Workshop Reading of empty spaces by Renee’ Flemings
Presented with Lewis & Clark College and Bag&Baggage Productions 
Directed by Nik Whitcomb

Thursday, May 15th, 2025 @ 7pm & Friday, May 16th, 2025 @ 7pm

This May, AGE will launch our new program AGEducation with the residency of award-winning Black female playwright Renee’ Flemings at Lewis and Clark College to workshop her new play empty spaces. AGEducation, a bold and vital initiative, marks the beginning of a project that expands our programming to empower and invigorate the wellspring of our industry: theatre artists and scholars in higher education. AGE and Bag&Baggage Productions hosted Flemings for a reading of empty spaces in April 2024. After that reading, Flemings determined the next step for the play would be an on-its-feet workshop, incorporating choreographed movement and design elements. Flemings will work with a hybrid company of students and professional theatremakers culminating in a fully staged public reading. empty spaces addresses Missing White Woman Syndrome, a phrase widely used to describe the disparity in law enforcement recover efforts and media attention that missing young white women receive over missing Black and Brow people. The play tells the heartbreaking story of a family and community torn apart when a Black teenage girl goes missing. 

 This work would not be possible without support from the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Braemer Charitable Trust