Wright State Theatre will present Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama, Sweat, as its first play of 2022, running February 3-13th. As if lifted from our own local headlines, this gripping drama takes us into the lives of middle-American industrial workers facing the end of their livelihoods as their factory jobs disappear and their families and friendships struggle to survive. Lynn Nottage has written an exquisite, devastating contemporary tragedy. Set, in one of the poorest cities in America (Reading, Pennsylvania), a group of down-and-out factory workers struggle to keep their present lives in balance, ignorant of the financial devastation looming in their near future. Based on Nottage’s extensive research and interviews with residents of Reading, Sweat is a bracing and topical reflection of the present and poignant outcome of America’s economic decline.
L to R: Jacob Jones, Marcus Antonio, Tommy Cole, Madyson McCabe, Elaine Mueller, Zavi Odetta. Photo Credit: Wright State Theatre
Shaun Patrick Tubbs
Visiting Guest Director Shaun Patrick Tubbs says, “SWEAT talks about people who don’t often get a voice. Those are the ones who tend to be affected most by the world around them. Often the choices we make are for survival, not because we want them. But, it’s because we feel they are our only choice. The truth of the matter is, until you’ve had everything you know taken away, you don’t know what choice you would make. And that’s what they’re going through in this play.”
Tubbs is a New York City-based director whose work has been seen at the Juilliard School, New York Theatre Workshop, The Signature Theatre (Arlington, VA), and many other theatres and opera companies nationally. He is also a graduate of Wright State’s BFA Acting program and has been seen locally in productions at The Human Race Theatre Company, among others. When asked about what it’s like to be back at his alma mater, Mr. Tubbs says, “I thought it would feel that so much time had passed – given that it’s been just about twenty years since I graduated. But it doesn’t feel that way. Instead, I feel I’ve stepped into somewhere familiar that’s reminded me of why I do what I do, because it’s about learning how to learn. My hope is that I can help these students realize the gap between where they are now and where they want to be – their dream – is much smaller than I thought it was when I was a student at Wright State.”
Sweat features scenic design by guest artist Michael Brewer, costume design by student Taylor Dumas, and Lighting Design by Matthew Benjamin.
Playwright Lynn Nottage is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama, receiving the award in 2009 for Ruined and again in 2017 for Sweat. Her other major works include the play, Intimate Apparel, now being adapted as an opera, composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, having its premiere at the Lincoln Center Theatre. She is also the librettist for the new Broadway musical, MJ: The Musical, recounting the life of pop sensation, Michael Jackson.
Sweat runs from February 3rd through 13th in Wright State University’s Festival Playhouse (Creative Arts Center). Patrons, cast and crew are required to wear masks at all times.
Tickets can be purchased at:
(937) 775-2500 box office
The last week of January has been designated Restaurant Week since 2005. Running through January 3oth, local eateries offering 3 course meal deals starting at $20.22. Over the years, price points have stretched to $25.22 and $35.22. This year a couple of restaurants are blowing the roof off the pricing with Roost offering a 10oz New York Strip meal at $42.22. and Smith’s Boathouse has a Filet Mignon* & Scallops dinner for 52.22. On the other end of the budget, Bunkers is offering dinner for 2 at $20.22 and $25.22, while Nick’s has dinner for 2 at 2 For $ 32.22. Meadowlark is offering a twist by offering a brunch for dinner menu. You can check all menu’s and hours 
Dayton Battle of the Bands launched in January of 2020, ran 6 weeks, and concluded before the pandemic started. Organizers were unable to host the competition in 2021 due to the shutdown, so they are extra excited to be hosting this series once again.
“Despite ‘battle’ being in the name, this is actually a really friendly competition and a great way for bands to network with each other and get feedback from the judges,” Carli Dixon, owner of The Brightside, shared with us.
The Human Race Theatre Company Board of Trustees, the Artistic Director Search Committee and Executive Director, Kappy Kilburn, are pleased to announce the appointment of Emily N. Wells as The Human Race’s next Artistic Director. The Search Committee, comprised of artists, community leaders, Board members and Human Race staff voted unanimously to appoint Wells after a thorough nationwide search that began last summer.