The APEX Festival: Grace’s Birthday & Them 祂

Grace’s Birthday, created by Shonari James is a play that explores the comedy of life’s darker moments. Delilah is having a time trying to become the young woman she wants to be, in comparison to her best friend Grace who seems to be able to take on the world. During Grace’s birthday weekend, all Delilah’s angst finally boils over. On the other end of life, Jaiden is happy to be throwing Grace the best birthday party she’s ever had hosted in his and Aaron’s home. Jaiden has planned out everything! What didn’t go to plan is Aaron’s father showing up after 7 years of near radio silence. 

Grace’s Birthday stars: Shonari James as Delilah, Devon Horton as Grace, Remington Allen as Aaron, Aidan Cummins as Jaiden, Hannah Hall as Brooke, and Jacob Matthews as Mr. Roseborough.

In Them 祂, two seemingly independent souls, X (Zinc) and Lisa (Marg), each on their separate journey of (re)discovering their queerness, come to terms with what their own queer utopia looks like, and the fact that they have more connection with each other than they thought.

APEX Festival is a collective, artistic activation of the HERE Arts Center by graduating MFA Contemporary Theatre and Performance students. Ten distinct projects presented over three weeks serve as each student’s capstone offering as well as a public introduction to their work as it exists at this stage in their development. In celebration, the School of Drama invites The New School community, communities surrounding The New School, and communities beyond to experience a collection of performative artworks that push the boundaries of discipline and form.

Updated: March 8, 2023

HERE is now a mask-optional space. All patrons attending HERE performances and events will no longer be required to wear masks.

We ask all audience members to please stay home if they have a sore throat, are feeling sick in any other way, or have been recently exposed to COVID-19, and to please contact the box office for refunds or exchanges.

All of our performers, technicians, and staff members are required to be fully vaccinated. Additionally, they are participating in an active testing regimen to keep everyone as safe as possible.

HERE reserves the right to revise protocols as the rate of transmission changes and in light of new scientific data that may present itself.