Ithaca's Kitchen Theatre Company is partnering with NYC's Daughters of Troy to produce a reading of Natural Shocks, a new play by Lauren Gunderson on April 21st at 4 pm. The show, based on Hamlet's "To be or not to be," follows a woman waiting out an imminent tornado in her basement, and grappling with the reality of gun violence. The reading at the Kitchen, directed by Aubrey Saverino and featuring Brooke M. Haney, is one of over 50 that are happening all over the country that weekend, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine attack. Tickets are a suggested donation and all proceeds will be donated to The Advocacy Center in Tompkins County.

Lauren M. Gunderson, the most produced playwright in America of 2017, has created this campaign of theater activism against gun violence. "I was a junior in high school when Columbine happened in 1999 and it spurred me into activism instantly," Gunderson said. "Use this play to start conversations, to build networks of support, to gather people and give them some place to go to congregate and say enough. We are the undeniable force of nature that will light up this darkness and change it forever."

Based on Hamlet's "To be or not to be," Natural Shocks is a new 65-minute, one-woman tour-de-force play that bursts to life when we meet a woman waiting out an imminent tornado in her basement. She overflows with quirks, stories, and a final secret that puts the reality of guns in America in your very lap. The play is part confessional, part stand up, and part reckoning.

This reading of Natural Shocks marks the first collaboration between Kitchen Theatre and Daughters of Troy. Daughters of Troy Artistic Director, Aubrey Saverino, will direct Brooke M. Haney in the reading. Saverino remarked that "Female-focused stories and theater activism are central to Daughters of Troy's mission, which is why we are thrilled to partner with the Kitchen Theatre to present Lauren's play. It is a gift to tell this story, along with so many other artists across the country, to communities filled with change-makers."

Producing Artistic Director M. Bevin O'Gara, who is in her first season leading the Kitchen Theatre, said "When we were first approached about partnering on this project, to be honest, we didn't have time to add another program to our season. But, some projects are just so important that you make the time, and find the space. After reading Natural Shocks I had to find a way. It is exactly the kind of play that we do here at the Kitchen: bold, intimate and engaging. And by partnering with Daughters of Troy, we are ensuring that more women get included in this important collaboration between theatre and activism. We are honored to be the company hosting this conversation in Ithaca."

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