New Works Initiative
our third season-long partnership with
the Process Series
directed by Joseph Megel
Yes, . . . and
presented by
The Process Series in partnernship with StreetSigns Center for Literature and Performance
Clara Yang, Ex Machina visual art by Xuan, photo by Sara Katz
Performance Schedule
September 13, 2024 - March 22, 2025
Swain Hall Black Box Theatre
101 E. Cameron Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Sept. 13-14
Live from Chapel Hill! A Night of Sketch and Improv Comedy from SNL’s Bryan Tucker and featuring Asian AF
(TICKETED EVENT at Current Art Space, 123 W. Franklin St., Chapel HIll, NC 27516)
Oct. 11-12
Offering created and performed by cellist Okorie (OkCello) Johnson
Nov. 7-10
Changing Same: The Cold-Blooded Murder of Booker T. Spicely by Mike Wiley and Howard L. Craft
(TICKETED EVENT Thursday through Sunday)
Feb. 7-8
Sunnyland, a new rock banjo opera by Stephan John Meyers (a.k.a. Breadfoot)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 1
The Other American, a new play by D.W. Gregory
Mar. 21-22
Ex Machina created by Clara Yang (Faculty Spotlight)
All performances are at 7:30 p.m. Discussions follow.
Okorie "OKCello" Johnson. Photo by Steve West
Join us for the Process Series's 17th season, Yes, . . . and.
Most of you probably know the prime directive in comedy improvision is never to say “no” to a partner. You always find a way to say, “Yes, and . . .” to create a path forward, rather than a dead end. It isn’t hard to see the need for that in improvisation, nor in our public discourse. And sometimes, when a performance makes us see something in a new way, we have the opportunity to challenge ourselves: yes, and what are we going to do about it?
In this our 17th season, all of our artists are sharing deeply meaningful work, leaving us with the question, “Where do we go from here—how do we move forward, having just experienced this work?” Rather than focusing on our deep divisions, they take us to evocative worlds of exploration that leave us open to new possibilities and empower us to take action—perhaps even action that could shift the conversation from insistence on one’s own rightness to a focus on what might be possible—greater understanding, leading to more working together, more paths forward.
Comedy writer Brian Tucker and the improvisational comedians of Asian AF ask us to laugh at ourselves. Yes, and let that laughter unfreeze our paralysis and hopelessness. Playwrights Mike Wiley and Howard L. Craft, along with DW Gregory, make us aware of painful historical truths, yes, and ask us to engage in meaningful personal action aimed at preventing a repetition of the injustices of the past. Musicians Clara Yang and Okorie Johnson create transformative acoustic worlds, yes, and give us a way of envisioning new ones. Yes, and in all the years of developing new works for the stage, I don’t believe we have ever attempted a musical centered on the world of a punk-rock loving banjo player, like the one to which Stephan John Meyers (a.k.a. Breadfoot) introduces us.
In our 17th year of introducing our audiences to new artistic work, we want—as always—to give the artists creative space to bring something totally new to the world and give our audiences a glimpse into the creative process. Yes, and we know that your presence is the element that can make all the difference in the creation of something that didn’t exist before. We can’t wait to share this work with you, and see where it takes us.
Poet and playwright Howard L. Craft. Photo by Sylvia Freeman
Post-Show Discussions
At Swain Hall Black Box Theatre in Chapel Hill
Immediately following each performance, we ask our audiences to join in the creative process, providing feedback critical to the development of the work as it moves forward. All performances and discussions are free and open to the public, with the exception of Live from Chapel Hill! and Changing Same: The Cold-Blooded Murder of Booker T. Spicely.
Dedicated to the development of new and significant works in the performing arts, the Process Series features professionally mounted, developmental presentations of new works in progress. The mission of the Series is to illuminate the ways in which artistic ideas take form, examine the creative process, and offer audiences the opportunity to follow artists and performers as they explore and discover.
The Venue
For the Swain Hall Black Box Theatre parking is often available in the Swain Hall Parking lot right next to the theatre after 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the weekends. For the times when it is reserved, it is always good to have a back up plan.
When the Swain lot is not available, most other campus parking areas are available for parking without a permit. Check this link for .pdf maps to parking:
https://move.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/248/2014/11/parking-zone-map.pdf
And this link for a more interactive map and more information about the rules for weeknight parking: https://maps.unc.edu/parking/weeknight-parking/
There are also many places to park, within easy walking distance for those who are able, in downtown Chapel Hill.
The theatre is wheelchair accessible.
If you have questions or concerns, please be in touch with us at StreetSignsCenter@gmail.com and we will do our best to get back to you promptly.
Some projects were supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Affairs, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts; the Chatham Arts Council; and the Manbites Dog Theater Fund.