#TheatreBleek

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DOWNTOWN URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL Celebrates Its Sweet 16

by BWW News Desk Feb. 16, 2018  

This year marks the Season Sweet 16 for the powerful Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF).

The five-week art & culture showcase supplying audiences with live stage works, independent film, cutting-edge music and envelope-pushing poetry, will take up residence in some of lower Manhattan's most thrilling and celebrated spaces.

Running from April 7 through May 12, artists with their finger on the pulse of what the city is thinking will present their works at Theatre 80 St. Marks, Tribeca Film Center, New York Live Arts, Joe's Public at The Public Theater, and Nuyorican Poets Café.

The original theater series (Downtown Urban Theater Festival) was founded in 2001 for the purpose to build a repertoire of new American theater that echoes the true spirit of urban life and speaks to a new generation whose lives defy categorizing along conventional lines. That purpose has since been realized in more than 200 plays created and refined for the stage by more than 170 writers from America's burgeoning multicultural landscape. The addition of film and culture has made DUAF a marriage of the original Fringe Festival and Cannes.

DUAF is produced by Creative Ammo Inc. (CA), a nonprofit community development organization for artists focused on building stronger communities founded in 1998. CA has created solid programs to strengthen communities, foster creativity and celebrate life through art. Artists are an important leverage point in its work. Its mission is to cultivate vibrant communities by connecting artists with the skills and services they need to develop their talent into a marketable skill to pursue a career in the arts. Its programs are inclusive, open and embrace diverse ideas and art forms, and target communities of color and other underrepresented multicultural, women and LGBTQ populations.

This year, the opening night celebration will feature The Voice finalist and teenage sensation, Wé McDonald, who will perform live at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater.

DUAF's film series features the finest works from a search that yielded more than 1,400 submissions for around the world.

And finally, this year's poetry season, called WORDS MATTER, will be a community poetry slam and forum on current social issues. Local poets and audience members can recite their best poems and compete for a cash prize. 2016 Nuyorican Grand Slam Champion Jaime Lee Lewis is the host and special guests have included Lifetime Achievement American Book Award winner, Miguel Algarin.

PERFORMANCE SCEHDULE FOR LIVE THEATER, FILM, POETRY, AND MUSIC

Joe's Pub @ THE PUBLIC 425 LAFAYETTE ST, NEW YORK CITY SATURDAY, APRIL 7 7:00 PM (TICKETS: $30)

Wé McDonald - NBC TV's "The Voice" finalist, Wé McDonald, brings her jazz & pop artistry to this much-anticipated, one-night-only performance. Opening Season 11 of The Voice with a four-chair turn, Wé went on to represent Alicia Keys in the finals and finished third for the season.

NEW YORK LIVE ARTS 219 W 19TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY TICKETS: $20

FRIDAY, APRIL 13 @ 7:00 PM

THE VAST MYSTERY OF WHO YOU ARE BY Kim Yaged An irreverent, hard-hitting exploration of love via sex parties and philosophical sparring about the nature of relationships.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 @ 7:00 PM

GAY.PORN.MAFIA BY Joe Gulla Bronx, LA, SoHo to Ibiza! Porn Stars, Gay Priests, Mafia Dons and Abstract Expressionists! Smart! Fun! Funny! Fearless! "Gay.Porn.Mafia" has it all! Grab your ticket! Leave the gun! Take the cannoli! You'll feel like "family" and laugh out loud (emphasis on "out"!) It's the same-sex, Italian-style, x-rated offer you can't refuse!

THEATRE 80 ST. MARKS 80 ST MARKS PLACE, NEW YORK CITY TICKETS: $20

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 @ 8:00 PM

SUBLET BY Alisa Zhulina Christy, an overworked hospital resident, new to New York City, sublets a room from an artist working on a mysterious sculpture. Things start to get scary, or is it just Christy's imagination? What's really going on in this express journey to NYC roommate hell fueled by outsized artistic ambition.

AMERICAN TRANQUILITY BY Daniel Damiano A southern retiree, an Iranian subway station poet and percussionist, a talk-radio show host and a Brooklyn existentialist reflect on the human divide in 21st century America.

THURSDAY APRIL 19 @ 8:00 PM

STRINGS BY Charles Curtis A detective turned modern day vigilante, a lawyer with an ulterior motive, and the strings that bind them both. They each find that neither is truly innocent, and that no matter how fast we run our past catches up with us eventually.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 @ 8:00 PM

THE STRONG MAN BY J.E. Robinson Decades ago, at the head of his gang, Pearl Crabtree was strong enough to kill any man. Is he now strong enough to kill one of his own?

