Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Adapted by El Chelito and Raymond O. Caldwell
from the book by Jason Reynolds
Directed by Raymond O. Caldwell
Commissioned and Produced by The Kennedy Center and Theater Alliance
World Premiere
Featuring: Savina Barini, Charles Franklin IV, Ixchel Hernandez, Tre’mon Mills, Kalen Robinson, John Sygar
Understudies: Cynthia Davis, Natalia Fyfe, Tyrell Stanley, Carl Williams
Scenic Design: Johnathan Dahm Robertson
Associate Scenic Design: Gisela Estrada
Props Design: Amy Kellett
Costume Design: Jeannette Christensen
Associate Costume Design: Cidney Forkpah
Lighting Design: Alberto Segarra
Sound Design: Brandon Cook
Original Music: Nick tha 1da
Associate Director: Ezinne Elele
Choreography: Tiffany Quinn
PSM Theater Alliance: Genny Ceperly
PSM Kennedy Center: Kelsey Jenkins
ASM: Emma Sheffer
Dramaturg: Jennifer Clements
Venue: Anacostia Playhouse & Kennedy Center Family Theater
Press & Recognition
“Creating a show that appeals to both children and adults can be a bit of a tricky feat. You have to incorporate enough action, color, and vibrancy to appeal to young people while sustaining a level of sophistication and thematic complexity that draws the adult contingent in. Theater Alliance’s entry into the catalog of family-friendly plays, “Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks” adapted from the book by Jason Reynolds by El Chelito and Raymond O. Caldwell, gets it right. In fact, their adaption proves that with a talented creative team behind it, family-friendly theatre can be as hard-hitting and provocative as any production.” — MD Theatre Guide
“…the creative team employed a variety of staging techniques and methods, including live images projected onto a backdrop screen, film and video replay, puppetry, shadow boxes, and live microphones. These multiple techniques reflected the variety of approaches Reynolds employed in the stories of Look Both Ways…techniques and staging both reflected and expanded the novel, turning the adaptation into something fresh and dynamic.” — DC Theater Arts
“The use of puppetry—designed by Amy Kellett—was particularly effective in a moving scene about a grandfather with dementia. Other high points were the interactive moments when the cast engaged directly with the audience and their young faces lit up with recognition at being seen as well as heard.” — DC Theater Arts
2024 Helen Hayes Awards
Recipient Outstanding Media and Projections Design - Helen (Kelly Colburn & Dylan Uremovich)
Nominee Outstanding Lighting Design - Helen (Alberto Segarra)
Photos by Teresa Wood
