THE WIND AND THE BREEZE

THE MIDWEST PREMIERE OF THE AWARD-WINNING PLAY BY ROCKFORD PLAYWRIGHT NATHAN ALAN DAVIS!

OCT 20 - NOV 6, 2022
FREE TICKETS

WRITTEN by Nathan Alan Davis
DIRECTED by Matthew Simpson

Sam, the legendary, undisputed, GREATEST emcee in Rockford, aims to stake out the best spot on the State Street bridge to watch the 4th of July fireworks— but his plans are interrupted when a young crew and their outsized dreams challenge him to a battle he can't win.

The Wind and the Breeze explores the politics of place, the unspoken expectations of friendship and what happens when we choose to stand our ground on shifting sands.

Thanks to a Powering The Arts Grant from ComEd and the League of Chicago Theaters, The West Side Show Room and Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC are proud to offer Free Tickets for ALL performances!

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

NATHAN ALAN DAVIS

Originally from Rockford, Illinois, Nathan Alan Davis is an alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Indiana University Bloomington, and The Juilliard School. Currently, he is a Lecturer in Theater and Berlind Playwright-in-Residence at Princeton University and a Venturous Fellow at the Playwrights' Center.

Nathan’s plays include The Refuge Plays, The High Ground, Nat Turner in Jerusalem (Stavis Playwright Award, 2017), Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea (Steinberg/ATCA New Play Citation, 2015), Origin Story, and The Wind and the Breeze (Lorraine Hansberry Award, 2013).

For his body of work thus far, he has received a Windham-Campbell Prize (2021), a Steinberg Playwright Award (2020), and a Whiting Award in Drama (2018). His plays have been produced and commissioned by theaters across the United States, including New York Theatre Workshop, Arena Stage, Seattle Rep., Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, and Skylight Theatre. As a screenwriter, he has worked on TV and film projects for HBO Max, Paramount, AMC, BET, Netflix, and others.

Nathan is also the Founding Artistic Director of The West Side Show Room’s Rockford New Words (formerly the Rockford New Play Festival).

FREE TICKETS

EVERY SEAT. EVERY SHOW.

WSSR and Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC believe everyone should be able to see theater!

Thanks to a Powering The Arts Grant from ComEd and the League of Chicago Theaters, The West Side Show Room and Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC are proud to offer Free Tickets for ALL performances!

DONATIONS ACCEPTED

Even though tickets are free, that doesn’t mean the shows are free for us to produce. Our expenses for The Wind And The Breeze are over $20,000. 

If you are able to add a donation at checkout, you will help us keep theater accessible to everyone and support artists working on the West Side of Rockford!

SHOW TIMES

THU Oct 20 - 7pm
FRI Oct 21 - 8pm
SAT Oct 22 - 2pm
SUN Oct 23 - 4pm

THU Oct 27 - 7pm
FRI Oct 28 - 8pm
SUN Oct 30 - 4pm

THU Nov 3 - 7pm
FRI Nov 4 - 8pm
SAT Nov 5 - 4pm
SAT Nov 5 - 8pm
SUN Nov 6 - 4pm

RUNNING TIME: 110 Minutes + Intermission

COVID SAFETY

AUDIENCE MEMBERS MUST WEAR MASKS

Our cast performs unmasked so audience members must wear a mask except when eating or drinking in our lobby. Masks must be worn at all times during the show.

Any questions? contact@wssr.org

CONTENT INFO

The Wind And The Breeze contains profanity and strong language throughout which may be offensive to some audience members.

For specific info: contact@wssr.org

Running Time: 100 Minutes + Intermission
Minimum Age: 12 years

SENSORY INFO

The Wind And The Breeze has unexpected elements that may feel intense or triggering to some audience members.

