The New School for Drama presents Henrik Ibsen’s The Pillars of Society as the first offering of the FIRST LOOK Performance Series.  Drama’s FIRST LOOK is a program of performances of classical and contemporary works staged in a final rehearsal atmosphere, with minimal sets, lights, costumes, and props.  The production of Pillars, translated by Michael Meyer, features the third-year acting students and is directed by Johanna McKeon.

Set in a seaside port in provincial Norway, The Pillars of Society tells the dramatic story of a wealthy ship owner who has married to further his career. He has, however, a scandal in his past, and all attempts by this “pillar of the community” to hide his shame come back to haunt him in the present.

A Drama League Directing Fellow, Ms. McKeon comes to Drama from the Williamstown Theatre Festival, where she directed the premiere of Ann Washburn’s I Have Loved Strangers, as well as workshops of The Liddy Plays by Brooke Berman and The Stonewater Rapture by Doug Wright.  She has also directed at the Vineyard and Ontological-Hysteric theatres in New York City.

Performances are Wednesday-Saturday, October 15-18, at 8:00 p.m., with a matinee on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., at The New School for Drama Theater, 151 Bank Street, 3rd floor.  Admission is free, but seating is limited.  Reservations are recommended; call Ticket Central at 212.279.4200 or visit www.ticketcentral.com.

For more information, visit the Drama website.