First Look at Second Thought
Dallas' Second Thought Theatre lives up to provocative reputation in 2016 season
In his second season as artistic director of Second Thought Theatre, Alex Organ is continuing the company’s provocative reputation by announcing three challenging, contemporary plays for its upcoming season.
All area premieres, the three works run the gamut from religious fundamentalism gone wrong to the fallout from a childhood trauma to questions of gender identity. The three plays will be performed in STT’s regular space, Bryant Hall.
Martyr will start things off January 13 through February 6. Marius von Mayenburg’s examination of a boy who finds shelter — probably too much — in the words of the Old Testament topically asks audiences to think about what happens when people use fundamentalism as a weapon. It will be directed by Blake Hackler, who appeared in STT’s production of Cock in 2014 and helmed a fantastic staging of The Flick at Undermain Theatre this past January.
Next up is The Great God Pan, another from playwright Amy Herzog, the pen behind the chilling Belleville that STT recently produced. Starring Organ and STT favorite Drew Wall, this drama is about the unpredictability of memories and the consequences of when they fail us. It will run April 20 through May 14.
Closing out the season will be A Kid Like Jake, Daniel Pearle’s tackling of one couple who is trying to do what’s best for their son, who is more drawn to Cinderella than G.I. Joe. Jenny Ledel has been announced to star, so we’re counting down the days until it plays June 29 through July 23.
“Second Thought Theatre continues to produce intimate, performance-driven plays that invite audiences to reflect on the great social and moral questions of our time,” said Organ in the announcement. “Martyr, The Great God Pan, and A Kid Like Jake each tell incredibly topical stories that will, no doubt, evoke strong reactions.
“Giving North Texans a place to respond to what’s happening in the world around them and encouraging our audiences to engage one another after the fact is one of the driving forces behind our 2016 season.”
