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Speech and Debate

Presented by Stages Repertory Theatre at Stages Repertory Theatre -- John and Jean Yeager Theatre

March 17-April 11, 2010

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Stages Repertory Theatre presents the regional premiere of Speech and Debate, by Stephen Karam. March 17 - April 11, 2010.

Sex scandals. Political corruption. Totally unfair casting in the spring musical. At least some things about high school never change! Stephen Karam’s highly acclaimed comedy Speech and Debate, opening March 19 at Stages Repertory Theatre, takes a fresh, unsentimental look at 21st century teens. Kenn McLaughlin directs a fresh-faced cast (Michael McClure, Ashtyn Sonner, Garret Storms and Kim Tobin) drawn primarily from Stages' ongoing internship program with the Sam Houston State University Department of Theatre and Dance. The regional premiere of Speech & Debate runs in Stages’ Arena March 17 – April 11, 2010.

Speech & Debate premiered at Roundabout Theater in 2007 as part of the Underground series and immediately won critical and popular acclaim, prompting a wide array of regional theatre and university productions in 2009-2010.

The New York Times said "A plot description doesn't hint at how funny and cliche-free this...little show is... The play's real accomplishment is its picture of the borderland between late adolescence and adulthood, where grown-up ideas and ambition coexist with childish will and bravado..." and Variety said Speech & Debate is "bristling with vitality, wicked humor, terrific dialogue and a direct pipeline into the zeitgeist of contemporary youth."

Karam tells it like it is, creating three supremely believable teens who grapple with amazingly adult issues. Solomon is an uptight but brilliant reporter for the school paper; Howie is gay, new in town, and just wants to graduate; and Diwata has her eye on Broadway stardom—but first she needs to get cast in the school musical. The three are drawn together online when they unwittingly uncover a sex scandal involving a teacher at their own school, and they sign up for the newly formed speech & debate team to take their grievances public, BIG TIME. Their hard-won exposé culminates in a time-traveling George Michael-inspired musical version of Miller’s The Crucible.

In addition to Speech & Debate, Karam is the co-author of columbinus (2006 Helen Hayes nomination), which ran off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop following a co-production by Round House/Perseverance Theatres. He is currently working on a new play commission for Roundabout Theatre Company and a screenplay adaptation of Speech & Debate for Overture Films. Karam's writing has also appeared in The Advocate and online at McSweeney's. He is a graduate of Brown University.

Stages will host several additional events and outreach activities in conjunction with Speech & Debate:

ACLU Play Group with Dr. Richard Pesikoff
March 17 at Stages
7:30 PM performance with discussion and light refreshments to follow
Single tickets $40, or get the ACLU Play Group subscription for $105 (pro-rated)

The ACLU of Texas continues its outstanding speaker series created to complement Stages’ 2009-2010 plays. Dr. Richard Pesikoff is a board certified adult and child psychiatrist, a clinical professor at Baylor College of Medicine, and recently was named one of Texas’ Super Doctors by Texas Monthly.

Sticks and Stones Play Reading
March 27 at Stages
2:00 PM reading with discussion to follow
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Touching on similar themes to those of Speech & Debate, young playwright Avital Stolar’s Sticks & Stones was developed here in Houston through the Alley Theatre HYPE program and will be directed by TUTS Associate Artistic Director Roy Hamlin. Alley Theatre Education Director Joe Angel Babb will moderate a post-show discussion between the audience, a student panel, and representatives from HATCH, a social and support group for GLBT youth in Houston.

Family Identity Lobby Exhibit
March 17 - April 11 at Stages
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This collection of writing and thoughts on the theme of “Identity and Perspective” was born out of an interactive workshop with high school students and their parents. Participants were asked to explore the ways in which they define their identities, and how that relates to their family's expectations, thus creating a dialogue between young people and their parents. Photographer Bruce Bennett snapped family portraits of the participants to round out the exhibition.

Stages Repertory Theatre
Characterized by courage, generosity, ingenuity, and intimacy, Stages Repertory Theatre advances theatre and enlivens culture by producing new work, interpreting established work in new ways, and nurturing talent for the performing arts field. In addition to its MainStage season of plays, Stages presents the EarlyStages series, introducing young audiences to the power and magic of live theatre. Stages also offers a range of additional education and outreach programs that encourage conversation about important ideas and issues, provide insight into other cultures and viewpoints, and help develop each new generation of citizens, artists and audiences.

Now entering its 31st season, Stages is a member of the Fresh Arts Coalition and a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for not-for-profit theatres. Stages operates under an agreement with Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.