Join us for a compelling conversation with the creative teams behind the New Repertory Theatre's fall shows: A Raisin in the Sun and DIASPORA! The first is a Tony award-winning classic by groundbreaking playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and the second is a world premiere by Phaedra Michelle Scott. Both grapple with history and legacy, families - biological and chosen, and race and identity (in Chicago and Boston, respectively).
About the Panelists:
- Lois Roach (she/her) - Director of A Raisin in the Sun: Lois Roach (she/her) is a writer, award-winning producer and stage director. Her screenplay, Waking Up, was a semifinalist for the 2021 New York Women in Film & Television Writers Lab. She is a Senior Lecturer in Theatre Studies at Wellesley College. Lois has produced a series of programs for the Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket, which address the role of women in the 2020 U.S. Election; the impact of racism on the health care response to Covid-19; and the importance of Juneteenth for Boston’s Black community and its allies in the antislavery movement. Her play Living On... is under agreement with Concord Theatricals and has been performed around the country. Other plays, Mothers of Gods, Mothers of War and The Emancipation of Mandy and Miz Ellie, were premiered at the Boston Center for Arts. As a stage director, Lois received the IRNE Best Director Award for the Lyric Stage production of The Old Settler which also received the IRNE Award for Best Production and the Elliot Norton Award for Best Production (Small Theater). In addition to the New Rep, Lois has worked with the Lyric Stage Company, the Black Folks Theatre Company, Company One Theatre, the Opera Providence, RI, Our Place Theatre’s African American Theatre Festival and the Wellesley Rep Theater. Company One Theatre established The Lois Roach Theatre Community Award, which has been presented to individuals in recognition of outstanding commitment to the Boston theatre community. As the former Director of Public Affairs for WBZ-TV and Radio, Lois won an Emmy award for spots written and produced about AIDS. She was the coordinating producer for public service campaigns such as Stop the Violence and Time to Care. For 16 years, she was a live event producer with First Night Boston. Says Roach about her work with New Rep: I am here because the fight to keep our theaters open and alive is real. It has never been more important to reimagine, gather, and entertain. I am pleased to be part of this process.
- James Cannon (he/him) - Sound Designer for A Raisin in the Sun and DIASPORA!: James is a freelance audio engineer, sound designer, composer, and music producer based in Watertown, MA. He is thrilled to be making his debut at the New Repertory Theatre this season! In recent years, his work has been heard at The Umbrella Stage Company, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Greater Boston Stage Company, Fresh Ink Theater Company, Moonbox Productions, Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music, Wellesley Theater Project, The Hovey Players, Boston Arts Academy, and many more on productions of all sizes. Outside of theater, he mixes audio for concerts and corporate events and also produces hip hop music for local artists like Red Shaydez, Brandie Blaze, Joe Grizzly, J. Jordan. Somewhere in there he finds time for a little sleep.
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Lauren Stetson (she/her) - Lighting Designer for A Raisin in the Sun and DIASPORA!: Lauren is so very excited to be working with New Rep Theatre on these productions. She lives in Melrose as a freelance lighting designer and guest lecturer/adviser for Wellesley College. She is currently spending her days with her four children. Past credits include Mary Poppins and Les Mis with HCST, show management for Port Lighting Systems, and Assistant Lighting Director for the Boston Ballet.