San Diego REP Announces HOUSE OF JOY Xtras Events

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) announced today the lineup of FREE REP Xtras Events surrounding the downtown theatre's production of House of Joy, including multiple mini-concerts and dance presentations from some of San Diego's best Indian arts and cultural groups. Intended to deepen and enhance the play-going experience and strengthen the REP's missional commitment to celebrate the multiple voices of our region, REP Extras Events provide the public and REP audiences with an opportunity to engage with themes and issues around plays on the REP's season, enjoy the Lyceum Spaces, and become more integrated in the REP community. REP's Xtras Events include community-focused conversations, actor talk-backs, musical performances, a visual art exhibit and other activities.

Set in the 17th century, in a place like Delhi, India, House of Joy spins the tale of Hamida, one of the elite female bodyguards in the Emperor's Imperial Harem. When faced with an impossible ethical quandary, Hamida goes against everything she believes and risks her life to help abused Queen Mariyam escape the heavily guarded harem. Inspired by the epic legends of Indian history, Shekar has crafted a swashbuckling action-adventure romance centering on strong women who battle each other as well as a world threatening to enter their sacred space. This wildly entertaining story of palace intrigue and betrayal features sword fights, narrow escapes and sparks of revolution that culminates in a breathtaking conclusion!

Events Schedule:

Talkin' Theatre with Todd: The Art of Stage Combat

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Thursday, March 5 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Stage Combat, of which there is much of in House of Joy, is an art. It takes careful planning, choreography and rehearsal to make sure fight scenes are executed believably and safely. Join Associate Artistic Director Todd Salovey and special guests to learn more about what goes into planning the perfect onstage live-action scene. FREE and open to the public.

Mini-Concert: Sitaare Acapella

Friday, March 6 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-concert featuring Sitaare Acapella, UCSD's premier award-winning South Asian acappella team. Since its inception in 2006, Sitaare has taken pride in its diverse vocal talent, continuing to explore ways to showcase variety and creativity in their repertoire. Sitaare enjoys performing different genres of both Indian and Western music, from Bollywood and Indian classical, to R&B and pop. In addition to UCSD's cultural events, Sitaare has had the opportunity to perform at community events, weddings, and corporate events in San Diego, the Bay Area, and beyond. Sitaare always looks to push the boundaries of Desi a cappella and reach for the stars. FREE and open to the public.

Gallery Reception

Saturday, March 7 @ 6pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lyceum Gallery

Join artists Zulfiqar Rashid, Thao Huynh and Kolten French for hors d'ouevres and half-price drinks at the REP bar to celebrate the opening of the upper and lower Lyceum Gallery exhibits titled Beauty in Words and Form and Best Friends. FREE and open to the public.

Sam's Salon: Changing Female Narratives in Arts and Entertainment

Thursday, March 12 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

House of Joy is a play about women, written by a woman. As we also acknowledge and celebrate the centennial year of the 19th Amendment granting American women the right to vote, join Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse and guests Jennifer Eve Thorn (Moxie Theatre), Kristen Fogle (San Diego Writers, Ink) and Laura Castaneda (Emmy-award winning journalist, blogger, documentary filmmaker and media instructor) for a conversation on women's rights and changing female narratives in the press, entertainment, theatre and literature. FREE and open to the public.

Odissi Dance Performance

Friday, March 13 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Indian dance school Odissi School. Odissi is one of the oldest and most sophisticated forms of Indian classical dance. It is thought to have originated as early as the second century BCE in the eastern state of Odisha. Odissi is well-known for its lyrical nature, grace, fluid movements, and expressive, asymmetrical body postures. The Center for World Music has offered Odissi dance classes in the San Diego area since the early 90's. These courses are taught by distinguished master dance teachers from Odisha, India and the Patnaik Sisters. For more information, visit www.centerforworldmusic.com/odissi-dance-school. FREE and open to the public.

Meet the Artists

Friday, March 13 after the 8pm Performance

Location: Onstage

After the show, meet the cast of House of Joy, and satisfy your curiosities by bringing your questions and comments. REP Associate Producer and Casting Director, Kim Heil, is your host. Performance ticket required.

Odissi Dance Performance

Saturday, March 14 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Indian dance school Odissi School. Odissi is one of the oldest and most sophisticated forms of Indian classical dance. It is thought to have originated as early as the second century BCE in the eastern state of Odisha. Odissi is well-known for its lyrical nature, grace, fluid movements, and expressive, asymmetrical body postures. The Center for World Music has offered Odissi dance classes in the San Diego area since the early 90's. These courses are taught by distinguished master dance teachers from Odisha, India and the Patnaik Sisters. For more information, visit www.centerforworldmusic.com/odissi-dance-school. FREE and open to the public.

Pre-Show Talk

Sunday, March 15 @ 1pm before the 2pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Asha for Education is an international and fully-volunteer run non-profit that has more than 50 chapters across 3 continents all working towards the mission of 'socio-economic equality through the education of underprivileged children.' Join representatives from the San Diego chapter to hear about the projects they develop and fund that are educating and supporting children in various states of India. FREE and open to the public.

Pre-Show Talk

Sunday, March 15 @ 6pm before the 7pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Asha for Education is an international and fully-volunteer run non-profit that has more than 50 chapters across 3 continents all working towards the mission of 'socio-economic equality through the education of underprivileged children.' Join representatives from the San Diego chapter to hear about the projects they develop and fund that are educating and supporting children in various states of India. FREE and open to the public.