CORPORATESTHENICS BY Baindu Dafina Kalokoh From unsuccessfully climbing the corporate ladder to fearlessly summiting Mount Everest, Black Television Network's favorite physical trainer premieres the newest edition to her record selling fitness program. Her unique strength and conditioning techniques are essential to breaking glass ceilings in every profession.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 @ 8:00 PM

HELP ME GET OVER YOU BY Rollin Jewett John is in love with Phyllis. Unfortunately, he only realizes it after he breaks up with her. Now she's moved on and John can't seem to get her out of his mind. What's a lovestruck fool to do? Ask her to help him get over her, of course. The question is: What's in it for her?

A CIVILIZED WORLD BY ANGHUS HOUVOURAS An opioid addict is sentenced to death in the near future where being an unproductive member of society is a capital offense. The play centers on the condemned, Eleanor Reed, and her final conversation with Andrew Goodman, a life long government shill tasked with explaining the value of her sacrifice.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 @ 8:00 PM

BLOOD ORANGE BY MARCUS SCOTT Blood Orange explores the fetishization of black male bodies, hook-up culture, the nature of interracial gay relationships and sexual encounters, power play and upward mobility.

MIRRORS BY Azure D. Osborne-Lee Mirrors is the story of two women mourning the death of a loved one while sifting through the secrets of a shared past.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26 @ 8:00 PM

TRASH TALK BY ALANO P. BAEZ Trash Talk is a taut and troubling tale of two dregs of society who rap, scrap, quip and play craps while slowly suffocating under the weight of wasted lives.

SAILING STONES BY JUAN RAMIREZ, JR. At rock bottom, Jaime forces his god-fearing best friend, Charlie, out into the Death Valley desert to finally prove once and for all if a god exists. Who will save them?

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 @ 8:00 PM

THE FAN BY Adam Seidel A famous novelist sits on a park bench reading when she is approached by a fan who wants more than just an autograph.

THE DIPLOMATS BY NELSON DIAZ-MARCANO Two days before election night 2016, close friends Annie and Carlos are having a little reunion on his first visit back in New York City. It can only take one person to change world events, but at this reunion two days before the 2016 Presidential election - it's world events that do the changing.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 @ 8:00 PM

ATACAMA BY AUGUSTO FEDERICO AMADOR Thirty years after the dirty wars waged by the General Pinochet regime on the Chilean people. Two strangers; a mother and father, search the Atacama Desert for their buried loved ones and discover there are darker truths awaiting them underneath the hard sands of the Atacama.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22 @ 7:00PM

NUYORICAN POETS CAFÉ 236 E 3RD ST, NEW YORK CITY TICKETS: $12

WORDS MATTER POETRY SLAM Repair! Reform! Transform! Calling all poets with poetic words about today's social issues and social conscious people. Hosted by Nuyorican Poetry Slam winner Jaime Lee Lewis with special guest poets include Reg E. Gaines, Tony nominated writer/poet, and Miguel Algarin, the founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Sign up for poetry slam starting at 6:30pm.

TRIBECA FILM CENTER 375 GREENWICH ST, NEW YORK CITY TICKETS; $15

TUESDAY, MAY 8 @ 7:00 PM

FREMONT (OREGON/7 MIN.) Directed by Ryo Jepson Inspired by the numerous news headlines in late 2016 and early 2017, Fremont examines the repercussions of an exhausted police officer's split-second decision while pursuing a suspect. Following the suspect's capture the nature of the crime and the suspect's role in it reveals both the profound and unexpected effect it has on everyone involved in the case.

THE REHEARSAL (FRANCE/7 MIN.) Directed by Léa Frédeval Stephane dreams to become a comedian. Carole dreams of a pay raise.

THE SUITCASE (CANADA/12 MIN.) Directed by Philip Leung Discover how a little girl uses her imagination to conquer the darkness during a turbulent journey inside a suitcase.

VAGABONDS (USA/NIGER/16 MIN.) Directed by Magaajyia Silberfeld Starring Magaajyia Silberfeld, Robert Richard, Daniel Marley, Danny Glover A homeless African student in LA meets a washed-up movie star whose life is surprisingly similar to hers.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 @ 7:00 PM

ELENA (COSTA RICA/22 MIN.) Directed by Ayerim Villanueva Some people irreversibly change your present.

