New American Plays Intiative
The University of New Mexico Department of Theatre and Dance’s award winning Dramatic Writing Program is pleased to announce the debut of the New American Plays Initiative, a partnership with the prestigious Drama League of New York City. Three innovative young Drama League directors shape the premieres and readings of our new plays during the 9th Annual Words Afire Festival, April 24 through May 3, 2009, in Rodey Theatre and The Experimental Theatre on UNM’s Main Campus. This collaboration will not only provide the MFA student writers with professional connections and experiences, but the association between the two programs will bring increased professional awareness to the UNM Department of Theatre and Dance. The guest directors, Michael Goldfried, Lauren Keating, and Kerry Whigham are all part of the Directors Project of the Drama League of New York. Now in its twenty-fifth year, The Directors Project has advanced the careers of over 220 talented young directors and has become the preeminent development program for new directors -- providing talented young artists with experiences in the professional theatrical world.
2009 WORDS AFIRE FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS APRIL 24-MAY 3
April 24, 2009 - Kickoff Party!
Come celebrate the opening of the festival with us at 6pm!
The Big Come
By Marz Mráz
Directed by Lauren Keating
Dr. Beaver spent his life acquiring the largest cattle ranch in America and making a name for himself as the world’s most prolific sex-change surgeon. Now his life is ending and he struggles to decide who will inherit his land, his cattle, his money and his legacy. Instead, a hurricane destroys the ranch and his land. His son, Jason, his long-lost son, Hurricane Ted and Jason’s Mermaid girlfriend engage in a battle of life and death in order to determine who will inherit the new world. (NOTE: Due to content and language, these plays are recommended for adult audiences only.)
Rodey Theatre, Center For The Arts
Friday, April 24, 8:00pm, Saturday, April 25, 1:00pm,
Saturday, May 2, 8:00pm, Sunday, May 3, 2:00pm
Tickets: $15 General, $10 Faculty & Seniors, $8 Staff & Students,
At UNM Ticket Offices, call 925-5858, or online at http://www.unmtickets.com
More information call 277-4332
Living Purgatory
By Patricia Crespin
Directed by Michael Goldfried
Living Purgatory investigates the dark side of motherhood by exploring the lives of five women trapped in purgatory together along with a young child that was not supposed to be there. The women are given a second chance to right their wrongs on earth by returning the child back to her life before her soul dies completely. But what happens when the women succeed and the child returns to the living? Will the child repeat the mistakes of her predecessors or will she break the cycle of bad mothers and raise her own child with the love only a mother can give? (NOTE: Due to content and language, these plays are recommended for adult audiences only.)
Rodey Theatre, Center For The Arts
Saturday, April 25, 4:30pm, Sunday, April 26, 6:00pm,
Friday, May 1, 8:00pm, Saturday, May 2, 1:00pm
Tickets: $15 General, $10 Faculty & Seniors, $8 Staff & Students,
At UNM Ticket Offices, call 925-5858, or online at http://www.unmtickets.com
More information call 277-4332
Deception Pass: An American Dream
By Kamarie Chapman
Directed by Kerry Whigham
Prudence Isaac comes from an island. For her, the island is filled with sad memories and loss. To return for a funeral is the last thing she wants, but upon her arrival the coyotes of the past begin to surface and force her to find acceptance with who she is and where she comes from. (NOTE: Due to content and language, these plays are recommended for adult audiences only.)
Rodey Theatre, Center For The Arts
Saturday, April 25, 8:00pm, Sunday, April 26, 2:00pm,
Saturday, May 2, 4:30pm, Sunday, May 3, 6:00pm
Tickets: $15 General, $10 Faculty & Seniors, $8 Staff & Students,
At UNM Ticket Offices, call 925-5858, or online at http://www.unmtickets.com
More information call 277-4332
Directed Readings: Experimental Theatre
With the Tears of Men Who Know
By Beth Iha
Directed by Michael Goldfried
This play addresses the truly heroic march of three men, all affected by war in different ways, towards transformation of the inner pain of that warring into an authentic gain of living (something rarely given voice) despite fears, denials, stereotypes, and common war talk. Dave Wolfowitz, the medal bearing Marine hero, who returned home intact only to lose his legs in a car accident. He clings to his hero days while trying to resist his disabilities. Victor Smith, the superhero worshipper who lost his oldest brother in the same war. Now he needs answers only Dave and Mike can give. Mike Martinez, crass, relentless, and angry. He’s the non-medaled, average Marine. He resists his disability too–post-traumatic stress disorder. But when the dull routine of life and the arrival of Victor force the finer sensations and emotions of warring to the surface, that inner war wreaks havoc in the lives of all three men, havoc that is addressed by each in his own unique way. (NOTE: Due to content and language, these plays are recommended for adult audiences only.)
Experimental Theatre, Center For The Arts
Saturday, April 25, 1:00pm and Sunday, April 26, 11:00am
Tickets: $5 General
At UNM Ticket Offices, call 925-5858, or online at http://www.unmtickets.com
More information call 277-4332
Profiles
By Aaron Frale
Directed by Kerry Whigham
Profiles is a comedy that explores the use of identity in the world of online dating. The nerdy couple is convinced by the cool couple to write a online dating profile that isn't themselves. Hilarity ensues as the characters seek to find true love. (NOTE: Due to content and language, these plays are recommended for adult audiences only.)
Experimental Theatre, Center For The Arts
Saturday, April 25, 4:30pm and Sunday, April 26, 6:00pm
Tickets: $5 General
At UNM Ticket Offices, call 925-5858, or online at http://www.unmtickets.com
More information call 277-4332
The Promised Land
By Erin Phillips
Directed by Lauren Keating
It is April 14th, 1935. Black Sunday. The worst recorded day of storms during all of the Dust Bowl. The Hammond Family’s farm has been stripped of life, the children are sick and the last vestage of hope, the family cow Bessie, has just died. In the face of their greatest fear, this family, led by their father Harmon, fight to stay alive and save their home, themselves, and their sanity. But Harmon’s desperation takes shape in a twisted struggle, one that seeks to bring back the life that once filled Bessie the Cow. Determined to save his family, Harmon embarks on a spiritual quest to bring back a most basic symbol of survival: milk. This is a story of a family clinging to the last strings of life. This is a story of desperation, of love, and of faith. (NOTE: Due to content and language, these plays are recommended for adult audiences only.)
Experimental Theatre, Center For The Arts
Saturday, April 25, 8:00pm and Sunday, April 26, 2:00pm
Tickets: $5 General
At UNM Ticket Offices, call 925-5858, or online at http://www.unmtickets.com
More information call 277-4332
Late Night Cabaret of 10 Minute Plays
Featuring the Blackout Theatre Company
Six ten-minute plays, separated by physical interludes, in cabaret style, acted and directed by members of Blackout Theatre Company. The plays include Looking for Nihil by Theodore Jackson, The Burglar by Shannon Flynn, Eti by Barney Lopez, The Great Cactus Battle by Simon Blair, Child's Play by James Blessing and Good-bye by Denea Lopez.
Experimental Theatre, Center For The Arts
Saturday, April 25, 10:30pm and Saturday, May 2, 10:30pm
Experimental Theatre, Center For The Arts
Tickets:$10 General, $8 Faculty & Seniors, $7 Staff & Students
At UNM Ticket Offices, call 925-5858, or online at http://www.unmtickets.com
More information call 277-4332
On Screen
Wells Fargo Auditorium, National Hispanic Cultural
Center
1701 4th Street SW
Thursday, April 30, 7pm
Admission free
More information call 277-4332
Gallery:
Take a look at the pictures in our gallery