A Jumping-Off Point

By Inda Craig-Galván
Directed By Shá Cage

April 20 - May 19, 2024

Smart | Stimulating | Inquisitive

Leslie Wallace is a promising Black writer who has just landed her first deal with HBO when her White, former classmate Andrew shows up and accuses her of plagiarizing his script. Their confrontation—and eventual uneasy alliance—explores representation, privilege, and who gets to tell what stories.

Full of humor and complex characters, A JUMPING-OFF POINT is a sharp and electric new play from rising star playwright and screenwriter Inda Craig-Galván (Will Trent, How to Get Away with Murder), and asks who has the right to tell a Black story? And when mistakes are made - who is allowed to fail?

FEATURING

CREATIVE

Scenic Designer Daniel Allen
Costume Designer China Bleu Simmons
Lighting Designer Dante Benjegerdes
Sound Designer C. Andrew Mayer
Stage Manager/Properties Designer John Novak

Assistant Director Brettina Davis
Director/Dramaturg Youth Apprentice Iris Luz Hernandez

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

Photos by Lauren B. Photography

FROM THE PRESS

“Storytelling is really trying to get to the truth, and genuine emotion in building characters who feel like real people,” she said. “The audience is going to find something they respond to and that resonates with them.” — READ MORE, Southwest Voices

"Craig-Galván has crafted a script both funny and thought-provoking about who has the right to tell what stories and how American popular culture curates whose stories we hear...Under Shá Cage’s direction, the Jungle’s production is driven by an electrifying friction." — READ MORE, Pioneer Press

“It's the kind of play that I love, one in which complex characters discuss relevant issues in a personal and relatable way, with no easy answers, no winners or losers. And the issues discussed are ones on the forefront of current conversation - who has the right to tell whose story?…If you like smartly written, crisply designed, well acted, relevant and thought-provoking 90-minute-no-intermision plays, A Jumping-Off Point is the one for you!” — READ MORE, Cherry and Spoon

“A Jumping-Off Point,” by Inda Craig-Galván, grapples with the thorny issues of copyright, intellectual theft, cultural appropriation, and basic artistic courtesy…Ultimately, it’s a big idea play…What we get instead is a robust debate about power, privilege, and the question of who gets to write what story. It’s the kind of play that you’ll want to have a discussion about afterward, and for me that’s my favorite kind of theater.  — READ MORE, MINNPOST

“The entire play is built around the themes of Who has the right to tell a story? When is a story original? And, what does plagiarism really look like? At what point is someone’s work truly a ‘jumping-off point’ and when is it flat out stealing?…Playwright Inda Craig-Galván presents this story from both sides. She makes these characters seem very real as they deal with their own pride and shortcomings, and their interactions…Director Shá Cage does a brilliant job of bringing out all the nuances of these characters and their story.” — READ MORE, Play off the Page

PAY AS YOU ARE TICKETS

PAY AS YOU ARE pricing asks those who routinely pay $45 for theater tickets to pay that amount; it is the actual fair market value of the ticket. If an audience member needs to pay less, they can choose to do so. Likewise, by selecting to pay more than the market price, you help cover the cost of someone else’s ticket and welcome more audiences to the Jungle Theater.

Phone: 612.822.7063
PAY AS YOU ARE tickets available March 20 at 4:30pm

April 20 - May 19, 2024

PREVIEWS

Wednesday, April 17, 7:30pm
Thursday, April 18, 7:30pm
Friday, April 19, 7:30pm

The Jungle Theater is continuing our commitment to providing accessible tickets to our community. For A JUMPING-OFF POINT preview performances, our first two rows will be available for patrons at no cost.

Previews are an essential step in the development process. Because it could be the first time the play has been on its feet in front of an audience, the creative team could still be making changes to the script, design elements, or acting choices.

ACCESSIBLITY PERFORMANCES

Audio Description Thursday, April 25
Open Caption Friday, April 26
ASL Friday, May 3

SPECIAL EVENTS

Special Come Early with Playwright and Director Thursday, April 25 6:45 - 7:15pm in Jungle Lobby
Buy Tickets

Come-Early Conversations |
May 9  |  Shá Cage (Director), Brettina Davis (Assistant Director), Iris Luz Hernandez (Director/Dramaturg Youth Apprentice)
May 16  |  Shá Cage & Brettina Davis 
6:45 - 7:15pm in Jungle Lobby
Led by director Shá Cage, our Thursday pre-show events will dive into the creative process behind the Jungle's production of A JUMPING-OFF POINT.

BlackOut Community Night 
Thursday, May 16  |  Hosted by Shá Cage, Brettina Davis 
Because this is a Black-led show, we are inviting the Black Community to come experience and celebrate  A JUMPING-OFF POINT this Thursday with a special BlackOut Community Night hosted by our director Shá Cage, Brettina Davis (Assistant Director). Come early and enjoy snacks and conversations before the show.

Use promo code COMEEARLY5OFF to take $5 your tickets for Thursday's show and this special event.

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RUN TIME
90-minutes no intermission

CONTENT WARNINGS
This production includes adult language and theatrical haze.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE SHOW
Check out the DRAMATURGICAL RESEARCH CORNER by Youth Dramaturgy/Directing Apprentice Iris Luz Hernandez.

Concerns about COVID-19 are top of mind for everyone, and when joining the Jungle for a performance, we want you to feel confident in your time with us. As protocols to protect against COVID-19 continue to evolve, the Jungle Theater is committed to caring for our people – that includes our artists, our audiences, and our staff.

For our 2023 – 2024 Season, masks for audience members are optional but strongly recommended. Additionally, masks will be required for all Wednesday 7:30pm performances. Please note that this policy is subject to change.

Please click here to learn more about our response to the coronavirus.

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