ANN ARBOR – Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor’s resident nonprofit professional theatre specializing in new plays, is thrilled to open its 10th-anniversary season with “In Search of the Mothman” by Amber Palmer, directed by Associate Artistic Director & Literary Manager Shelby R. Seeley. This fall, Theatre NOVA will celebrate ten years of new plays and new voices with a Gala Season Celebration on November 10, 2024, at 3:30 pm, immediately following the closing night performance.
“In Search of the Mothman” is about two young sisters as they navigate life, family, and sisterhood after an unexpected tragedy strikes their hometown. Emily is just trying to make it through her senior year and get into music school, while Jordan moves across the country to West Virginia to “search for The Mothman.” Through honesty and humor, the sisters grapple with their trauma and what lives they want to lead in the aftermath. It features Olivia Kiefer and Carolyn Pierce. The production and design team includes Paul Taylor (set), Jeff Alder (lights), Michaella Victoria (costumes), Kennikki Jones-Jones (sound), Sarah Elisabeth Brown (assistant director), and Briana O’Neal (stage manager, props).
Season Celebration tickets start at $50 and will include admission to the performance, refreshments after the show, a hyper-local raffle featuring items from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti businesses, a special on-stage talkback with founders and original board members, and a toast. Proceeds will support NOVA’s annual operations and pay-what-you-can ticketing program. Patrons already holding tickets for a different performance can apply the price of their existing show tickets to their Celebration tickets.
Founding Artistic Director Carla Milarch said, “I am elated to reach this milestone. Together, we have made it through the challenges of opening a theatre, and then a pandemic, and then RE-opening after a pandemic, and now the realities of a post-pandemic economy. Yet, here we still are! I believe it’s because of how fully the Ann Arbor community has embraced us over the years. They truly are amazing. And I would put our staff and artists up against anyone in the business for creativity, artistry, and heart. The fact that we’ve continued to produce amazing theatre in the face of these challenges is a testament to the strength of our mission and the gumption and grit of everyone who walks through these doors each day.”
Theatre NOVA offers a subscription program as the best way to see quality programs at a discounted price. Subscribers save on single-ticket prices and guarantee their seats for all our plays this season. Theatre NOVA recently installed new, cushioned theatre seats for added patron comfort. Subscribers get easy exchanges, no per-ticket fees, a pass to our Michigan Playwright’s Festival, and our eNewsletter, which keeps them updated on future events. If patrons prefer greater flexibility, our popular Flex Pass offers six tickets for any show and date.
Theatre NOVA is located at 410 W. Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
General admission tickets for plays are $30. Tickets for the holiday musical panto are $32 for adults and $12 for children 16 years and under. Theatre NOVA continues to make theatre accessible by offering pay-what-you-can tickets to all performances for those who need them. Tickets, memberships, flex passes, and subscriptions may be purchased online at www.TheatreNOVA.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person one hour before each performance. Seating in the theatre will begin 30 minutes before each performance. There is ample free parking and quick access to the city’s restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops. New patrons can find Theatre NOVA across Huron Street from Ann Arbor’s YMCA through a parking lot entrance on the north side of the street. For more information, visit www.TheatreNOVA.org.
Theatre NOVA’s mission is to raise awareness of the value and excitement of new plays and playwrights and to provide resources for playwrights to develop their craft by importing, exporting, and developing new work.
Photos by Sean Carter Photography.
FACT SHEET
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
IN SEARCH OF THE MOTHMAN by Amber Palmer
October 11-November 10, 2024
Friday, October 11 at 8:00 pm – Opening Night
Saturday, October 12 at 8:00 pm – Student Night
Sunday, October 13 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, October 17 at 8:00 pm – Industry Night, Rec & Ed Night
Friday, October 18 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 19 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, October 20 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, October 24 at 8:00 pm – Industry Night, Masked Performance
Friday, October 25 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 26 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, October 27 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, October 31, at 8:00 pm – Industry Night, OLLI Night – a Special Halloween
Performance! Wear your costumes!
Friday, November 1 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 2 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 3 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, November 7 at 8:00 pm – Industry Night
Friday, November 8 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 9 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 10 at 2:00 pm – Closing Night, 10th Anniversary Celebration
WHO:
In Search of the Mothman Company
Amber Palmer, Playwright
Shelby R. Seeley, Director
Olivia Kiefer, Jordan
Carolyn Pierce, Emily
Paul Taylor, Set
Jeff Alder, Lights
Michaella Victoria, Costumes
Kennikki Jones-Jones, Sound
Ian Nicholas, Instrument Consultant
Briana O’Neal, Stage Manager, Props
Theatre Nova Staff
Carla Milarch, Founding Artistic Director
David Wolber, Producing Artistic Director
Briana O’Neal, Producing Artistic Director, Resident Stage Manager
Shelby R. Seeley, Associate Artistic Director, Literary Manager
Becky Fox, Business Manager, Director of Education
Sarah Elisabeth Brown, House Manager
Lindsey Brown, Summer Camp Director
WHEN:
Sunday, November 10th, immediately following the closing performance of “In Search of The Mothman” (3:30 p.m.)
WHERE:
Theatre NOVA
410 W Huron, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
