!["She Gon’ Learn" Gets New Jersey Premiere at Jersey City Theater Center](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2017/JCTC-May16.jpg ""She Gon’ Learn" Gets New Jersey Premiere at Jersey City Theater Center")
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- She Gon' Learn – the Award Winning ‘Dating While Black’ solo play that was a surprise hit on the theatre festival circuit – makes its New Jersey debut at Merseles Studios, presented by Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) as part of its Disruption series. She Gon’ Learn runs June 1 (7:30 pm), June 2 (8:00 pm), and June 3 (8:00pm).
Written and performed by Lisa Strum – and directed by Christopher Burris – this autobiographical ‘dramedy’ is at turns hilarious and painful as audiences accompany Strum as she comes of age and looks for love. She Gon’ Learn shifts back and forth through different periods of her life and includes eight different characters – a distant father, a wise and supportive grandmother, and several would be suitors – all portrayed by Strum, an accomplished actress and writer.
“Lisa’s play is both incredibly honest and incredibly funny,” said Olga Levina, Artistic Director, JCTC. “She shows us a segment of society often overlooked – African American women who are well-educated and striving to succeed in life, but finding the search for love to be surprisingly complicated and difficult. Her story is one many women can relate to, especially how she ultimately finds empowerment as a woman.”
She Gon’ Learn premiered two years ago at the Emerging Artist Theatre Festival at TADA!, followed by sold out shows at the United Solo Festival at Theatre Row, where the play received one of the festival’s Best Solo Show Awards. In 2016, She Gon’ Learn performances included: The Obie Award Winning Fire This Time Festival; The National Black Theatre; The New Black Fest at The Lark Play Development Center; and The Roselle Center for the Arts, University of Delaware, JCTC presents series of theatre, performances, readings and visual arts on a topic global in scope yet relevant to the community. The Merseles Studios run will be the first time the play has been performed in New Jersey, proving there may be nothing more disruptive than a provocative mix of comedy and honesty.
“She Gon’ Learn fits perfectly into JCTC’s Disruption series because in spite of all the social and political strides women have made over the years, it’s still considered a radical act – especially for women of color – to stand in their authenticity and speak the naked truth,” said Strum. “Audiences will watch me navigate my childhood, parental relationships, the excitement of new love, the insanity of dating, and a heart breaking, yet triumphant journey, to self discovery and self love.”
She Gon’ Learn is filled with insightful observations about love, self-worth and race. “This play is a journey of self-discovery, and the particulars of undergoing that journey as a Black woman in America,” said Christopher Burris, director of the play. “Lisa learns to stand up for herself, fight for what she believes in, and the importance of respecting the name her mother gave her.”
Jersey City Theater Center Merseles Studios is located at 339 Newark Avenue in Jersey City, New Jersey. Tickets are $25 General Admission ($18 Students & Senior Citizens, with valid ID) and may be purchased online.
