Pioneers Go East Collective presents
www.pioneersgoeast.org

AMERICAN MILL NO. 2

By GIAN MARCO LO FORTE
Music by KAMALA SANKARAM

Featuring

KAMALA SANKARAM, CATRIN LLOYD-BOLLARD, BRITTANE ROWE
ANTHONY NAPOLETANO and JASON STANLEY

Directed by GIAN MARCO LO FORTE
Choreography by MAURA NGUYEN DONOHUE
Lighting Design: MARIE YOKOYAMA
Costume Design: BECKY HUBBERT
Video/Sound Design: HAO BAI
Dialect Coach: ANTHONY NAPOLETANO
Directing Advisor: JOHN ISSENDORF
Original Research Inspiration: ABBY FELDER

A.R.T. Theatres
502 West 53rd Street @ Tenth Avenue
www.pioneersgoeast.org or (212) 352-3101
March 30 – April 9, 2017

AMERICAN MILL NO. 2 is a powerful blend of music and documentary that chronicles the courageous struggles of textile worker, union organizer, and folk singer Ella May Wiggins in 1929. A strike is taking place at the Loray Mill in Gastonia, NC, and somehow this mother of 5 who works 12 hours a day finds herself leading the protest movement.

This high-energy production is blessed with a multi-talented cast. Using songs, speeches, original photography, audio recordings, and film clips, the audience is given a taste of the factory conditions under which workers labored in the South. Adding to its impact is the sublime timeliness of AMERICAN MILL NO. 2. Currently as protests take place nationally and around the world, wondering whether an individual’s participation can make a difference is often a matter of debate. This is the source of inspiration weary activists need to continue the fight, and anyone lucky enough to see the Pioneers Go East Collective at work will wonder no more if their efforts are of value.

- Laurie Lawson -