the cell

Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre, Artistic Director Kira Simring with Megan Gillis present

a new play by Cate Wiley 

directed by Liz Peterson

January 18—February 9, 2025

Sheltered intertwines poetry and ancient Greek theatrical traditions to offer a haunting kaleidoscope centered on the realities of women experiencing homelessness. The play is grounded in the story of Martha, a volunteer at a homeless shelter, who must face her own anxieties about home and family, as she tries to reconnect with her missing mother, Helen. Weaving a tapestry of firsthand accounts as well as characters based on myth, this new play explores familial bonds, societal neglect, and the universal need for security.

Sheltered was developed as a part of the cell’s Residency Program

Loading Dock Theatre and Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre present

book and original music by Leegrid Stevens

directed by Eric Vitale

March 19—April 19, 2025

The Trojans is an original synth-wave musical in which warehouse workers re-enact the legendary tales of their home town’s high school glory days of the 1980’s, loosely following the mythic heroes and demigods of The Iliad. Set in the shadow of a corporate warehouse, the story delves into the financial realities faced by workers who take these grueling jobs to stay afloat. For Heather and her coworkers, the warehouse becomes both a prison and a stage—a place where youthful dreams and artistic aspirations clash with the harsh demands of adulthood. The timeless lessons of love, loyalty, and war resonate deeply as the workers confront not only each other but the systems that hold them back.