“Break Through,” a two-act theatrical production about being gay in America today, will be presented tonight through Sunday at the University of Central Florida.
Knight Allies at UCF is debuting “Break Through,” directed and produced by Gabrielle Shulruff and written by Alexandre Wall.
Here’s how the presenters describe the work:
The “Break Through” is more than just a play; it’s an idea, a belief and a mission to end the silence of LGBTQI indignations, civil rights violations, and the hate-motivated stigmas that plague the community. The “Break Through” production team collected stories, research, and interviews from one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country and transformed the raw material into heart-rending, eye-opening performance pieces that expose the everyday secrets of what it’s like to be queer in America in the 21st century.
“’Break Through’ illuminates social stigmas to break down the front wall that prevents a more diverse society of love and acceptance to exist, and is the first in a series of plays for social change,” says Shulruff, a fourth-year student double majoring in theater and event management.
"Break Through" runs Thursday-Sunday.
The show is at 8 p.m. at the Black Box theater of the UCF Conservatory Theatre, 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Tickets are available online at www.BreakThroughProduction.org. Admission is free for UCF students with Student ID, $5 general admission, $15 reserved seating, and $30 VIP reception to follow the Saturday, March 19, showing.
Beginning at 6 p.m. before each showing of “Break Through,” an art auction will take place. Hand-selected works of Tessa Barlotta, Tara Koenke, Kristopher Reynolds, and Natasha Brockman will be auctioned off on bid-sheets and given to the highest bidder after the show’s run ends on March 20.
100% of the proceeds from the ticket sales from “Break Through” and the “Break Through” art auction will benefit The Zebra Coalition of Orlando (http://www.zebrayouth.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides services and safe spaces to troubled LGBTQI youth.
The cast of “Break Through” features: Selena Bass, Christian Cheker, Michael Dritto, Austen Edwards, Jason Gootner, Harrison Grant, Bryant Hernandez, Margaret Hunsicker, Danielle Moses, Michael Rodney, Jayne Storcy, Katie Thayer, Leah Williams, and Veronica Zazzaro; with original music compositions written by Dani Shay and Edgar, Jr.; with spoken-word poetry written by Eden Wetherell.
“Break Through” is hosted by Knight Allies at UCF and sponsored by the UCF Office of Diversity Initiatives, Campus Activities Board, UCF Victim Services, Princeton Review and the Office of Instructional Resources.