ALMOST SAW THE SUNSHINE (UNITED KINGDOM/30 MIN.) Directed by Leon Lopez Rachel is a young aspiring transgender woman. After a series of coincidental encounters with a handsome man, she impulsively takes a chance on a one-night stand that will change her life forever.

AYSHA (COSTA RICA/20 MIN.) Directed by Fon Cortizo Aysha is a young energetic voice emerging from the Middle East. Poetry and creativity are her weapons with which to change an expectant post-Arab-Spring society.

THURSDAY, MAY 10 @ 7:00 PM

SOÑADORA (CALIFORNIA/10MIN.) Directed by Maria Altamirano A hardworking high school senior faces circumstances beyond her control that may hinder her path to college.

SONGS OF WILD ANIMALS (MEXICO/12 MIN.) Directed by Mara Weber Songs of Wild Animals is the story of a young girl who lost her brother, best friend and mentor. With a lot of fantasy she relives him in another dimension as the eagle he always dreamed to be.

THE VIRGIN AND THE PROSTITUTE (FLORIDA/16 MIN.) Directed by Maria Jose Noriega Pedroza A nun who works at a hospital and a prostitute who's visiting her diseased child get trapped together in an elevator. While their prejudices drive them apart, at first, their similarities will ultimately bring them together.

THE SECOND PROVINCE (NEW YORK/19 MIN.) Directed by Zorinah Juan Two estranged Filipino-American siblings are forced to reunite when their offbeat mother elects death with dignity before the end of the week.

AND STILL WE LOVE (NEW YORK/8 MIN.) Directed by Erika Santosuosso Amidst a tumultuous political climate, a couple fights to find the beauty in the face of an indefinite separation.

FRIDAY, MAY 11 @ 7:00 PM

SPIN (FRANCE/15 MIN.) Directed by Leticia Belliccini One evening in Autumn, Mallard and his wife are assaulted at the corner of a street. There ensued an infernal race where he will be successively the witness, the author and the victim of what would prove to be the key of its existence.

ASYLUM PARK (INDIA/20 MIN.) Directed by Shanu Sharma A chance meeting in a park in Berlin proves to be fortuitous for two strangers, faced with uncertainty of their immigrant status and scraping circumstances.

9.58 (FRANCE/15 MIN.) Directed by Louis Aubert Djal is sixteen years old. Like his idol Usain Bolt, he dreams of running.

THREE TIME WALTZ (FRANCE/16 MIN.) Directed by Caroline Pascal When a man and a woman meet on a tune of the 50s. A musical interlude in three stages, to see this man and this woman fall in love, separate and finally find each other back.

MECHANISM OR: HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF (GERMANY/11 MIN.) Directed by Michael Chlebusch This is a story about solidarity and the fine line between self-sacrifice and individual responsibility.

SATURDAY, MAY 12 @ 7:00 PM

BOB, JR. (CALIFORNIA/23 MIN.) Directed by Dilek Ince After losing his wife and developing an unhealthy attachment to her goldfish, Bob makes an unexpected connection that changes his life.

BROTHERS (CALIFORNIA/15 MIN.) Directed by Troy Elliott When war hits the California coast, a 19-year-old takes desperate action to get his little brother to safety in the final hours before his deployment.

IN PRIVATE (NEW YORK/14 MIN.) Directed by Clem McIntosh Two couples get together for Christmas dinner, and are put at odds when a texting error reveals more than intended

THE BRACKET THEORY (NEW YORK/20 MIN.) Directed by Katia Koziara Lucy longs for love: a perfect, equal partnership that she's never had. But she's not a hopeless romantic - she's rational, logical, and determined to find her objectively best match. So she has crafted a foolproof theory: The Bracket Theory.

#DUAF #Downtown Urban Arts Festival #Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #Write Marcus #WriteMarcus #Theatre Bleek #TheatreBleek #Blood Orange #Theater 80 St Marks

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Curating Poetic License: Reclamation this month at the Wild Project with Poetic Theater Productions.

#Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #WriteMarcus #Write Marcus #Theatre Bleek #TheatreBleek #playwrights #playwright #black playwrights #the wild project #poetic theatre #musical theatre #musical theater factory

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TICKETS

AT-DOOR: $18 ADVANCED SALE: $15 Four programs of 6-8 shows..... 10-20 minutes each.... Ranging from comedies to dramas to alternative...... The Act One: One Act Festival 2018 is a self-producing competition-style one-act play festival. The audience will vote for each show they see, and thetop-scorers will have a place in the Finals: February 3rd @ 7pmPLEASE NOTE: ~Information and order of shows is subject to change. ~Please be forewarned: Some subject matter may be offensive or triggering.

