Echo Theater Collective Presents Exit Strategy

A Poignant Story of a Public School in a Throw-Away Society Debuts in Maywood

Echo Theater Collective kicks off its third season with Exit Strategy by Chicago playwright Ike Holter

The building might look condemned and the resources are beyond scarce, but when Tumbldn High School is slated for closure, the teachers, students and community decide they'll stop at nothing to save the school. Despite its appearance, Tumbldn is an essential asset in the community.

Directed by Kamau Maui Jones, Exit Strategy tells the story of this gruff-yet-beloved place, where teachers bring their own mousetraps and ration toilet paper by the square. Most importantly, they show up every day, which means everything to these students. When the school closing is announced, the teachers, students and community are overcome with a sense of desperation and dedication. Vice Principal Ricky, who doesn't usually get involved, feels compelled to come up with a plan to save the school. Whether or not he knows what he's doing with this plan remains to be seen.

Funny, wise and bittersweet, Exit Strategy is a story of survival in the tumultuous era of school-closings. Built around the show will be a robust programming to encourage community action, including post-show panels on education, workshops, and more

ABOUT ECHO THEATER COLLECTIVE

Founded and incorporated in 2017, the mission of Echo Theater Collective (Echo) is to embody inclusion, transformation, and creation through the performing arts. Echo strives to redefine community theater by choosing works that amplify the voices of those in our communities who need it the most. Echo is an artistic initiative designed, with community input, to promote unity and cultural understanding using theater and music. Echo is based in the Oak Park/Forest Park area and includes strong ties to Austin, Berwyn and Maywood.

Show Info:

WHAT: Ike Holters Exit Strategy

WHEN: April 10th-12th @ 8pm, 17th-18th @ 8pm, 19th @ 2pm

WHERE: Maywood Park District, 921 S. 9th Ave., Maywood, IL 60153

Cost: $20

About ETCs Second Season, Connections

Connection is an integral part of our shared human experience. From finding your tribe to discovering love, shared experiences and identities, Connections are how we are seen and heard and part of our coexistence on Earth. "Connections" get to the core of what it means to #echolove.