>> Ted: COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, THE LATEST ON CONCERNS THAT NEW RECOUNTS LAWS COULD CAUSE DELAYS IN UPCOMING ELECTION RESULTS.

>>> HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OPENS A NEW TRAINING CENTER TO TEACH CONSTRUCTION AND HOME-BUILDING SKILLS.

>> WE HEAR FROM THE BLACK THEATER TROOP ON AUGUST WILSON'S, THE PIANO LESSON.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY FRIENDS OF PBS, MEMBERS OF YOUR PBS STATION.

THANK YOU.

>> Ted: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE ARIZONA NATIONAL GUARD IS NOW SAYING THAT APPROXIMATELY 40 NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE MEMBERS ARE WOUNDED IN SUNDAY'S ATTACK ON A SUCH BASE IN JORDAN.

THEY REPORT THE INJURIES ARE FROM CUTS AND BRUISES TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES WITH THREE ARIZONA SOLDIERS MEDICALLY EVACUATED WITH NONLIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

THE OTHERS HAVE RETURNED TO DUTY AND PROXY FORCES KILLED THREE U.S.

SOLDIERS, THE FIRST SINCE THE START OF THE WAR IN GAZA.

>>> A BIPARTISAN GROUP INCLUDING KYRSTEN SINEMA CONTINUE TO CLOSE IN ON A DEAL WITH THE WHITE HOUSE TO ENACT SWEEPING NEW BORDER CONTROLS, BUT THE DEAL GETTING PAST THE HOUSE WILL BE TOUGH DUE TO TRUMP REPORTEDLY PRESSURING REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TO VOTE AGAINST ANY AND ALL LEGISLATION.

RESPONSE FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> MAGA REPUBLICANS ARE WALKING AWAY FROM A BIPARTISAN DEAL THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN BORDER SECURITY, SUPPORT ISRAEL AND HELP UKRAINE STOP PUTIN'S MARCH THROUGH EUROPE BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP ORDERED THEM TO DO SO.

IN THE SHAMEFUL DISPLACE OF PARTISANSHIP, THEIR ABDICATING THIS ON THE BEHALF THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE.

WE HAVE ONLY A TINY, ONE-VOTE MAJORITY RIGHT NOW IN THE HOUSE.

OUR MAJORITY IS SMALL.

WE ONLY HAVE IT IN ONE CHAMBER AND WE'RE TRYING TO USE EVERY OUNCE OF LEVERAGE WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED.

I HAVE TALKED TO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP ABOUT THIS ISSUE AT LENGTH AND HE UNDERSTANDS THAT.

HE UNDERSTANDS WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THIS.

>> Ted: ACCORDING TO REPORTS, A DEAL FINALIZED INCLUDING OVERHAULING REQUIREMENTS FOR MIGRANTS SEEKING ASYLUM AND SHUTTING DOWN THE BORDER IF IT HITS MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND A DAY.

>> THEY MARKED UP IMPEACHMENT AGAINST ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS AND THAT DESPITE THE INQUIRY INTO ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS DETAILING HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANOR AND REPUBLICANS SAY ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS TO GO.

>> WE CAN'T ALLOW FENTANYL TO CROSS OUR BORDER AND CANNOT ALLOW A CABINET SECRETARY LIKE THIS, AS A RULE OF LAW, TO REMAIN IN OFFICE.

THAT IS WHY TODAY, WE PRESENT THIS COMMITTEE WITH THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS.

>> Ted: HE RESPONDED WITH A SIX-PAGE LETTER DESCRIBING THIS AS, QUOTE, BASELESS.

>>> JOB OPENINGS GREW LAST MONTH WHICH WAS A SURPRISE TO ANALYSTS.

THE INCREASE PUTS THE NUMBER OF JOB OPENINGS IN THE U.S. AT NINE MILLION WHICH IS AN INCREASE AND BELOW THE HIGH OF 12 MILLION BACK IN MARCH OF 2022.

SPEAKING OF JOBS, UPS IS CUTTING 12,000 JOBS TO SAVE A BILLION DOLLARS IN COSTS.

