Zoetic Stage and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County are proud to present Stripped, a world premiere about a woman’s struggle for true freedom written by Christopher Demos-Brown, the author of the award-winning plays Fear Up Harsh and Captiva. Playing November 5 – 22, 2015 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House), Stripped launches Zoetic Stage’s 5th anniversary season at the Arsht Center and continues the Center’s momentous 10th anniversary season and highly-acclaimed 2015-2016 Theater Up Close Series.
Directed by Stuart Meltzer, Zoetic Stage’s Carbonell and Silver Palm Award-winning Artistic Director, Stripped is the story of Maria “Masha” Mikhailovich (Lindsey Corey), an immigrant, an exotic dancer, and a mother. Devastated when the State takes custody of her daughter, Masha must struggle against all odds to reunite her family. Stripped is a moving, irreverent portrait of one woman’s quest for true freedom.
Asked to describe the genesis of Stripped, playwright Christopher Demos-Brown said, “Stripped was inspired by an actual child dependency case in California. I felt compelled to write about it because the case poses such poignant, relevant questions in our age of “helicopter” and “free-range” parenting.”
“Zoetic Stage is incredibly thrilled to be returning to our home at the Arsht Center for our fifth anniversary season,” says Artistic Director Stuart Meltzer. “The development of new work is central to the mission of Zoetic Stage, and we are so very proud to be producing the world premiere of this electrifying new play by our very own Christopher Demos-Brown. The season ahead is eclectic and daring, and Stripped is the perfect way to kick it off.”
Zoetic Stage was founded in 2010 to create fresh, bold interpretations of contemporary plays and musicals, and is dedicated to enhancing South Florida’s national artistic profile by producing regional premieres and developing new works to become part of the American stage repertoire. Zoetic Stage was named the Best Theater Company of 2014 by the Miami New Times, and has been nominated for an impressive 37 Carbonell Awards, including five for Best Production of the Year, and won ten of the coveted awards including 2014 Best Production of a Musical (Assassins). Zoetic Stage productions have received twelve Silver Palm Awards for Outstanding Achievement. Zoetic Stage is an Associate Member of the National New Play Network and a member of the South Florida Theater League. Visit www.zoeticstage.org for more information.
Set in the heart of downtown Miami and designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues. Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has emerged as a leader in presenting innovative programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity as well as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area. Spotlighting legends and serving as a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage, the Center presents nearly 500 events each year across its eight flexible, state-of-the-art performance spaces. The Center programs 12 signature series, including the largest jazz series in South Florida, the biggest flamenco festival on the East Coast, and a robust program of new theatrical works as well as free programming for the community and an arts education program that serves nearly 30,000 children each year. As Miami’s new Town Square, the Arsht Center also houses Brava!, a fine dining restaurant; the Café at Books & Books in the historic Carnival Tower and a weekly Farmers Market.
Stripped is sponsored by Robin Ellen Meyers. The Arsht Center’s 2015-2016 Theater Up Close Season is supported by Adrianne and Jerry L. Cohen, Alan and Diane Lieberman and the Hotel Croydon Miami Beach. Tickets to Stripped are $50-$55* and may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org.
