Ten Thousand Things Shares Plans for its 30th Anniversary Season
Ten Thousand Things Artistic Director Marcela Lorca today announced plans for the 2023-24 season—its 30th anniversary season—featuring three touring productions and a live reading of Ten Thousand Voices.
“Connection is our theme this coming season,” says Lorca. “We human beings naturally gravitate towards each other in search of belonging, community, and understanding of ourselves and others. Our thirst drives us to search in familiar and unfamiliar spheres for that which gives our lives purpose and wellbeing. This coming season’s stories speak of unique opportunities, of finding love in unexpected places, of surprises that may make us uncomfortable but also teach us to be resilient and generous. These plays invite us into worlds where the levity of comedy dances with the depth of humanity. We in turn invite our audiences to explore unique connections that transform, heal, and contribute to healthy communities.”
The season opens with a tour of TWELFTH NIGHT October 5–November 19. Shakespeare’s play explores love and power through the twists and turns of mistaken identities, wonderfully tangling then untangling relationships to reveal deep messages about belonging and the bravery it takes to reveal your true self. Marcela Lorca directs the show, with music by Peter Vitale.
TEN THOUSAND VOICES returns December 4–10 to affirm and reflect the voices of our community partners by inviting participants to respond to writing prompts. This year the program invites teens to share their creativity and voices.
In February 2024, TTT is thrilled to take THE HATMAKER’S WIFE, by Lauren Yee, on tour. The show had originally been scheduled to tour in spring 2020 but was canceled due to the pandemic. A young woman moves in with her boyfriend expecting domestic bliss but instead finds discomfort. The walls in her strange new home begin talking, revealing the magical tale of an old hat-maker and his long-suffering wife who runs away with his favorite hat. This whimsical and surreal story bends time and space to redefine the idea of family, home, and true love itself. Directed by Joel Sass, the play tours February 8–March 17.
The 2023-24 season ends with THE SPITFIRE GRILL, based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff with music and book by James Valcq and lyrics and book by Fred Alley. Directed by Marcela Lorca with music by Peter Vitale, the musical tours April 25–June 9. A woman released from prison seeks a fresh start in a small town in Wisconsin. She finds a job at the only restaurant in the struggling town, the Spitfire Grill, which is up for sale. With no interested buyers, Hannah decides to raffle the restaurant off to the person who writes the best essay about why they want it. Soon, mail starts arriving by the wheelbarrow. This inspiring musical celebrates fresh starts and the power of what one person can do.
In addition, TTT will celebrate its 30th anniversary with an event September 18 in Westminster Hall at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The event, “Ten Thousand Things Celebrates 30 Years of Sharing Stories,” will features stories that bring together our artistic community, community partners, and the friends who make TTT’s work possible. A generous donor will match contributions up to $50,000 in honor of this anniversary. Tickets will go on sale in this summer.
Tickets for TWELFTH NIGHT go on sale in September.