FEBRUARY 14, 2019

MEMORIALIZING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING

Eight universities through the US presented stage readings of the award-winning, Off-Broadway play, CHURCH & STATE, which was presented in NY in 2017 and continues to be performed across the country.

Written by Jason Odell Williams, CHURCH & STATE tells the story of a gun-loving senator running for re-election. He examines his position on the second amendment following a shooting at his children’s school. The play explores how religion, guns and social media influence our political system.

University theaters that presented the reading include:

- University of Chicago
- UCLA
- Butler University in Indiana
- University of Kansas
- Tulane University
- Point Park University in Pittsburgh
- New World School of The Arts in Miami
- Elon University in North Carolina 

NewYorkRep partnered with the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, bradycampaign.org/bradycenter.  They provided speaks to lead talk-backs following each performance.   

"Church and State starts a much-needed dialogue about gun violence prevention. Using humor, we can dive into a tough topic and have meaningful conversations. With a gun violence prevention congress now in the House it is exciting that we can move from thoughts and prayers to action. We're excited to help facilitate this dialogue,” said Kyleanne Hunter, Vice President of Programs, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 

“On stage after stage lately, playwrights have been confronting such fears about gun violence, adding their works to a genre that has blossomed like a furious bruise in recent years. Together they tell a story that demands our willingness to listen, and to listen again.”

-The New York Times

“Theatre isn't just about performing for an audience. It’s about sending a message that will make the audience feel something and think critically. Theatre for social change not only inspires actors and audience members, but also becomes a step towards healing. It allows people to really hear a message clearly without any interruptions. The gun violence epidemic in our country has divided many Americans. Theatre brings us all together, blue or red, and allows us all to share moments of grief, love, and hope. Being able to direct this moving piece has helped in my healing process. I am forever grateful to Cathy and NewYorkRep for this opportunity to not only share a part of me with the world, but also to shed light on such an important topic. I hope that this piece brings the Elon community closer together, and that people approach Valentine's Day as a day of service, love, hope, and healing.”

-Kali Clougherty, Elon University Student Director of Reading, and Parkland Shooting Survivor. 

PRESS

PRESS FOR CHURCH & STATE (NATIONAL READING)

SPECTRUM 1 NEWS, 2/15/19
FEATURED ARTICLE/ VIDEO COVERAGE: “Parkland Shooting Victims’ Memories Honored Through UCLA Production”

SPECTRUM NEWS, 2/15/19
TV NEWS SEGMENT: “Elon University Play Commemorates Victims, Survivors of Parkland School Shooting”

BROADWAYWORLD, 02/14/19
FEATURE: “The UCLA School of Theater, Film And Television’s Department of theater Presents Church & State”

ELON NEWS NETWORK, 2/14/19
NEWS FEATURE: “Elon freshman directs play about gun violence one year after Parkland shooting”

FOX8 TV, NC, 2/14/19
TV NEWS SEGMENT: “Elon student who survived Stoneman Douglas massacre pushing for change through art”

PIX11 NEWS AT 10PM, 2/14/19
TV NEWS SEGMENT: Jason Odell Williams, Gayle Waxenberg, and participating students in the Church & State reading series marking the 1-year anniversary of the Parkland shooting.

Click to view and download this segment as it aired at 10:47PM.

SPECTRUM NEWS, 2/15/19
TV NEWS SEGMENT: “Elon University Play Commemorates Victims, Survivors of Parkland School Shooting”

THE TIMES NEWS, 2/14/19
PHOTOS OF READING: “PHOTOS: Reading of “Church & State” to commemorate Parkland”

CBS2 NEWS, WFMY TV, 02/14/19
TV NEWS SEGMENT: “Elon Student, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Alum Discusss One-Year Since Parkland Shooting”

WXII12, 02/13/19
TV NEWS SEGMENT:”Elon student who survived mass shooting in Florida remembering victims by directing play”

PLAYBILL, 2/11/19
NEWS FEATURE: “Free Reading of Jason Odell Williams’ Church & State Will Be Presented at UCLA – The February 14 reading is one of several to commemorate the anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.”

BROADWAYWORLD, 2/11/19
NEWS FEATURE: ” The UCLA School Of Theater, Film And Television’s Department Of Theater Presents CURCH & STATE”

TRIBLIVE, 2/11/19
CHURCH & STATE FEATURE: “Point Park will host free reading of ‘Church & State’ on Parkland shooting anniversary”

UCLA NEWSROOM, 2/11/19
NEWS FEATURE: “UCLA TFT to commemorate the Parkland Shooting with staged reading of the play “Church & State”- Free performance on Feb. 14 will be followed panel discussion about gun violence”

Pickup from this source:
SNEWSI, 2/11/19

THEATERMANIA, 2/7/19
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “Church & State Nationwide Readings Will Commemorate Parkland Shooting”

BROADWAYWORLD, 2/5/19
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “NewYorkRep & The Brady Center Present CHURCH & STATE Throughout The US To Commemorate The Parkland Shooting”