MANAGERS AND CONTRACTORS WILL MAKE UP THE LAYOFFS.

THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BACK THE BUSINESS DURING THE THREATENED TEAMSTER STRIKE.

UPS EXPECTS TO GET MOST CUSTOMERS BACK AND SO FAR, ONLY 60% HAS RETURNED.

>>> STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS AND LAWMAKERS ARE CONCERNED OVER A RECOUNT LAW THAT COULD MAKE FOR ALL SORTS OF ELECTION DELAYS AND ELECTION-RELATED PROBLEMS.

WE WELCOME THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.

JEN, GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Ted: THE AUTOMATIC RECOUNT LAW, THE CHANGES, WHAT HAS CHANGED AND WHY IS IT A CONCERN?

>> SO IN 2022, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW THAT ALTERED THE THRESHOLD FOR WHEN RECOUNTS ARE TRIGGERED AND IT'S LIKELY WE'LL HAVE RECOUNTS MORE SO THAN BEFORE.

NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE LAW, BUT ARIZONA'S POLITICS SEEM TO BE CHANGING IN RECENT YEARS AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE TO HAVE TIME TO DEAL WITH RECOUNTS IF THEY TRIGGER.

>> Ted: THE TIME YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH RECOUNTS, HAS THAT CHANGED?

>> WHEN AN ELECTION HAPPENS AND A RECOUNT IS TRIGGERED, WE HAVE TO DO WRAP UP THE ORIGINAL ELECTION BEFORE WE CAN START ANYTHING WITH THE RECOUNT.

IT WAS ONE AFTER THE PRIMARY AND ONE AFTER THE GENERAL.

IF WE DON'T CONDENSE THE EXISTING ELECTION CALENDAR TO ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR THE INITIAL ELECTION AND RECOUNT TO OCCUR, WE MAY MISS BOTH DEADLINES.

>> Ted: SO WHAT IS THE LEGISLATURE DOING RIGHT NOW TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS?

HOW FAR HAS IT GONE AND THIS HAS TO BE DONE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS?

>> WE'VE BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS SINCE SEPTEMBER IN ERNEST WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, SECRETARY OF STATE, EVERYBODY WHO IS STAKEHOLDER.

ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS ON THE TABLE IS MOVING THE PRIMARY AND IF WE DO THAT, WE NEED TO MAKE THAT DECISION SOON.

>> Ted: BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GET THE BALLOTS OUT, CORRECT?

>> MOVING THE PRIMARY AND DOING THIS SOON HAS MORE TO DO WITH MAKING SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH LOCATIONS TO HOLD THE ELECTION BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTIONS THAT THE COUNTIES HAVE CONTRACTED WITH ARE FOR X DATES.

IF WE CHANGE THAT DATE, WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH VOTING ELECTIONS FOR THE NEW PRIMARY DATE.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS GETTING BALLOTS OUT, AFTER LET'S SAY THE PRIMARY OR A RECOUNT, YOU HAVE TO GET THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT AND HAVE TIME FOR THAT, CORRECT?

>> SO FEDERAL LAW SAYS THAT FOR OUR MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS, WE HAVE TO SEND THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT 45 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, SEPTEMBER 21st CURRENTLY.

SO WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE PRIMARY ELECTION WRAPPED UP, THE RECOUNT TOTALLY DONE AND CANVASSED, NEW BALLOTS FOR THE GENERAL WRAPPED UP AND SENT OUT TO THOSE VOTERS IN TIME.

>> Ted: SO MOVING THE PRIMARY DATE AUGUST TO JULY, IS THAT DOABLE AND WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS?

>> IT'S A BIG LIST, NO DOUBT.

EVERYBODY IS INVOLVED, IMPACTING VOTERS AND CANDIDATES AND DOABLE.

WE MADE TO DO IT SOON.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS THE COUNTIES ARE CONCERNED, ARE THE COUNTIES RELATIVELY LINE IT'S UP OR ANY DISCOURAGING WORD?

