Theater News

Melissa Leo Joins Williamstown Theatre Festival Reading of Safe Space

The Oscar winner will star opposite André Holland.

Melissa Leo will join the cast of a reading of Safe Space at Williamstown.
Melissa Leo will join the cast of a reading of Safe Space at Williamstown Theatre Festival.
(© David Gordon)

Williamstown Theatre Festival has announced the additional casting of Academy Award-winning actor Melissa Leo in the reading of Alan Fox's new drama Safe Space at the Clark Art Institute on June 8 at 7pm. Artistic director Mandy Greenfield will provide a sneak peek of the upcoming WTF 2017 season.

Safe Space tells the tale of Marcus Wood (André Holland), a passionate professor facing a complicated accusation from a student. The university’s president (Leo) intervenes, and campus-wide protests erupt. With the university’s reputation hanging in the balance, professor, president, and student must weigh identity politics, ethics, and core beliefs as they negotiate a way forward.

In addition to winning the 2011 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in The Fighter, Leo has garnered Oscar and SAG Award nominations for her leading role in the 2008 film Frozen River. Leo was recognized most recently for her award-nominated performance as Lady Bird Johnson in the HBO movie All the Way as well as her Primetime Emmy Award-winning guest performance on FX's Louie.