Just a few words critics used to describe our 2016-2017 Season at Azuka - it was indeed a triumph - as was our Box Office experiment in Pay What You Decide. To cut to the chase, the results of this season compared with the previous season are incredible:

Attendance rose by 53%
Ticket income rose by 39%
1/3 of the audiences for each production were seeing their first Azuka Theatre production
The average ticket price rose an average of $3.00 from the 2015-2016 Season.
Shitheads was the highest grossing play in Azuka's history.

Are you freaking out right now? Because you should be - YOU made this happen! By placing our trust in our audiences and in the powerful voices of the artists we champion our Pay What You Decide initiative was a resounding success!

As we move into our 18th Season, PWYD returns! We are so proud to continue this program that gives you the freedom to choose what theater means to you. We know that our work won't disappoint. Three World Premiere plays by three Philadelphia playwrights, theater by Philadelphian's for Philadelphia.

OUR 18TH SEASON

We kick off our season with The Gap by Emma Goidel, an Orbiter 3 founding playwright. Directed by Rebecca Wright, The Gap tells the story of two sisters searching for the truth. Nicole thinks she was abducted by aliens. Lee thinks Nicole is insane. But Nicole is her sister, so Lee goes on a performance art journey to discover the truth about that strange moment in their life that neither of them can exactly name. A dark comedy about family secrets, performing, and sisterhood that asks what's ultimately worse: forgetting or remembering?

Up next, Artistic Associate Allison Heishman directs David Jacobi's Ready Steady Yeti Go. This will be Azuka's 7th New Professionals Production. In the aftermath of a hate crime, Junior High pariah Goon befriends one of the victims, Carly, the only black girl in school. While the town plans a rally "to destroy racism forever," a youthful romance blossoms and the two must navigate the pitfalls of falling in love while dealing with the town's prying eyes, especially those of Wikipedia Jones, the crime-solving son of the Chief of Police. Passive-aggressive antics, bad parental advice, and ill-informed gestures of kindness create a "White Guilt Perfect Storm" that threatens to make the course of true love a rocky road indeed.

The season wraps up with the highly anticipated new play Mrs. Harrison by Barrymore Award winning playwright and satire columnist R. Eric Thomas, directed by Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum. At their 10-year college reunion, Aisha and Holly meet by chance. Is this the first time or has it just been a long time? They can't agree. Aisha is a black, successful playwright; she's on the cover of the alumni magazine. Holly is a white, struggling stand-up comedian; she's here for the free drinks. They both have a story that they've been telling themselves about what happened all those years ago and they're both willing to fight for the truth, whatever that may be.

Azuka is a Resident Partner in The Theaters at The Drake and will continue to bring new work and new voices to our community. Join us on Hicks Street and decide for yourself what you think of this incredible selection new plays. Hope yo see you at the theater!

Reservations are live! Make yours today!

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