>> AS A WHOLE, THE COUNTY RECORDERS AND ELECTION DIRECTORS HAVE COME TOGETHER AND THEY'VE BEEN AT THE TABLE IN PART OF THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND MOVING THE PRIMARY AND SOME OF THE OTHER SOLUTIONS ON THE SLATE, THEY ARE AGREEING TO DO THOSE THINGS.

>> Ted: WHAT IF MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS DON'T GET THOSE BALLOTS, WHAT HAPPENS?

>> THAT'S HORRIBLE!

NUMBER ONE, IF WE SEND THEM THE WRONG BALLOT BY THE RIGHT DEADLINE AND THE RIGHT BALLOT WHEN WE GET IT TOGETHER, THAT'S CONFUSING AND WE WANT THEM TO RETURN THEIR BALLOT IN TIME SO THEIR VOTES DOWN TOWARDS THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> Ted: WE TALKED ABOUT MOVING THE PRIMARY DATE BACK AND IT MAY BE NECESSARY.

WOULD IT BE NECESSARY TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS, WHATEVER HAS TO BE DONE WITH THE BALLOTS ONCE THE ELECTION IS SUPPOSED TO BE OVER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MOST ARE ADMINISTRATIVE THINGS BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> Ted: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?

LAWMAKERS ARE SCURRYING ABOUT TRYING TO FIX THIS OUT AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE THEM DO?

WE WANT A CLEAN SOLUTION GIVING US THE NUMBER OF DAYS THAT COUNTY ELECTION EXPERTS HAVE SAID THEY NEED.

19 DAYS IN THE PRIMARY CYCLE AND 17 DAYS POST GENERAL SO WE CAN DO ALL OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO IF RECOUNTS ARE TRIGGERED.

>> Ted: WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM?

19 AND 17, TWO NUMBERS RIGHT THERE AND WHAT'S THE PROBLEM THERE?

>> SO WE NEED TO CONDENSE THE EXISTING ELECTION CALENDAR.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, RIGHT NOW, WE ALLOW CANDIDATES FIVE DAYS TO PROOF THE BALLOT.

HEY, HERE IS THE BALLOT.

IS YOUR NAME SPELLED RIGHT?

ARE YOU LISTED UNDER THE RIGHT OFFICE?

WE DON'T THINK IT TAKES FIVE DAYS AND WE GIVE THEM TWO DAYS AND SAVED THREE DAYS THERE.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS THE LEGISLATURE IS CONCERNED AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, AS WELL, WHICH THEY HAVE TO AGREE TO THIS, TOO, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

YOU JUST TOLD ME THE ANSWER AND WHO IS SAYING TO AND WHY?

>> I THINK THERE ARE THREE MAIN STICKING POINTS.

MOVING THE PRIMARY IS A BIG LIST AND THERE ARE SOME LEGISLATORS THAT HAVE A CHALLENGE WITH THAT.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS CONCERNED WITH MOVING THE CURE WHICH IS A DATE BY WHICH PEOPLE CAN COME AND SECURE A BALLOT WHICH HAS A BAD SIGNATURE POST ELECTION DATE.

AND I THINK THE THIRD POINT IS THE NATURE OF POLITICS.

WHENEVER YOU HAVE AN ISSUE THIS BIG, BOTH SIDES WANT TO PUT OTHER PIECES OF LEGISLATION INSIDE AND AND WE'RE TALKING WHICH ONES ARE FINAL, DOABLE BY THE COUNTY.

>> Ted: I TOUCHED ON THIS EARLIER, BUT, AGAIN, IF NOTHING GETS DONE, IF IT'S A COMPLETE GRIDLOCK AND IT GOES DOWN THE TOILET, WHAT HAPPENS?

>> WELL, WE WILL BE DISENFRANCHISING THE MILITARY AND OVERSEAING VOTERS AND WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT AND POST GENERAL ELECTION, ARIZONA'S VOTE FOR PRESIDENT ARE IN DANGER OF NOT BEING COUNTED.

