ARTEMISIA'S AMERICAN PREMIERE OF BELFAST GIRLS

Artemisia, a Chicago theatre that produces women-driven plays, will present the American Premiere of Belfast Girls, by award-winning Irish writer Jaki McCarrick from May 16, 2015, to June 14, 2015, in Chicago at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 6:00 pm with an additional matinee on Saturday at 3:00 pm.

In Belfast Girls, Jaki McCarrick dramatizes Irish history. On the cusp of a great societal revolution, five street women orphaned by the Irish Famine embark on a journey of love, betrayal and adventure, hopeful they will find a fresh start in a new land. The five “Belfast Girls” are dramatized based on the real-life women who sought passage in 1850 aboard the Inchinnan, a ship bound for Australia.

McCarrick is currently in negotiations to adapt the play for film and has recently been long listed for the Irish Laureate Award. “I am thrilled that Belfast Girls is premiering in Chicago, a city whose appetite for cutting-edge stories is legendary,” says McCarrick. “And Artemisia’s vision of bringing female-driven plays to the fore makes it even an even greater compliment. I’m so looking forward to being in Chicago for the opening weekend.”

“This is a terrific story, one that reflects the Irish immigrant experience so deeply rooted in Chicago. It’s an amazing adventure that is packed with non-stop action, great characters and shattering discoveries,” says Julie Proudfoot, Artemisia’s Artistic Director.

Tickets are now on sale on Artemisia’s website at http://www.artemisiatheatre.org/. To arrange for group tickets, or receive more information about Artemisia, contact Artistic Director Julie Proudfoot at artemisiatheatre@gmail.com or call 832-819-4336.

Artemisia’s American Premiere of Belfast Girls is sponsored by Windy City Irish Radio and made possible by generous grants from The Saints and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Marketing photo: Left to Right, Caitlin Chuckta, Hannah, Lindsay Tornquist, Ellen, McKenzie Chinn, Judith, Patty Malaney, Sarah, Cassandra Schiano, Molly

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