'Pray To Ball' Set For An April 26 World Premiere

Skylight Theatre presents the World Premiere of

                    PRAY TO BALL  
                                      by Amir Abdullah

Seldom in American culture has this controversial subject been brought to the stage. Amir Abdullah’s distinctive play ignites a passionate conversation on contemporary attitudes and prejudices toward religious choices in the United States. The Skylight Theatre Company, nationally recognized and committed to the development of new works that resonate with Los Angeles’ richly diverse population, presents their second World Premiere production during this 2014 inaugural season.

As the NBA draft approaches, two Superstar college basketball players and the controversial world of Islam collide in this face-off between life long friends. Beyond money, fame, and flesh…a look at living in America today.

Bill Mendieta (Director) has worked with Dakin Matthews’ Andak Stage Company, Actors' Coop and the Antaeus Company (of which he is also a member). Bill co-wrote and directed the comedy web series, Mob Boss Associate, as well as directing the plays Beauty Brains, and Personality (world premiere), Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Bill’s film credits as a director include, Dodgy Dish, Slow Dance, and in-house projects for the Mattel Corporation. His staging and multimedia credits include Tango del Cielo, which is currently on tour in North America. Bill has taught numerous workshops for the Music Center in LA (Will & Company), Shakespeare At Play, The Antaeus Company, and New York’s Joffrey Ballet. 

“Timing is right, in the world, for this project and particularly for this generation. Choosing faith, as we become adults in this insta-tweet culture of celebrity and media, brings new kinds of challenges. The stigma of Islam becomes the focus here, but the story clearly poses questions needing to be considered by all of us, regardless our own beliefs.”
– Bill Mendieta, Director

Amir Abdullah (Playwright) launches his first full-length play at the Skylight Theatre as a result of being chosen (from hundreds of submissions) for one of the award winning company’s noted development programs. He describes the virtual absence of Islam from the American artistic narrative as becoming the inspiration for this play.

PRAY TO BALL opens April 26th and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm through May 25, 2014. The Skylight Theatre Complex is located at 1816 1/2 N. Vermont, LA, 90027. Tickets are ($30 - $34). Reservations: 213-761-7061 or online at http://skylighttix.com     
                  
“As an American-born Orthodox Muslim, I have struggled with my identity and faith, through my art. Some argue that being an artist is un-Islamic or unstable. Perhaps that’s the reason for a virtual absence of Islam from the American artistic narrative,” says playwright Amir Abdullah.

SKYLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY is about discovering, developing and producing new, impassioned theater while nurturing and educating the artists that create it. We offer writers a home to test and refine their work through our programs, and before a live audience, giving voice to new perspectives of American life. We are a vibrant and expanding family of artists, our goal is to help establish Los Angeles as a center of innovation in the American Theatre. Skylight's world premiere production of HERMETICALY SEALED was on the LA Times Top Ten Plays for 2011. In 2013, our productions of YEARS TO THE DAY, OPEN HOUSE, and SEXSTING were on the LA Weekly’s list of Top Ten Plays for the year. Since 2011 Skylight Theatre Company has presented works from more than 120 local writers as part of 74 staged readings, 19 World Premiere productions, and 28 workshop presentations.

CAST:
Amir Abdullah (as Lou), Rickie Peete (as Bilal), Y’lan Noel (as Hakeem), Ulka Simone Mohanty (Tamana), and Lindsey Beeman (as Nika) 

PRODUCTION TEAM: Includes Jeff McLaughlin (Lighting/Set), Hana Sooyen Kim (Projection Design), Spencer Lee (Videographer), and Sara Ruttinger (Costume Design)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PraytoBall
Twitter: SkylightThtr @SkylightThtr and #PrayToBall @praytoball
Parking: http://skylighttheatrecompany.com/index.php/about-us/directions-a-parking-info       
    
DESCRIPTION: Seldom explored in American culture, Amir Abdullah’s distinctive play probes the spectrum of a young man’s faith, and a county’s prejudice toward it. As the NBA draft approaches, two Superstar college basketball players and the controversial world of Islam collide in this face-off between life long friends. Beyond money, fame, and flesh…a look at living in America today.

PRAY TO BALL opens April 26th and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm through May 25, 2014. The Skylight Theatre Complex is located at 1816 1/2 N. Vermont, LA, 90027. Tickets are ($30 - $34). Reservations: 213-761-7061 or online at http://skylighttix.com