>> Ted: OH, BOY, THAT WILL BE A LOT OF FUN.

ARIZONA ASSOCIATION AND THE COUNTIES ARE ALL ON BOARD AND YOU DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH DISCREPANCY THERE, BUT IT'S GETTING THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR ON BOARD.

>> WELL, AND MAKING SURE THE SOLUTION IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO.

>> Ted: JEN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>>> UP NEXT, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S PROGRAM THAT TEACHES HOME-BUILDING SKILLS.

>> I'M THE HOST AND HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE ARIZONA PBS eNEWSLETTER.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MONTHLY RESOURCE AND CREATE THIS HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

THEY HIGHLIGHT ARIZONA PROGRAMMING AND FEATURES LEARNING RESOURCES FOR KIDS.

DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS, IMPORTANT HEADLINES AND A GREEK COLUMN FROM YOURS TRULY.

>> THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE IS SOMETHING WE ALL SHARE.

BY PREPARING AN ESTATE PLAN, YOU'RE SAFEGUARDING MATTERS OF FINANCES AND INHERITANCE.

YOU'RE GUIDING THE FUTURE HEALTH DECISIONS, PROVIDING FOR LOVED ONES AND CREATING YOUR LEGACY.

ESTATE PLANS HELP YOU TO PROTECT THINGS THAT MATTER MOST.

PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE BY PLANNING YOUR FUTURE TODAY.

>> Ted: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OPENED A NEW CENTER THAT IS DESIGNED TO TEACH CONSTRUCTION SKILLS TO HELP THOSE LOOKING TO FILL CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS THE CEO, JASON BARLOW.

YOU GUYS ARE DOING ALL SORTS OF WORK.

YOU'RE ALWAYS BUSY.

BEFORE WE GET GOING TOO FAR, EVERYTHING THINKS THEY KNOW WHAT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS, BUT YOU GIVE ME A DEFINITION.

>> WE BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD HOMES, COMMUNITIES AND HOPE.

WE HAVE BUILT AND SERVED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HERE IN THE VALLEY OVER OUR HISTORY AND MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT TWO THINGS, THAT WE GIVE AWAY OUR HOMES.

JIMMY CARTER IS OUR FOUNDER AND NEITHER IS TRUE.

THEY BUY THEIR HOMES FROM US AND THEN THOSE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS COME BACK.

BUT WE ARE KNOWN FOR REPAIRS AND WE HAVE A BIG REPAIR PROGRAM AND SO THIS IS HOW WE GOT STARTED DOWN THIS CONSTRUCTION TRAINING PATH.

>> Ted: JIMMY CARTER DIDN'T FOUND IT?

>> HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL FOUNDER BUT PUT US ON THE MAP AND OUR BIGGEST SUPPORTER.

>> Ted: REPAIRING, RENOVATING HOMES AND A GREAT JOB DOING THAT AND YOU HAVE A NEW CENTER TEACHING CONSTRUCTION SEAL AND WHAT IS THAT?

>> THE CONSTRUCTION TRAINING CENTER OFFICIALLY OPENED DECEMBER 8th AND KATIE HOBBS WAS THERE TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SKILL'S TRAINING AND SO WE'VE BEEN IN THE VALLEY FOR SO LONG FIXING AND BUILDING HOMES, WE'RE GREAT AT TRAINING AND TAKE PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE ON A SATURDAY, COME OUT TO A HABITAT HOME OR A REPAIR SITE.

THEY BUILD THE HOME AND WE TEACH THEM EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW.

SO WHY DON'T WE DO THAT IN A CLASSROOM AND TRY TO FILL THE GAP OF MISSING CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN THE VALLEY.

>> Ted: YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TRAINING PEOPLE WELL ENOUGH FOR EMPLOYMENT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S GRADUATE WITH SEVERAL CERTIFICATIONS, NATIONAL CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CERTIFICATES AND THEY CAN GET OSHA 10, CPR, IF THEY NEED A GED, WE DO THAT, AS WELL.

