How to Defend Yourself Hits the Mats With Production Photos

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Production Photos How to Defend Yourself Hits the Mats With Production Photos

The Off-Broadway play at NYTW follows college students trying to navigate consent and learn self-defense.

By Leah Putnam

March 15, 2023

Ariana Mahallati, Sarah Marie Rodriguez, Talia Ryder, Gabriela Ortega, and Amaya Braganza Joan Marcus

Join the class of Liliana Padilla's How to Defend Yourself with new photos of the Off-Broadway production at New York Theatre Workshop. The limited engagement began February 22 and opened March 13. Performances are set through April 2. Read the reviews here.

Padilla (TWITCH), Tony winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown), and Steph Paul (The Last Match) co-direct the play. It follows a group of college students in a DIY self-defense class to learn how "not to be a victim" after a brutal rape takes place on campus. The moves they learn are meant to help fend off attackers, but they become ways to also channel anger, anxiety, trauma—and desire.

Sebastian Delascasas, Ariana Mahallati, Talia Ryder, Jayson Lee, Gabriela Ortega, Sarah Marie Rodriguez, and Amaya Braganza Joan Marcus

The cast stars Amaya Braganza (The King and I), Sebastian Delascasas (Promise), Jayson Lee (Hooded: or being black for dummies), Ariana Mahallati (The Sky’s Forest), Teagan Meredith (The Calling), Gabriela Ortega (Safe Haven), Sarah Marie Rodriguez (Manifest), and Talia Ryder (Do Revenge).

How to Defend Yourself discusses, but does not depict, sex or sexual violence.

The creative team also includes scenic designer You-Shin Chen (Walden), costume designer Izumi Inaba (Kill Move Paradise), lighting designer Stacey Derosier (Fat Ham), and sound designer Tony winner Mikhail Fiksel (Dana H.). Also serving on the creative team are fight director Rocio Mendez (On Sugarland), intimacy coordinator Ann James (Pass Over), vocal coach Dawn-Elin Fraser (Slave Play), and stage manager Katie Young (A Case for the Existence of God). Casting is by Cindy Tolan, Erica Hart, and Nicholas Petrovich.

NYTW is offering a block of tickets to every performance for audience members 30 and younger for $30, in addition to its Cheaptix and Cheaptix Rush programs.

Visit NYTW.org.