Trinity College’s Austin Arts Center presents HartBeat Ensemble’s production of Athol Fugard’s A Lesson from Aloes, featuring ensemble members Brian Jennings and Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., along with longtime Hartford Stage A Christmas Carol veteran (and recently Theater Works’ Circus Fire!) Rebecka Jones. Set in 1963 South Africa’s apartheid-era Port Elizabeth, A Lesson from Aloes explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival through the reunion of an anti-apartheid white Afrikaner couple, Piet and Gladys, and their Black activist friend, Steve, who has just been released from prison on a one-way exit visa. The play uses the symbolism of the aloe plant to represent endurance, while the characters confront their past anti-apartheid activism, the psychological toll of the police state, and the painful realities of their tattered relationships and lost country. A Lesson from Aloes is HartBeat’s latest interpretation of Fugard’s work, following their acclaimed production of My Children! My Africa! in 2022.

TICKET INFORMATION

With this production of A Lesson from Aloes, the AAC is experimenting with sliding-scale ticket pricing. All tickets are general admission, regardless of price. However, inspired by gift economies, this model invites you to support continued guest artist programming at the AAC by giving according to your means. As always, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Trinity College students are especially encouraged to take advantage of free tickets as needed.

EVENT LOGISTICS

• Click here for directions to the AAC and click here to access a Trinity College campus map.
• Goodwin Theater will open for seating 30 minutes before each scheduled performance.
• No food or drink is allowed inside Goodwin Theater, except water in closed containers.
• The use of cameras or recording equipment is strictly prohibited.
• We strongly encourage audience members to stay for the duration of each performance.