After receiving over 100 submissions from playwrights across the country, Middlebury Acting Company has selected three vibrant new plays that address the question: What does the American Dream mean today? The festival aims to amplify three exciting new voices in theater, support the chosen playwrights as they continue to develop their plays, and invite the community to engage with the new play development process through staged readings, moderated talkbacks with the playwrights, and playwriting workshops. This is the first festival of its kind in the area – we hope you'll join us for what is sure to be an exciting weekend!
All events will take place under an outdoor tent at the beautiful Swift House Inn in Middlebury.
You can find tickets and more information about the festival at https://townhalltheater.org/event/mnff-the-sunset-series-2/
FULL SCHEDULE:
*Thursday, August 18th @ 6pm - Revision: Taking the Next Steps (writing workshop, led by Karina Jutzi)
*Friday, August 19th @ 4pm - The Playwright's Workout (writing workshop, led by Eugenie Carabatsos
*Friday, August 19th @ 7pm - Griswold by Angela J. Davis (staged reading, directed by Gaen Murphree)
*Saturday, August 20th @ 10am - Playwriting & Social Justice (writing workshop, led by Gina Stevensen, followed by a brief Q&A with the three festival playwrights)
*Saturday, August 20th @ 2pm - Natchetochez by Seth McNeill (staged reading, directed by Melissa Lourie)
*Saturday, August 20th @ 7pm - American Deal by Donna Hoke (staged reading, directed by Gina Stevensen)
ABOUT THE PLAYS:
Griswold
by Angela J. Davis
Inspired by the forgotten history behind the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established a right to sexual privacy, and fusing magic realism, docudrama, and comedic truth, "Griswold" mines the spirit and drive of the overlooked 65-year-old woman whose actions set the Griswold case in motion, the extraordinary events leading to establishment of the right of sexual privacy, and the essential link between sexual privacy and personal dignity.
Natchetochez
by Seth McNeill
Preparing to share Easter dinner, the Turpin family discusses the day's mass shooting in nearby Natchetochez, a small town in the Deep South. After it becomes clear that one of their own might be caught up in the momentous events in town, the family is confronted with questions of how well they know themselves and each other, what it means to be "one of us" and how to handle history that they'd prefer to be myth.
American Deal
by Donna Hoke
Clive Jenkins. A husband. A father. A writer with an MFA. An addict. A man who, sixteen years ago, gunned down a stranger, and still can't say why. Clive's most successful attempts to examine his life come when he puts pen to paper, pouring out his demons in stories. Now, he's got a chance at parole, and a six-figure book deal that might help him get it—if he can prove he's a changed man. This play asks: what do we owe those we purport to rehabilitate and what do we owe their victims?
ABOUT THE WRITING WORKSHOPS:
Revision: Taking the Next Steps
Led by Karina Jutzi
You have a first draft, now what? Many writers are daunted by the revision process, but good re-writing is the key to good writing. In this workshop we will look at a few different scripts and how they have changed through the editing process, as well as get tips and tricks for tackling your own work.
The Playwright's Workout
Led by Eugenie Carabatsos
A generative playwriting workshop containing a series of short writing exercises designed to aid all stages of the writing process. Whether you have a draft of a play or a kernel of an idea, this workshop aims to free playwrights from the confines of what or how you "should" write, as each exercise focuses on a different element of writing including character building, dialogue, writing within constraints, and world building. Think of a HIIT class but for playwriting: you'll leave feeling challenged, but strong, and connected to your piece in a new way.
Playwriting & Social Justice
Led by Gina Stevensen
What does it mean to write a socially conscious play? How do you begin? What can help you along the way? Through a combination of group discussion and writing exercises, we'll explore practical tools for creating meaningful new work at the intersection of theater and social change. Come with an idea in mind or a completely blank page. All experience levels welcome!
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