It CAN Happen Here! - Hallie Flanagan and the Federal Theatre Project
by Melody Brooks, Katrin Hilbe, Tess Howsam, Daniel Jacobs, Susan Quinn
directed by Katrin Hilbe
March 6-30, 2025
It CAN Happen Here! is a multi-media experience that weaves together three strands of storyline: the achievements of the Federal Theatre Project, which employed tens of thousands of artists from every demographic working in every theatrical genre and which brought performances into every corner of the U.S.; the ground-breaking work of its fearless leader, Hallie Flanagan, whose vision shaped the story-telling and aesthetics of the most impactful productions; and the political consequences, which encompassed the breaking of racial and social barriers and earned the disapprobation of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), whose legacy of attacks on Theatre and the Arts continue to this day.
Ground-breaking artists from NPTC's and CLLIC's creative teams are collaborating with director Katrin Hilbe, to take the audience on a fast paced and stylized journey from HUAC hearings to Federal theatre performances, from Hallie's home life to labor strikes, from the beginnings of an impossible undertaking to a triumphant success to a devastating loss. Penelope Rose Deen is Choreographer/Movement Director. Award-winning Production Designer Tess Howsam is creating a world of visual storytelling inspired by the innovative theatrical designs of the Federal Theatre and its Living Newspapers that includes shadow puppets, hand-crafted props and a wealth of images from the Library of Congress archive. Gaby FeBland is collaborating on the Puppets & Props; Sara Gosses (Lighting), Matsy StinsoN (Costumes), Andy EVAN Cohen (Sound) and Erwin Falcon (Projections) complete the design team. Josh Iacovelli is Technical Director; Cat Gillespie is Production Stage Manager.
All performances are at Culture Lab LIC, 5-25 46th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101.
The Culture Lab LIC is in walking distance of the 7, M, G, and E trains. The LIRR is also near the Culture Lab; it can be accessed at the Long Island City stop.
WHEN: March 6-30, 2025
Thursday - Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, March 29 & 30 at 2:30 p.m.
TICKETS:
$28/$20 for students and seniors; TDF accepted for selected performances
$18 for Groups of 10 or more
Cash & credit cards accepted at the box office; please note, tickets are based on availability and are not guaranteed.
cast & crew
CreATIVE & technical TEAM
Producer/Co-Creator/Dramaturg: Melody Brooks
Co-Creator/Director/Dramaturg: Katrin Hilbe
Co-Creator/Production Designer:Tess Howsam
Co-Creator: DANIEL JACOBS
Co-Creator: SUSAN QUINN
Choreographer & Movement Director: Penelope Deen
Costume Design: Matsy Stinson
Lighting Design: Sara Gosses
Sound Design & Projections Management: Andy Evan Cohen
Projections Design: Erwin Falcon
Puppets & Props Design: Gaby FeBland
Technical Director: Josh Iacovelli
Production Stage Manager: Cat Gillespie
Marketing Director: Dawn DeVito
Assistant Stage Manager: Ximena Morellon
Cast
THERESA ROSE as Hallie Flanagan
Enesmble: Max Bank, Allie Beltran, DJ Davis, Emma Sarah Davis, Chase Lee, Megan Lomax, Jomack Miranda, Nick Radu-Blackburn, Cheyenne Springette
Hallie Understudy: Jade anderson
This production is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature, as well as the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council.