IRVINGTON, NY – Christina Franklin has been training and working in New York’s theater scene since she was eight years old – starting out in the rehearsal studios of TADA! Youth Theater (whose notable alumni include Kerry Washington and Jordan Peele) and taking her gift for storytelling all the way to Broadway. Irvington Theater is thrilled to bring Franklin’s newest play, Cleanse, to virtual audiences from May 21-23.
In Cleanse, Franklin’s main character Courtney loves the internet but hates what it’s doing to her. In order to reclaim control of her offline life, she must face her online past – the awkward chats, the software fads, the moments of immense discovery, and, of course, the trolls. Full of humor, humiliation, and heartbreak, Courtney’s journey to digital deactivation requires a whole lot more than the click of a mouse.
“Christina is such an energetic, current voice for the theater world,” says Irvington Theater Manager Greg Allen. “IT is lucky to premiere this new work that she has been writing throughout the pandemic. I can’t wait for folks to see it!”
Christina Franklin is a Brooklyn-based theater artist and educator. Her work has been produced and developed with National Black Theatre, Royal Family Productions, and Out of The Box Theatrics, where Franklin served as associate director on last month’s critically-acclaimed streaming production of The Last Five Years. Her other assistant and associate directing credits include Coal Country and White Noise at The Public Theater, Slave Play at New York Theatre Workshop, and the upcoming Broadway revival of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf.
Franklin directs her self-described “semi-autobiographical” play, leading a vibrant, young cast that features Regan Sims, Subiya, Isabel Hilario, Nicole Johnson, and Will Callahan.
Cleanse will be available to stream on demand from Friday, May 21 at 12:01am EST through Sunday, May 23 at 11:59pm EST. This play contains strong language that may be unsuitable for younger audiences. Purchase your $12 per-household ticket to receive the viewing link and password at irvingtontheater.com/cleanse.
Irvington Theater is home to a diverse range of innovative programming that entertains, enlightens, and inspires, establishing itself over its 118-year history as the cultural heart of the Rivertowns. The theater continues its tradition with unprecedented reach though its all-virtual season, #IrvingtonAnywhere.
“We are very pleased that Ziporah and Debby will be joining our board,” said Millie Jasper, Executive Director at the HHREC. “They have each been very supportive and engaged with HHREC over the years as speakers in our community, and we look forward to working with them to promote and support key initiatives we have planned for 2021 and beyond.”
Other speakers include Town Supervisor Ivy Pool, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Reverend Dr. Martha Jacobs, Co-Presidents of ENOUGH Sam Rosenberg and Charlie Gordon and members of the Town of New Castle Holocaust and Human Rights Committee. Other participants include Rabbi Bergman, Rabbi Brusso, Rabbi Greenberg, Rabbi Jaffe, Cantor Ezring, Cantor Sternlieb and Cantorial soloist Alli West. 
All participants addressed the importance of teachers and partnership in education. From experience, Taylor described “teachers as the best community organizers.” To lead to change, curriculums must, but often do not, address climate and environmental justice. Non-profits and community groups often play an important partnership in promoting education policy with lawmakers, while partnering with schools to develop sustainable programming and step in where schools lack the resources. For example, Contreras’ organization Solar One partners to provide k-12 students and teachers a green design lab to enhance learning through environmental projects. Morton noted that NYC schools have a sustainability coordinator to now “champion from the inside.” The speakers also discussed that community organizing was crucial – whether in advocating for policy change or providing resources through community organizations to supplement where communities and schools are lacking.
The program was part of the Sustainability Advisory Board’s (SAB’s) on-going educational efforts and sustainability initiatives. SAB, made up of dedicated Town-appointed members and many volunteers, works behind the scenes to advise the Town on best practices for leading local environmental and conservation efforts. Among its initiatives, SAB spearheaded a gas leaf blower reduction ordinance, enacted by the Town Board and in effect from June 1 through September 30. The ordinance will reduce noxious noise, pollutants, and carbon emissions. Help SAB spread the word on this gas blower ordinance, and see SAB’s website for guidance on best practices for healthy yard cleanup and other initiatives.