RANDOM ACTS
Random Acts is an award-winning solo play that traces one girl’s coming-of-age on Chicago’s South Side and Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the racial and social upheavals of the 1960s and ’70s. Moving between childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, Renata tells the story of the people and experiences that shaped her journey. Blending humor, heart, and vivid storytelling, Random Acts explores kindness, acceptance, bullying, friendship, peer pressure, and the breaking down of stereotypes. What emerges is a deeply personal yet universal story about the profound impact a single compassionate act can have on a life and a community. Described by Broadway director and choreographer Tommy Tune as “a one-person Our Town,” Random Acts has captivated audiences of all ages with its uplifting message, emotional resonance, and celebration of our shared humanity.
A powerful, delicately curated story of kindness.
Reviews
“A one-person OUR TOWN”
Broadway director and choreographer Tommy Tune
“The play is told from the perspective of the five-year old Hinrichs. This is one woman’s journey through the racial divides of the 60s and 70s in a city (Chicago’s south side) on the front lines. A personal yet universal story with quiet, breathtaking moments of love and kindness, and a child’s openness to the world.”
“This is a story about kindness, acceptance, bullying, peer pressure, friendship, and the breaking down of stereotypes--all of it told through the sublime, heart-lifting performance of Hinrichs.”
“A sublime, heart-lifting performance!
Front Row Center
“Moving, funny…more relevant by the minute.”
Somewhere in Transition
Creative Team
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Jessi D. Hill is a theatre director based in New York City.
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She has directed new work at New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theater/Joe’s Pub, The Playwrights’ Center, Primary Stages, Labyrinth, The Women’s Project, 59E59, The New Group, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Culture Project, The Acting Company, The Barrow Group, PS122, Baruch Performing Arts Center, Theatre Row, New Dramatists, The Lark, The Playwrights Realm, New Georges, Naked Angels, The Wild Project, and others. She has been a director in professional training programs at Yale School of Drama, NYU/Tisch School of the Arts, Fordham University, Powerhouse/NY Stage & Film, Strasberg, CAP21, The Atlantic School, Playwrights Horizons Theatre School, Long Island University, Hunter College and others. Her work has been seen internationally in Edinburgh, London, New Zealand, Berlin, Bucharest and Hamburg. She is currently Artistic Associate for Flying Carpet Theatre in NYC. She has also served as Associate Artistic Director of terraNOVA Collective in NYC and Artistic Director of Stage Left Theatre Company in Chicago. MFA: Yale. Member SDC. Current projects: www.jessidhill.com
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Matt Otto is a sound designer and composer based in New York City.
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Matt Otto is a sound designer and composer based in New York City. In the New York he has designed productions for; Tectonic Theatre Project, The Barrow Group, Cherry Lane, The Atlantic Conservatory, Ma-Yi Theatre Company, IRT Theatre, Fractured Atlas, Next In Line Productions, New Saloon, TerraNOVA Collective and Columbia University. Regionally he has designed shows for companies like Brown MFA/Trinity Rep in Providence RI, Wooly Mammoth and Theatre J in Washington DC, Yale Rep in New Haven Connecticut and Generator Theatre Company in Juneau, Alaska. Matt received his MFA in Sound Design from the Yale School of Drama in 2013 and his BFA in theatre with a focus in sound from Boston University in 2006. For examples of Matt’s work please go to www.mattotto.co.
Production History
Production History: Originally developed at The Barrow Group in New York City, Random Acts premiered in stages between 2012 and 2014 before earning the Best Storytelling Script at the United Solo Festival. The play has been presented Off-Broadway at TBG Mainstage and published by Indie Theater Now, and performed at schools, theaters, and community venues throughout the country, where its themes of empathy, inclusion, and human connection continue to spark meaningful conversations.