The First Grade
World Premiere
by Joel Drake Johnson
directed by Tom Ross
January 22, 2010 - February 28, 2010
In this World Premiere, lauded Chicago playwright Joel Drake Johnson explores the risks and rewards of engaging in personal relationships in this new millenium. The First Grade, which originated as one of Aurora’s Global Age Project winners last season, follows the humorous (and perilous) journey of a schoolteacher whose attempt to rescue her physical therapist from her own problems contributes to a chaotic whirlwind of boisterous first graders, a depressed daughter, a Ritalin-medicated grandson, and a live-in ex-husband.
Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross directs this new play from Johnson, whom The Chicago Reader declared “balances gallows humor with acute insight and compassion. He creates characters so real you wonder what will happen to them after the final blackout.”
"An incisive comedy of today's manners." - SF Chronicle (read the full review)
"The First Grade deserves a gold star!" - San Jose Mercury News (read the full review)
"Funny and heartening." - Theater Dogs (read the full review)
Videos
The ex's new belle
Sydney (Julia Brothers) and her ex-husband Nat (Warren David Keith) get into a heated discussion of Nat's new girlfriend while daughter Angie (Rebecca Schweitzer) watches in horror.
At the physical therapist's
Sydney (Julia Brothers) and Mora (Tina Sanchez) meet for the first time, and we learn a little more about Sydney's life.
Con - ge - ni - al
Sydney (Julia Brothers) teaches her first-grade class how to behave while she's away.
Stark Silver Creek Interview with Julia Brothers
Loni from "All Things West Coast" supersite Stark Silver Creek sat down with First Grade Star Julia Brothers to talk about the play and Julia's own history.
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Biographies
Production Photos
Program Notes
Related Events
Friday Forum: Parenting and Becoming a Good Example
Post-show Friday, February 12th
This will be the springboard for our discussion addressing our community concern surrounding being a role model and setting a good example for the next generation, at home and at school. 20 minutes, led by Education Director, Michael Mansfield
Tuesday Talk-back
Post-show Tuesday, February 16th
Groups can enhance their experience at Aurora by requesting a post-show Talk-Back. Facilitated by the group’s coordinator or by Aurora’s Education Director, twenty minute post-show Talk-Backs may include a dialogue with the cast, director, or designers. The opportunity for the group to discuss their reflections on the play they just experienced, as well as, the natural interest of the audience in the actors’ experiences of working on this particular script, often shapes the focus of the discussion. Groups of 20 or more should request well in advance their interest to include actors, director, stage manager, or designers at their Talk-Back.
Stimulus Recovery Night - What We Learned in First Grade about Family and Fortunes
Post-show Friday, February 26th
Everything we ever needed to know we learned in first grade. When did all this early learning get so intertwined in American dramatic history and get so tied to families and fortunes? 20 minutes, led by Education Director, Michael Mansfield
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