Program 1 Jan 11 @ 7pm Jan 14 @ 5:30pm Jan 19 @ 7pm Jan 21 @ 8pm Jan 27 @ 7pm Jan 30 @ 7pm

Let's Hear It For Queens by Mark Lord (20 minutes) Musical   Book, Lyrics, Direction by: Mark Lord   Music and Musical Direction by: Joe Ferrante   Joseph Riley - Antiquous   Jim Haines - Poet   Dan Segredo - Linguist #1   Kent Williams - Linguist #2   Caroline Purr - Storyteller #1   Regina Fischedick - Storyteller #2   Erin Clancy Balsamo - Storyteller #3A condensed version of an original full-length musical in tribute to the borough of Queens. Featuring original songs, poetry and rap.Saint Fancy by Stephen Bracco  (12 minutes) Dramatic Comedy   Directed by: Stephen Bracco   Spencer Wolfe - Dr. Joey   Kitty Ostapowicz - Fancy It's trust-fund alcoholic Fancy's birthday; today, like every year, her birthday wish comes true. Last year, she turned her therapist into a liver; this year, he's fighting for his humanity, and hers.   Help Me Get Over You by Rollin Jewett (10 minutes) Comedy   Directed by: Joseph Sexton   Chris Ostrowski - John   Marcy Agreen * - Phyllis A man who broke up with a lady enlists her to help him get over her.   Personnel Best by Pete Holmberg (20 minutes) Drama   Produced by: Roust Theatre Company   Directed by: Jenny Tibbels   Stage Manager: Stephanie Hollander   Charlie Gorrilla - Luddy   Khris Lewin * - Kyle   Jonny Maldonado - David In the wake of Harvey Weinstein and the birth of the #metoo movement, three male partners in a successful PR firm convene behind closed doors to discuss a pivotal hiring decision. FACEBOOK (for Roust Theatre Co.) The King-Anning by Veronica Cooper (10 minutes) Comedy   Directed by: Emily Lyon   Jennifer Teska * - Mary Anning   Mateo Moreno - The King of Saxony   Aaron Kheifets - Carl Gustav Carus A comedic account loosely based on the very real meeting of world renowned English paleontologist Mary Anning and the King of Saxony, a natural history enthusiast. Set in 1844. Program 2 Jan 13 @ 7pm Jan 17 @ 7pm Jan 21 @ 3pm Jan 25 @ 7pm Jan 28 @ 5:30pm Feb 1 @ 7pm A Girl Smiles in the Arctic by Cambria Denim (18 minutes) Dramatic Comedy   Directed by: Madelyn Shaffer   Nayem Cardenas-Lopez - Nirliq   Andrew Griffin - Justin Bieber   Braiden Wells - Alan International pop sensation Justin Bieber and Siberian Inuit hunter Nirliq meet in their conjoined dreams every night. What happens when a depressive, childlike Englishman appears in their dreamscape? Hunt by Wil Hart (19 minutes) Comedy Directed by: Sophia Grasso Sarah DiRenno - McKenzie Katie Lugo - Miranda Dymon Davis - Megan In search of closure after her father's death, Mckenzie returns to the hunting shack where she spent time with him as a kid. Her two best friends tag along, not realizing what they're in for. Don by Kyle Smith (9 minutes) Comedy Directed by: Kyle Smith Mike Toperzer - Keith   Armand Lane - Don Don reflects on the choices he made to get where he is, as Keith struggles to get Don out of the rain. Clean-Shaven by Justin Schwartz (15 minutes) Comedy Directed by: Justin Schwartz Ruthy Froch - Lucy Jackson Knight Pierce - James All is well as long as James heeds to Lucy's one request: to shave himself before they have sex. Until the one time he forgets to do so. A Match Remade In Heaven by Amanda Terman (19 minutes) Drama Directed by: Jak Prince Harris King - Anna Crystal Ramirez - God Eric Parness - Brian A husband and wife reunite in heaven, but their relationship is complicated by unexpected news. Maryanne by David Lewison (10 minutes) Comedy Directed by: Barbara McGlamery Mimi Fischer - Maryanne Alexander Rybitski - Voice In the near future, a lonely old woman has a household computer to watch over her every need. But what will she do when her computer falls in love…with her? The Wonderful World of Science by Steve Gold (15 minutes) (NOT PERFORMING JAN 13 @ 7PM) Drama Directed by: Laurence C. Schwartz Jamie Lee Kearns - Dr. Lindstrom Emily Cordes - The Woman A drama about a molecular biologist researching HIV who receives a visit from a mysterious woman during the early days of the epidemic. Program 3 Jan 14 @ 3pm Jan 18 @ 7pm Jan 21 @ 5:30pm Jan 26 @ 7pm Jan 28 @ 8pm Feb 2 @ 7pm Supreme Solution by Tom Block (11 minutes) Directed by: Tom Block Jacob Horn - Timothy Patrick Leonard - Ernest Lisa Yapp - June At the end of her life, June murders the Supreme Court Head Justice. But power is more deeply entrenched than she believes, and her plan only succeeds in making her a murderer. Two Super-Heroes Walk Into a Bar by Bryan Leys (15 minutes) Dramatic Comedy Directed by: Brian Leys Ian Potter - Mike Dombrowski/ Major Hero Kenneth King - Sal Patrillo/ Kid Vicious A horrific crime has taken place in Cincinnati. Two working class superheroes hold a secret meeting to plot vengeance against the villain responsible. Justice and beer will be served.