Stay and Play

Sunday, March 15 after the 2pm Performance

Location: Onstage

Stay and Play Club is like a book club for theatre! Join REP literary manager, Danielle Ward, for an interactive conversation about the play, and, if you'd like, continue to explore beyond the theatre with a thematically related book list, available upon request. Performance ticket required.

Odissi Dance Performance

Friday, March 20 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Indian dance school Odissi School. Odissi is one of the oldest and most sophisticated forms of Indian classical dance. It is thought to have originated as early as the second century BCE in the eastern state of Odisha. Odissi is well-known for its lyrical nature, grace, fluid movements, and expressive, asymmetrical body postures. The Center for World Music has offered Odissi dance classes in the San Diego area since the early 90's. These courses are taught by distinguished master dance teachers from Odisha, India and the Patnaik Sisters. For more information, visit www.centerforworldmusic.com/odissi-dance-school. FREE and open to the public.

Free Beer Friday

Friday, March 20 after the 8pm Performance

Stick around after the show tonight and join the cast for a craft beer tasting generously provided by Fall Brewing Company! Performance ticket required.

Indian Dance Performance

Saturday, March 21 @ 1pm before the 2pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Indian dance school Shalini Chauhan Nupoor Dance Academy. Shalini Chauhan Nupoor Dance Academy has been serving society and culture since 2000, motivated by "Art with Purpose." As students learn strong dance techniques, emphasis is also placed on enhancing self-confidence and moral values. The Academy is proud to have won many championships. Founder, choreographer and performer Shalini holds a BA in music from KUK University and has studied many forms of dances. She takes great pride in her dancing, considers music her passion, and is also a national level Badminton player. All these combinations show in her dance style. Shalini believes that dance is not a hobby or a workout, but is a way of life which needs to live within the soul. FREE and open to the public.

Indian Dance Performance

Saturday, March 21 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Indian dance school Shalini Chauhan Nupoor Dance Academy. Shalini Chauhan Nupoor Dance Academy has been serving society and culture since 2000, motivated by "Art with Purpose." As students learn strong dance techniques, emphasis is also placed on enhancing self-confidence and moral values. The Academy is proud to have won many championships. Founder, choreographer and performer Shalini holds a BA in music from KUK University and has studied many forms of dances. She takes great pride in her dancing, considers music her passion, and is also a national level Badminton player. All these combinations show in her dance style. Shalini believes that dance is not a hobby or a workout, but is a way of life which needs to live within the soul. FREE and open to the public.

Indian Dance Performance

Sunday, March 22 @ 1pm before the 2pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Indian dance school Kathak Darshan School of Dance. Kathak Darshan School of Dance was established in 2008 and has ever since been dedicated to propagating the divine North Indian Classical Art form, Kathak. The school aims to pass on the rich history of Kathak as well as the spcific tehnique of master Lucknow Gharana. FREE and open to the public.

Indian Dance Performance

Friday, March 27 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Indian dance school Swapanthi Dance Academy. The mission of Swapanthi Dance Academy is to impart rigorous training in the technique, expression and performance of Bharatanatyam, an ancient dance nurtured in southern India. Aristic Director, Aparna Sundaram, founded Swapanthi Dance Academy in 2007 to provide intense training in Bharatanatyam, including the theoregtical aspects and Nattubangam (dance conducting). Aparna learned dance from the famous dancer Smt Sowbhagya and Smt Vasundara Doraiswamy in India. FREE and open to the public.

Odissi Dance Performance

Saturday, March 28 @ 7pm before the 8pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Indian dance school Odissi School. Odissi is one of the oldest and most sophisticated forms of Indian classical dance. It is thought to have originated as early as the second century BCE in the eastern state of Odisha. Odissi is well-known for its lyrical nature, grace, fluid movements, and expressive, asymmetrical body postures. The Center for World Music has offered Odissi dance classes in the San Diego area since the early 90's. These courses are taught by distinguished master dance teachers from Odisha, India and the Patnaik Sisters. For more information, visit www.centerforworldmusic.com/odissi-dance-school. FREE and open to the public.

Indian Dance Performance

Sunday, March 29 @ 1pm before the 2pm Performance

Location: Lower Lobby Stage

Join us for a FREE mini-performance featuring local Spanish and Bollywood dance school Sabor Andaluz. Sabor Andaluz was created 15 years ago by San Diego Flamenco dancer, choreographer, and instructor Stephania Rey. She began her flamenco instruction at the age of eight with Spanish native instructors, and in the United States, has studied with international figures such as Farruquito, Angelita Gomez, Maria del Mar Moreno, Antonio Vargas, Juana Amaya, Rafael Campallo, and Manuel Linan. She has attended several flamenco workshops in California at the renowned New World Flamenco and Santa Barbara Flamenco Festivals. Stephania has been featured at the prestigious Fountain Theater's Forever Flamenco in Hollywood California on several occasions and with the highly recognized Spanish Flamenco Company Herencia Flamenca. In addition to Flamenco, she has trained in some of the most challenging dance forms of classical Indian dance, Kathak and Bharatanatyam. FREE and open to the public.