>> Ted: I NOTICED THE ROLE IN THE GREEN ENVIRONMENT AND WHAT IS THAT, A CERTIFICATION?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ROLL IF THE GREEN ENVIRONMENT, WE BRING IN EXPERTS ON SOLAR PANELS, LEAD CERTIFICATIONS AND SO NOBODY I TELL THIS PROGRAM TO DOESN'T THINK THIS IS AMAZING.

THESE PEOPLE LEARN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE AND GO OUT AND WORK ON THE HABITAT HOME IN THE AFTERNOON.

FROM THE GROUND UP, WITH THE FAMILY GENERALLY, WITH THEM WORKING ALONGSIDE OF THEM.

>> Ted: WE'RE SEEING FOLKS WORKING AND TRAINING.

BUT YOU'VE GOT A MOCK-UP OF A HOME.

THAT'S FASCINATING.

A FAKE HOME THAT YOU'VE GOT EVERYONE WORKING ON.

>> OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION TRAINING CENTER HAS A CLASSROOM, A COMPUTER LAB AND LABORATORY WHICH, I GUESS, YOU'RE SEEING ON THE SCREEN SHOWING WHERE WE CAN TRAIN STUDENTS IN ELECTRICAL PLUMBING, ROOFING SKILLS AND A SLAB OF A ROOF THERE AND THEY JUST PUT STUFF ON AND UNDO IT FOR THE NEXT CLASS.

>> Ted: HOW LONG DOES THIS LAST?

YOU HAVE TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

>> IT'S ABOUT 12 TO 14 WEEKS AND WE HAVE ABOUT A 94% GRADUATION RATE AND A PLACEMENT RATE THAT'S HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THE DEVELOPERS, CONTRACTORS SAY THE NUMBER ONE THING IS A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS.

I'VE HEARD ANYWHERE FROM 40 TO 100,000 WORKER SHORT IN THE VALLEY RIGHT HERE, CONTRACTORS.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO HELP FILL THAT GAP WITH PEOPLE THAT CAN GO OUT AND GET A JOB.

>> Ted: ARE DEVELOPERS AND CONTRACTORS CONTACTING YOU?

>> WE LOVE TO HAVE THEM COME IN BECAUSE THEY CAN BRIEF A CLASS.

WE'VE HAD GARAGE DOOR COMPANIES COME IN AND TALK ABOUT THAT.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, THEY NEED CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE TO WORK ON THEIR HOMES.

SO JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE YOU THINK ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS SO MANY TIMES, EVERYONE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET MORE HOUSING.

>> RIGHT.

>> Ted: I WOULD IMAGINE THIS IS PART OF THE EQUATION, IS IT NOT?

>> THIS IS A SMALL PART BECAUSE WE FIND SPONSORS TO HELP THIS PROGRAM AND THEY WILL PAY FOR THE STUDENTS TO GO OUT AND TRAIN ON THAT HOME AND BUILD IT UP, FROM THE SLAB UP, AND I MEAN THAT IS TRAINING THAT MOST PEOPLE NEVER GET.

>> Ted: SO YOU WORK WITH EMPLOYERS ON THIS.

>> WE DO.

>> Ted: HOW MANY FOLKS THAT GRADUATE COME BACK AND SAY, I LIKE HABITAT OF HUMANITY AND I'M STICKING CLOSE TO HOME?

>> WE HAVE HIRED THREE AND WE GET PEOPLE FROM THE GRADUATING CLASS TO HELP AS VOLUNTEERS AND THEY'RE AMAZING BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING FROM DAY ONE.

>> Ted: WE STARTED WITH THE DEFINITION OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND LET'S END HOW MUCH IT HAS GROWN OVER THE YEARS AND WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S FUTURE, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

>> I THINK WE'VE GOT A BRIGHT FUTURE.

WE HAVE TREMENDOUS CAPACITY IN THIS VALLEY.

WE STILL HAVE TREMENDOUS NEED.

WE NEED TO BRING THE TWO TOGETHER.

WITH AN AGENCY LIKE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO BUILD MORE HOMES.

THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR HOMELESSNESS IS LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE'RE HELPING THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PART OF THAT SPECTRUM.

>> Ted: IF SOMEONE IS INTERESTED AND THINKING OF SWITCHING CAREERS, I KNOW SOMEONE GETTING INTO PLUMBING OR ELECTRICIAN WORK?

>> GO TO HABITATCA.ORG, CONSTRUCTION TRAINING PROGRAM OR DROP-DOWN BOX AND THEY CAN FIND OUT HOW TO APPLY.

YOU CAN SHOP AT THE STORES AND DONATE.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO HELP WITH THIS CRISIS THAT WE'RE FACING.

>> Ted: JASON BARLOW, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME IN.

♪ ♪ >> VISIT THIS WEBSITE OR CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN FOR MORE INFORMATION.

>> I'M JEFF BENNET AND TONIGHT, A ROLE BETWEEN CEASE-FIRE ON ISRAEL AND HAMAS.

>> Ted: THE BLACK THEATER TROOP TO PRESENT AUGUST WILSON'S, THE PIANO LESSON, A PRIZE-WINNING PLAY DEALING WITH A FAMILY COMING TO TERMS WITH THE PAST.

PRODUCTION IS SCHEDULED FROM FEBRUARY 2nd THROUGH THE 18th.

JOINING US NOW IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE TROOP'S PRODUCTION OF THE PIANO LESSON FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Ted: GOOD TO HAVE YOU AND SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Ted: THE PIANO LESSON, BOY, THERE'S SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT HERE AND WHO IS AUGUST WILSON IN.

>> WHO IS AUGUST WILSON?

OH, MY GOODNESS.

AUGUST WILSON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN TERMS OF THE AMERICAN THEATER.

HE HAS BEEN COMPARED TO SHAKESPEARE IN TERMS OF THE BREADTH OF HIS WRITING AND THE CONTENT THAT HE USES TO WRITE.

HE'S VERY WELL-KNOWN IN TERMS OF THAT.

>> Ted: ARE THERE TEN DIFFERENT PLAYS?

>> TEN DIFFERENT PLAYS AND THE CENTURY CYCLE.

>> Ted: WHETHER IT'S PITTSBURGH OR CENTURY, YOU'VE DONE THEM ALL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Ted: HOW MANY HAVE DONE THEM ALL?

>> FIVE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE RECEIVED AN AWARD LAST SEASON FROM THE AUGUST WILSON FOUNDATION AND THE PITTSBURGH GAZETTE FOR OUR ABILITY AND WE'RE STARTING OVER.

PIANO LESSON, WITH THE FIRST ONE AND SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE OR COULD BE PRODUCED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.

BUT PIANO LESSON WAS OUR FIRST AND NOT THE FIRST IN SERIES.

IT WAS OUR FIRST AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE STARTING WITH THIS TIME.

>> Ted: THE PIANO LESSON IS ONE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND THE ONE MOST FAMILIAR WITH, AT LEAST IN GENERAL.

YOU'RE OUT HERE FROM ATLANTA TO DIRECT THIS PLAY AND WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS PRODUCTION AND THE PIANO LESSON IN PARTICULAR?

>> TO COME OUT HERE AND WORK WITH THE BLACK THEATER TROOP IS WONDERFUL AND IT'S A STORY ABOUT AN AMERICAN FAMILY.

SOMEBODY WANTS TO BE VERY TRADITIONAL AND HAVE AN APPROACH AND AN ENTREPRENEUR.

WHAT STANDS IN BETWEEN THEM IS A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL PIANO AND HOW DO THEY SOLVE THAT WITH THE FAMILY?

IT'S A GREAT PRODUCTION TO BE A PART OF.

>> Ted: WHEN YOU DEAL A LOT WITH THE PAST AND LEGACIES AND A PIANO AND YOU'RE THE DIRECTOR, WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THERE?

>> WELL, WE START WITH HISTORY.

WE GO BACK AND SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE CLIMATE ECONOMICALLY.

THE PEOPLE IN 1936, WE WANT TO HONOR WHO THEY WERE AND THE STRUGGLES.

THEIR LANGUAGE NOW IS DIFFERENT, BUT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL THE SAME AND HOW DO YOU WORK AND WORK WITH SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Ted: AND THERE ARE GHOSTS?

>> THERE ARE.

>> Ted: HOW DO YOU DIRECT GHOSTS?

>> THE MAGICAL, THE HOLY AND IN THE AFRICAN CULTURE, THEY HAVE A MIXTURE.

WE POUR FROM WE KNOW FROM OUR ANCESTOR AND WHEN THEY CAN POP UP.

>> Ted: AUGUST, VERY IMPORTANT TO THE BLACK THEATER TROOP.

WE MENTIONED HOW MANY HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE PAST AND PIANO LESSON NOT SINCE '90'S, MAYBE?

>> IT WAS 96.

>> Ted: SO IT'S BEEN AWHILE FOR YOU, TOO.

>> A LONG WHILE.

>> Ted: BUT THE IMPORTANT OF WILSON AND SHAKESPEARE AND BECOME PART OF A CANNON, SOMETIMES YOU CAN COME OUT WITH DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AND CAN YOU DO THAT WITH AUGUST WILSON?

>> YOU CAN AND I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT.

HE'S A STRONG WRITER IN TERMS OF HIS GENIUS AND IN TERMS OF CREATING.

IT'S VERY SAFE AND I THINK IT'S SOMEWHAT OF A DISSERVICE TO TRY TO CHANGE IT LIKE THEY TAKE SHAKESPEARE.

I DON'T THINK -- AUGUST WAS IN PRODUCTIONS AND SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY'RE SO CENTURY SPECIFIC.

>> TIME SENSITIVE.

>> Ted: YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> YOU WANT TO BE TRUE TO THAT.

THAT'S A PARTICULAR AUGUST WILSON PLAY AND SET IN THEIR '30'S AND '40'S AND '50'S.

>> Ted: AS A DIRECTOR WHEN YOU HAVE DIFFERENT ACTORS, DO THE DIFFERENT ACTORS CHANGE THE PRODUCTION?

>> 1000 %.

I WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY'LL BRING TO THE PROCESS AND WHAT IS MEANINGFUL TO THEM THROUGH HISTORY AND WHERE WILY RIGHT NOW.

AND WE LET THEM BRING THAT OUT OF THEMSELVES.

>> Ted: SIT DIFFICULT FOR A DIRECTOR?

MAYBE IT'S NOT WHAT YOU ENVISIONED.

>> YOU HOPE THAT WILL HAPPEN.

YOU CAN'T KNOW THE WHOLE PROCESS.

I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE ANSWERS.

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL, SMART, GREAT CAST.

>> Ted: THE AUDIENCE RESPONSE?

>> AUGUST WILSON IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST -- IN TERMS OF THE AUDIENCE RESPONSE, OUR AUDIENCES ENJOY AUGUST WILSON AND HE IS, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, A RICH WRITER THAT IT GIVES AUDIENCES A CHANCE TO -- VERY PROVOCATIVE.

YOU LEAVE THERE WANTING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE JUST SEEN AND HE EVOKES THAT SPIRIT WITHIN PEOPLE.

>> Ted: DOES THAT ADD THE PRESSURE ON A DIRECTOR?

>> AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE LAST TIME I SAW THE PIANOMAN, I SAT NEXT TO HIM.

THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME.

>> Ted: HOW DID HE REACT?

SHE PUT SOME OF THE MOVES INTO THE PLAY AND WONDERFUL TO SEE HIM APPRECIATE HIS WORK.

>> Ted: WHAT A GIFT THAT MUST BE.

FEBRUARY 2nd THROUGH 18th?

>> THE SECOND THROUGH 18, WWWBLACKTHEATER.ORG.

WE'RE HAVING A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE BLACK PROJECT HUMANITIES.

THEY RAISED FUNDS FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> Ted: GENTLEMEN, BREAK A LEG AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Ted: THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.