May 15, 2003 Contact: Janet Kessin, Juilliard (212) 721-0965 or Peter Dobbin, Storm Theatre (212) 595-1512 Allegra Perhaes, Safe Horizons (212) 577-7406

A Play in One Act by Nels’on Ellis, Based on a True Story for Eleven Nights OnlyWednesday, May 28, through Sunday, June 8, at 7 PM

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Almost one year to the day that his sister was shot at point blank range by her boyfriend of seven years, and in front of the couple’s son, Nels’on Ellis’ play, UGLy, about the horror and futility of domestic violence opens at the Storm Theatre, 145 W. 46^th Street. Performances of UGLy run from Wednesday, May 28, through Sunday, June 8. (Monday, June 2, is dark.) Directed by Cedric Harris, this one-act 'choral poem,’ as the playwright calls it, chronicles the true events of Alice Marie’s life just before her murder, and captures the emotional wreckage of the aftermath.

Written by Mr. Ellis, who is a third-year acting student at Juilliard, as a channel for his grief, the play had a one-night workshop performance with Juilliard actors and producers in December, before being accepted by the Storm Theatre for a limited run this spring. It also has been produced by Florida State University’s ArtReach group. One million cases of domestic violence are reported each year, 85% of them crimes against women. UGLy also represents Nels’on Ellis’ education about domestic violence, and a plea to all of us to re-think our responses.

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Tickets are $15, cash only at the door. There are no reservations or advance sales. Proceeds benefit Safe Horizons, a leading nonprofit victim assistance, advocacy, and violence prevention organization that helps more than 400,000 victims of crime and abuse annually. Founded under the name Victim Services, the organization also promotes justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities.

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Each night after the show, educators sponsored by Safe Horizons will speak to audiences and maintain a station in the lobby of the theater with information about domestic violence and resource listings of where to obtain help.

The Cast:

Edwina Findley - Alice Marie, eldest daughter of Peaches

François Battiste (1st year Juilliard) - Spoke, Married to Alice Marie

Jessie Roche - Little Leon, Child of Spoke and Alice Marie

Delphin T. Mantz - Peaches, Mother to Alice Marice and Yvonne

Bonita Oliver - Sweetie, Youngest sister of Peaches

Ayodele Cassel - Yvonne, Youngest daughter of Peaches

Juilliard percussionist Luke Rinderknecht has composed music for UGLy, which is heard through the play, performed by Juilliard bassist Eleonore Oppenheim. Choreography is by David Neuman, performed by Lilian Stillwell. Costumes are by Renée Vance and Jerome Parker via the Juilliard Costume Shop. Master Electrician is Scott Simons. All are Juilliard staff or students, and are donating their services to the run of UGLy. Chuck Cameron is the Lighting Designer. An article about the play can be found in The Juilliard Journal Online, at: http://www.juilliard.edu/update/journal/1099journal_story_0305.asp.