Jubilant Sykes, Kecia Lewis-Evans and More Join Hartford Stage's BREATH & IMAGINATION, Now thru 2/9

Library Talks take place at 7:30 p.m. January 3 at the West Hartford Public Library, 20 S. Main Street, West Hartford, and at 7 p.m. on January 9 at Prosser Library, One Tunxis Avenue, Bloomfield. Senior Dramaturg ElizaBeth Williamson gives community talks on each show in the season, at the West Hartford and Bloomfield Public Libraries.

Darko's Den takes place at 5:45 p.m. January 15, before the 7:30 p.m. performance. Join Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and his guests for cocktails as they discuss the "why's and how's of creating theatre." Tickets are $21 (performance not included) and can be purchased at hartfordstage.org.

The Producer's Table takes place at 5:45 p.m. January 24, before the 7:30 p.m. performance. Managing Director Mike Stotts hosts a pre-show dinner, where he gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a play. Tickets are $21 (performance not included) and can be purchased at hartfordstage.org.

Dinner + Design takes place at 5:45 p.m. January 16. Technical Director Aaron Bleck shares what it takes to create the theatrical worlds of our season. Learn more about the magic that happens backstage while enjoying a pre-show dinner. (Dinner at 6 p.m. before the 7:30 p.m. curtain.) Tickets are $21 (performance not included) and can be purchased at hartfordstage.org.

The AfterWords Discussions take place January 22, 23, 29 and 30. Join members of the cast and our Artistic staff for a free discussion, immediately following 7:30 p.m. performances on Tuesdays or 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesdays. FREE.

The Sunday Afternoon Discussion takes place January 20. Enjoy a lecture from artists and scholars connected with the production immediately following the 2 p.m. matinee. FREE.

FreeView takes place at 12 p.m. January 17. A preview of select scenes from the production followed by an intimate Q & A session with the actors and director. Enter to win great prizes and receive special show discounts just for attending.

LGBT Night Out takes place at 6:15 p.m. January 17. Pre-show nosh and complimentary wine (plus drink specials at the bar) for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patrons. FREE.

Hartford Stage, since its founding in 1963, has been known for innovative revivals of classics and the development of important new works, including 65 World or American premieres. Recent work includes Quiara Alegria Hudes' Water by the Spoonful, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Horton Foote's The Orphans' Home Cycle which had a celebrated run at the Signature Theatre in New York during the 2009-2010 season; a landmark production of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird; the premieres of Michael Kramer's Divine Rivalry; and Daniel Beaty's Resurrection (later retitled Through the Night, which had a successful run off-Broadway during the 2010-11 season). In 1998 the theatre launched an unprecedented ten-year retrospective of Tennessee Williams, which included the premiere of three plays. Other new work includes the premieres of Eve Ensler's Necessary Targets, Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo, Matthew Barber's Enchanted April (which transferred to Broadway), Matthew Lombardo's Tea at Five, and many others. The theatre has earned numerous distinguished honors, including a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Margo Jones Award, OBIE awards, New York Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. In 2005 Hartford Stage was awarded The Hartford Courant's Tapestry Award recognizing its outstanding work in diversity, and in 2008 it was awarded the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder's Award recognizing its excellence in building community in Greater Hartford. Hartford Stage is currently under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts.