Filled with warm humor and tremendous heart, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets, and laughs while working together on the factory floor in industrial Pennsylvania. But when layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, the friends find themselves pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat.
—“A bracingly topical portrait of American dreams deferred.” (The New York Times)
SWEAT is made possible thanks to the generous support** of Show Sponsors Dana Tom and Nancy Kawakita.
Director: ShawnJ West
Fights Coordinator: Kristen Matia
Scenic Designer: Kevin Davies
Costume Designer: Nia Jacobs
Hair/Makeup Designer: Nicole Hoke
Lighting Designer: Chris Beer
Sound Designer & Supervisor: Jeff Grafton
Properties Designer: Greet Jaspaert
Stage Manager: Lauren Howry
Assistant Stage Manager & Wardrobe Assistant: Kate Goldman
Technical Director & Master Carpenter: Kevin Davies
Master Electrician: Darbus Oldham
Oscar: Aaron Edejer
Jessie: Tannis Hanson
Brucie: Anthony Haynes
Jason: Will Livingston
Tracey: Amy Meyers
Evan: Benjamin Pierson
Cynthia: Kimberly Ridgeway
Stan: Scott Solomon
Chris: Adam C. Torrian
**For more information about named production support please contact Artistic Director Patrick Klein at pklein@paplayers.org or visit paplayers.org/production-sponsorships.
Special events taking place during the run of this show include:
Preview Night: Pick-Your-Price
Friday, June 13, 2025
Pick-Your-Price Night makes theatre affordable for all. Choose from three ticket price suggestions.
Opening Night
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Enjoy a post-show champagne/sparkling cider toast in the outdoor courtyard, FREE with the purchase of a ticket for that evening’s performance.
Pre-Show Pours
Friday, June 20, 2025
For those 21+, join us before the show to enjoy complimentary beer or wine, FREE with the purchase of a ticket for that evening’s performance. Bar service opens at 6:30 pm.
Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, June 21 at 2:00 PM
Live Audio Description and Haptic Access Tour, by a Gravity Access Services interpreter, for visually impaired audience members. Haptic Tour (approximately 20 minutes duration) begins one hour before the performance. Purchase tickets here. Seats marked with an “i” symbol offer “AD” ticket types, enabling purchasers to register that user for an Audio Description headset. You may also contact the box office to reserve an audio headset, let us know you’re bringing a guide dog, or get more information about this performance. This performance is supported by SV Creates, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara. We thank them for their generous grant to improve accessibility for our actors and audience members.
ASL-Interpreted Performance
Sunday, June 22, 2025
An American Sign Language interpreter will be located near the stage at House Left for patrons who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing. Seats marked with an “i” symbol provide the best sight lines to follow the interpretation and the action on stage. This performance is supported by SV Creates, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara.
Post-Show Cast Talkback
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Enrich your experience at our Talkback series with the director and the cast following the performance, FREE with the purchase of a ticket for any performance during the run.
Make a Play Date Performance
Sunday, June 29, 2025
20 kids maximum | FREE with the purchase of an adult 6/29 ticket to SWEAT
Parents, enjoy the final matinee of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama SWEAT while your kids attend a free theatre class in the Lucie Stern Community Room next to the theater! Professional teaching artists within our Palo Alto Players community will provide snacks, activities, and theatre games for children ages 5-12 during the final matinee, to allow their parent(s) or guardian(s) attend the play. The class is FREE for kids whose adult purchases a 6/29 ticket to SWEAT. Get your tickets first, then visit bit.ly/SWTCLASS to secure your child’s free “Make a Play Date” theatre class spot!