During the recent presidential campaign, on Election Night, and in the months following, one thing has become abundantly clear: there's quite a bit of discord and dissension in our country. Rallies that turn strident. Debates that feel more like boxing matches. News programs that feel increasingly polarized. On both sides, folks protest feeling marginalized, unheard, fearful for their futures, and more. And it's everyone: conservatives and liberals, Blacks and Whites, rural residents and city dwellers, blue collar workers and white collar professionals, men and women. Lots of talking at or above each other doesn't seem to make any headway, and our leaders often model gridlock rather than compromise. What can be done? The theatre has a long tradition of being the place where battling political ideologies, conflicting philosphical worldviews, and varying theologies can be translated into captivating stories and performances. With just a bit of distance, audience members can watch conflicts they may have a stake in a bit more dispassionately and with a critical, rational eye. Sometimes, these conflicts are lightened and made comedic; at other times, allegory or metaphor soften the rancor; in the best case scenario, watching a character onstage allows audience members to identify with and begin to empathize with someone who looks and thinks much differently than they do. To that end, Seat of the Pants Productions is proud to present an entire season of plays that do just this: dramatize and "storify" some of the conflicts that exist in America today in an effort to move hearts and open minds, thereby creating an avenue for increased understanding and potential dialogue. The plays are: THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (a staged reading), by Jason Miller: Pulitzer Prize winning play about 5 former basketball heroes gathered together to reminisce about their glory days, bemoan their diminishing status in the world as white men, and confront some ugly racism from their shared past. - Runs May 19-21 at the Founders Hall Theatre at Malone University, starring Bob McCoy, Aaron Brown, Michael Laymon, Stuart Hoffman, and Andrew Knode CHESAPEAKE (a one man show), by Lee Blessing: A performance artist retaliates against a conservative senator who revoked his NEA funding by kidnapping the senator's dog. But when the artist and the dog die during the attempt, the unthinkable happens - and the two men have to learn how to get along. - Runs June 9-18 at the Black Box Theater at GlenOak High School, starring Craig Joseph A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY (full production), by Tony Kushner: a story of artists banding together during the Weimar Republic to resist the Nazis rise to power - poses some terrific questions about what art can (and cannot) achieve in contemporary society. - Runs July 14-23 at the Black Box Theater at GlenOak High School, starring Olivia Wimberly, Justin Edenhofer, Rachel Kall, Natalie Welch, Richard Worswick, Moriah Roberts, Andy Simmons, Barbara Howitt, and more THE CHRISTIANS (full production), by Lucas Hnath: When a pastor announces to his congregation that he no longer believes in Hell and asks them to take a more loving and open approach to the world around them, it shakes the foundations that the church is built upon and creates many avenues for discussion and dialogue. - Runs August 18-27 at a location to be determined, starring Scott Stachiw, Meg Hopp, Tom Stephan, Julie Connair, and more Performances are always Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. And our entire season is kindly underwritten in part by a grant from ArtsinStark, the county arts council. WE'D LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN US! And here are two ways to be a part of the season! 1. *THROUGH MAY 15TH, buy a season pass to all 4 shows for the discounted rate of $50 at www.actsofdissent.eventbrite.com <http://www.actsofdissent.eventbrite.com/>. *You'll purchase your pass and then we'll follow up with a call to help you select your exact nights for each show. 2. *OR AT ANY POINT, purchase tickets for individual shows, priced anywhere from $5 to $20, depending on the show. *Tickets will become available as the summer progresses. At current, you can buy tickets for the first show, THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, at *www.championshipseason.eventbrite.com <http://www.championshipseason.eventbrite.com/>.*