BAD DATES SHOE DRIVE

Merrimack Repertory Theatre Partners with SuitAbility

Drop off new or gently worn women’s dress shoes at Tranced

Running February 12 – March 8 at Merrimack Rep 

Lowell, MA – Merrimack Repertory Theatre is proud to announce a partnership with Community Teamwork’s SuitAbility program for a shoe and shoe box drive for the upcoming MRT production of Bad Dates. In Bad Dates, Haley Walker is a single mom and successful business owner living in New York City. She is obsessed with shoes, and claims to have over 600 pairs in her closet. To help complete her collection, MRT will hold a shoe and shoe box drive during the run of Tranced, which runs February 12 – March 8. Donated shoes and shoe boxes will be used in the production of Bad Dates, and then donated to SuitAbility. SuitAbility is a Lowell-based charity that provides interview and work clothing to low-income women. New or gently worn women’s dress shoes may be dropped off at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 East Merrimack Street in Downtown Lowell between February 12 and March 8. 

The following is a list of brands needed for the shoe drive: Chanel, Nine West, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and any other shoes from a notable designer or high-end department store.  Shoe boxes for these brands are also needed.  While they may not be used in the production, MRT will also collect other brands of new or gently used women’s dress shoes.

After Bad Dates closes on April 12, all of the shoes collected in the drive will be donated to SuitAbility. SuitAbility is a program of Community Teamwork, Inc. created to enhance the marketability of economically challenged women. SuitAbility provides free employment related services such as interview/work clothing and employment/life skill workshops to low-income women.

SuitAbility is committed to helping women become self sufficient and economically independent by bridging the gap between job training programs and employment. After completing a job-training program, women have the skills to perform, but often cannot afford the appropriate attire for the initial interview and subsequent job. SuitAbility provides interview clothing at no cost to women applying for a position at any level in both traditional and non-traditional fields. Coupling skills with a professional and self-confident appearance is vital to securing employment. Appropriate interview clothing is an important aspect in creating the right image. By providing the clothing for an interview and other services, SuitAbility helps to fill the gap, increase economic independence, and motivate women to provide a better life for themselves and their families.

For more information on Merrimack Repertory Theatre or the Bad Dates Shoe Drive, please contact Dan Berube at 978.654.7595 or berube@merrimackrep.org.

For MRT show times, tickets, season information, directions, or to request a brochure, please visit www.merrimackrep.org or call the Box Office at 978.654.4MRT (4678).

For more information about on SuitAbility please contact Kathy Hayes, Director at 978.934.8898.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre is located in beautiful historic downtown Lowell at Liberty Hall, the Company’s 308-seat theatre, 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852 (adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium).  Each season, MRT presents an eclectic mix of six contemporary productions, engaging the best available actors, designers and directors in the country.  Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary, MRT’s mission is “To advance the cause of human understanding by creating theatrical productions at the highest level of artistic excellence and making them affordable to the broadest possible community.”  MRT’s unique artistic vision is shaped by a passion for excellence and a profound commitment to its community.  MRT strives to enhance the community’s life while contributing to its economic strength, measuring success by the depth of the Company’s artistic and social contribution to the region.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre's 2008-2009 Season
The Fantasticks book & lyrics by Tom Jones Music by Harvey Schmidt, October 16-November 9; Skylight by David Hare, November 20-December 14; A View of the Harbor by Richard Dresser, January 8 - February 1; Tranced by Bob Clyman, February 12-March 8; Bad Dates by Theresa Rebeck, March 19-April 12; A Moon for the Misbegotten by Eugene O'Neill, April 18 - May 17.

###