Aspie Works is back to kick off its 2015 theater campaign, with a staged reading of the Shakespeare poem The Rape of Lucrece on Friday, April 24 at 7:30pm at the Rochester Brainery.  Label founder Justin Rielly is producing and directing the presentation.

Set in ancient Rome, the poem follows the harrowing incident of Tarquin, the emperor’s son, attacking the royal noblewoman Lucrece – and the inevitable consequences to follow, which led to the downfall of the monarchy.

This production will feature an all-female ensemble including Lauren Leone Baker, Fiona Criddle, Nancy Fancher, Susanna Guarino, Cassandra Lamantia, Jacqueline Moe and Haven Shea.  Frequent Aspie Works collaborator Cassandra Kelly executive produces, along with the Brainery’s founders Danielle Raymo and Stephanie Rankin.

The reading will also feature a post-show discussion with community experts involved in addressing the issues of rape culture, sexual assault and domestic violence.

Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for students under 25 with ID; 100% of the proceeds will benefit RESTORE, an organization dedicated to helping survivors and families affected by rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.

For more information on this and other Aspie Works projects, check out this website along with its feeds on Facebook and Twitter.