For specific info or accommodations: contact@wssr.org

DIRECTOR

Matthew Simpson

CAST

Ashleye Armelin
Ana

Emerging from Gonzales, Texas, rising artist Ashleye Armelin began her journey into the entertainment industry at an early age. As a kid, Ashleye mostly shied away from the spotlight, and only sang for fun at family functions or in her church choir. If it weren’t for her pastor recognizing her talents and encouraging her to lead her first solo, she doesn’t know if she’d ever come out of her shell. It was at that moment Ashleye never looked back.

Ashleye's first single ‘Name On It,’ landed her a featured spot on MTV & BET, was nominated for best female artist at the Midwest Music Awards, opened for Nelly on his Endless Summer Tour, and landed a distribution deal with Sony Orchard.

With her newfound success, Ashleye plans to leave her mark in the entertainment industry as a singer, songwriter and actress for years to come!

ValMarie Black
Ronda

ANTWON AG GEORGE
Sam

MALACHI GOLDSMITH
Shantell

YAZMIN JONES
Nia

Yazmin Jones was originally born in Norfolk Virginia, but has blossomed from the roots of Rockford IL. From a young age, she has always been captivated by the arts in every form, but very early on realized that her true passion resides in theater. While discovering her gift, Yazmin began to discover herself. Yazmin looks not only to be perfect in her talent, but to be used through her gift. She has been awarded this opportunity as a performer of Soul in the Park, Roc the Mic, Vent Sessions a reader in Rockford New Words Festival, third place winner of Rockford's very own, Rumble in the Rock, regional winner of NAACP's ACTSO competition, and so much more. Yazmin coins herself as a "Real Estate Agent by day, actress by night." She is happy to join WSSR on stage this season as the character "Nia" in The Wind and the Breeze.

Yazmin last appeared at WSSR in the 2018 Rockford New Play Festival.

JAYLEN MARKS
Tea

COLLABORATION

The Wind And The Breeze is a collaboration between The West Side Show Room and Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC.

The West Side Show Room makes room for everyone to participate in the performing arts.

Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC is a Rockford based investment firm that focuses on real estate development, product collaborations, and event production.

PRODUCTION STAFF

DIRECTOR
Matthew Simpson

PRODUCER
Joshua Patterson

SET DESIGNER
Lenae Weichel

SCENIC ARTISTS
blckrabbit_skinny
Shaniqwa Porter

CARPENTERY
YouthBuild Rockford

COSTUME DESIGNER
Sarah Renicker

FASHION STYLIST
Brittni Anderson

HAIR STYLIST
Denelle Anderson, TheXperience

LIGHT + SOUND DESIGNER
Mike Werckle

MUSIC
DJ Brickrock

FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER
Ky Rankin

STAGE MANAGER
Epic Jones

ASST STAGE MANAGER
Silas Morales

PROPS COORDINATOR
Holli Connell

POSTER ARTWORK
blckrabbit_skinny

EIGHT FIFTEEN CAPITAL, LLC

Matthew J. Simpson
Alan Joshua Patterson, Sr.
Clydale Hilson
Terrance Hall
Jaron Hite

WEST SIDE SHOW ROOM

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Lenae Weichel

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Mike Werckle

WSSR BOARD
Beth Edgerton
Marilyn Lamar
Lenae Weichel
Mike Werckle

SPONSORS

The Wind And The Breeze is supported in part by a Powering The Arts Grant from ComEd and the League of Chicago Theaters.

The Wind And The Breeze is made possible by a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.  

The mission of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is to serve as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, preserve, and grow an endowment for the current and future needs of the people of Northern Illinois. Since its founding in 1953, CFNIL has granted more than $65 million for charitable purposes in the region.

The Wind And The Breeze is made possible by a generous grant from the Rockford Area Arts Council. 

The Rockford Area Arts Council supports, promotes, and develops the arts for everyone in the Northern Illinois region.

SPECIAL THANKS

Vintage costume pieces provided by Smiley’s Vintage Supply Co., 120 N Madison St, Rockford.

smileysvintage.com