The Actors’ Gang, a Los Angeles-based theatre company known for its contemporary pieces and unique acting techniques, returns to Hancher for the first time since 2006 to share American immigrant stories through their original play, The New Colossus.
Theater
The Actors’ Gang
The New Colossus
Presented by
Hancher
Tickets
ADULT: $20
COLLEGE STUDENT: $10
YOUTH: $10
Saturday, February 29, 2020, 7:30 pm
Performed in twelve languages (with English supertitles) with live music, poetry, and kinetic movement, The New Colossus asks an essential question: Who are we as a nation? The play explores the true stories of twelve people in the United States today because their families fled their countries of origin to escape oppression. Actors from around the world share the stage to tell heart-wrenching stories, weaving a single narrative of desperate people drawn to the promise of America.
Tim Robbins—who directed and co-wrote The New Colossus—will be in Iowa City for the performance and will lead a talk-back immediately after the play. He will invite audience members to share their family immigration stories.
Audio Description is available for the performance.
New! Preorder food from the Stanley Café!
Avoid the lines by making your food selections before you come to Hancher Auditorium. The Stanley Café will have staff members ready to get your order—including beverages you order when you pick up your food—fast!
Event Partners:
Richard and Vicki Siefers
Alan and Liz Swanson
News
Some sites may require subscription
The Daily Iowan - Thursday, February 27, 2020
The Gazette - Thursday, February 27, 2020
Amid the Melting Pot that it is America comes a play based on the ideals immortalized at the base of the Statue of Liberty. A play that finds the common thread of humanity coursing through the diversity of immigrant stories.
Iowa City Press-Citizen - Tuesday, February 25, 2020
The notion that our stories — varied and uniquely textured as they are — do more to unite than divide us is central to "The New Colossus," a touring performance being held at Hancher Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Little Village - Saturday, February 22, 2020
The New Colossus, directed and co-written by Academy Award-winning actor, Tim Robbins, was created in collaboration with the Actors’ Gang, the 39-year-old, Los Angeles-based company where he serves as artistic director. The troupe will be performing it at Hancher Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m., with Robbins in tow. Tickets are $10-20.
Iowa Public Radio - Thursday, February 13, 2020
Tim Robbins discusses "The New Colossus," a theatrical performance and story depicting the immigrant experience, with IPR's Charity Nebbe. The play shares its title with the sonnet written by American poet Emma Lazarus and was co-written by The Actors’ Gang and Tim Robbins. The story features twelve actors, in twelve different eras, telling their ancestor’s stories, in twelve different languages, about coming to the United States from all across the world.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Hancher in advance at (319) 335-1158.