The University of Iowa’s Hancher will present the world premiere of Out of Bounds, a new play written by UI alumna Jennifer Fawcett and Working Group Theatre, Thursday through Saturday, May 1-3, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. at Riverside Theatre, 213 North Gilbert St.in Iowa City. Hancher commissioned the play, which is directed by Sean Christopher Lewis.

Out of Bounds is part of a larger project focused on issues of cyber-bullying. The play has been created using interviews with local families, teachers, and school administrators, and in collaboration with the UI College of Public Health.

The current play complements a youth-oriented play of the same name that Working Group Theatre created for school performances. Also commissioned by Hancher, that play toured to area junior high and middle schools in November and February. Plans call for more touring in the fall.

The adult-themed Out of Bounds follows Amy and her mother, Allison, through a difficult school year as they both deal with repeated bullying online and in school. Woven into the story are other stories taken from interviews that will be illustrated through puppetry and graphic illustrations projected onto the wall with an overhead projector. A choir of kids and adults who have all dealt with bullying in one form or another will be part of the performance, closing the show with an original song written by local musician/songwriter Katie Roche of the Awful Purdies.

The creative team includes shadow puppeteers Buffy Quintero and Jen Shook, as well as graphic artist Benjamin Mackey. The cast includes Kristy Hartsgrove-Mooers, Tim Budd, Barrington Vaxter, Matthew James, and Emily Hinkler.

Out of Bounds is the third play Hancher has commissioned by Working Group Theatre. Mayberry investigated issues of race in Iowa City; The Broken Chord explored memory loss and caregiving in the community.

The performances of Out of Bounds are supported by the Hancher Partners and gifts to the Hancher Circle through the University of Iowa Foundation.

Tickets are $25 for nonstudents, $22.50 for senior citizens, and $10 for college students and youth from the Hancher Box Office.

The Hancher Box Office, located on the first floor of the south end of the Old Capitol Town Center near the parking ramp, is open for phone (319-335-1160 or 800-HANCHER) or walk-up business from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Tickets may be ordered online at the Hancher website. Any remaining tickets will be available for sale one hour before show time at Riverside Theatre.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact the Hancher Box Office in advance at 319-335-1158.