On Thursday, Oct. 16, Syracuse Stage will join 600 theaters nationwide for Theatre
Communications Group's "Free Night of Theatre 2008," giving theater-goers across the
nation the opportunity to attend live theater completely free of charge. Patrons will have the
opportunity to see "Tales from the Salt City" at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, at Syracuse
Stage, 820 E. Genesee St.
Tickets are required and may be obtained by visiting http://www.freenightoftheatre.org
beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3. Tickets are limited to two per person and are expected
to go fast.
"Free Night of Theatre" was introduced in 2005 as a three-city pilot program with the aim of
attracting new audiences and raising awareness of America's nonprofit, professional
theaters. The program has been extremely successful and this season added theaters
throughout New York State.
"Syracuse Stage is extremely pleased to be joining the program this season," says Jeffrey
Woodward, managing director. "This effort has been very effective in attracting new and
diverse audiences, and studies indicate that once these individuals are introduced to our
theaters, they come back."
"Free Night of Theatre" audiences at Syracuse Stage will have the opportunity to see "Tales
from the Salt City," a world premiere work conceived and directed by Ping Chong. The
production features seven residents of Syracuse-both recent arrivals and longstanding
residents-who will voice each other's rich and complex histories, extraordinary experiences
and cultural identities.
For tickets and a complete listing of participating cities and theaters, visit the national
website at http://www.freenightoftheatre.org.
Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is the nation's service organization for America's
nonprofit theaters. TCG's mission is to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional,
not-for-profit American theater. TCG initiatives include a variety of artistic, management,
international and advocacy programs. Its many publications offer a national resource for
reference, opinion and debate on theater and the performing arts today. TCG serves nearly
500 member theaters nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.tcg.org.
"Tales from the Salt City" is a powerful exploration of the changing face of Syracuse
through an interview-based theatrical work that presents first-hand narratives of citizens of
Syracuse. Created by theatrical innovator Chong and constructed as a chamber piece of
storytelling, the performance features real people telling their personal experiences of
creating cultural identity out of rich and complex histories. Chong continues the compelling
work he has done throughout the United States, exploring the divergent lives that make up
our communities.
For "Tales from the Salt City" regular ticket information, contact the Syracuse Stage Box
Office in person at 820 E. Genesee St., via telephone at (315) 443-3275 or online at
http://www.SyracuseStage.org.
In cooperation with the world premiere production of "Tales from the Salt City" at Syracuse
Stage, Chong will speak on the SU campus on Oct. 6, as part of the 2008 Syracuse
Symposium. A semester-long intellectual and artistic festival, Syracuse Symposium invites
the SU and Central New York communities to explore this year's theme, "migration,"
through engaging lectures, concerts, exhibitions and award-winning films. It is presented by
SU's College of Arts and Sciences. For more information, visit
http://www.syracusesymposium.org.