Double Rainbow by Marcus Scott (20 minutes) Comedy Directed by: Justin Schwartz Lindsay Fabes - Lea Anthony Franqui - Stuart Mark Andrew Garner * - Michael Lea and Michael, two far-left democratic LGBT rights activists, are under arrest and facing criminal charges. The charge: Assault and Battery.

The Trapped Language of Love by Ronan Colfer (18 minutes)Comedy Produced by: Ronan Colfer and Alexandra Bigourdan

Directed by: Rebeca Castilho

Ronan Colfer - HE

Alexandra Bigourdan - SHE

A man and a woman fall madly in love with each other at first sight, but are then trapped by the emptiness of their everyday language.

Journey to Wellness by Larry Rinkel (16 minutes)

Drama

Directed by: Leslie Anne Weishaar

Gail Merzer Behrens * - "The Woman" (Sophia Czernowski)

Jordan Ausländer * - "The Man" (Russell Garbowski)

An elderly man and woman, both recovering from serious injuries, find an unexpected connection when the man realizes he knew the woman’s recently deceased husband.

The Hawthorne Book by Lora Danley (10 minutes)

Drama

  Directed by: Lora Danley

  Olan Montgomery - Stan

  Richard Alwyn - Joe

Joe, a struggling writer and deeply in debt, once again turns to his older brother Stan for help by asking him to part with his most treasured possession. This time, however, Stan has had enough.

  * Member of Actors Equity Association

For more information about the plays, voting rules, prizes and more. You can

click here

or click on the buy ticket link (located below the image).

The Secret Theatre 44-02 23rd St. Long Island City, NY 11101 E, M, G or 7 train to Courthouse SQ/23rd St. ONLY ONE SUBWAY STOP FROM MANHATTAN

For tickets, click HERE.

#Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #Write Marcus #WriteMarcus #Theatre Bleek #TheatreBleek #Playwright #Black Playwrights #Double Rainbow #Secret Theater #Long Island City

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ANNOUNCING OUR FIRST PLAYWRIGHT: Marcus Scott's work has appeared in; Soule, ELLE Magazine (US), Essence, Uptown, Trace, Giant, Hello Beautiful, NewsOne, The Urban Daily,Madame Noire, Styleblazer, Clutch, Out, The Underwear Expert, Bleu, Krave, and Artvoice among others. He was the 2016-17 Musical Theatre Fellow at Playwrights Horizons where he assisted Kirsten Childs on the New York Premiere of Bella: An American Tall Tale. A graduate of Buffalo State, with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications (Print Journalism) and a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts (Acting), he is also an alum of the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Come hear Marcus' work at Playwrights' Playground on Monday, November 20, 2017!! Actors should arrive at 6:30PM to be considered for casting!

#Classical Theatre of Harlem #CTH #Playwrights Playground #Black Playwrights #Theatre #Theater #Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #Write Marcus #WriteMarcus #TheatreBleek #Theatre Bleek

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Drunk 24- Giving Thanks

“Because many of my good friends reminded me of how terrible I am at celebrating or promoting my own work (Thanks Sukari! Thanks Troy! Thanks Deidre! Thanks Justin!), I am taking it upon myself to do just that. So, on Saturday, come see a new show of mine! Wanna know how new it is? It’s so new it hasn’t been written yet! Yep, it’s that new. But the company isn’t. The show will be produced and directed by the folks at the Exquisite Corpse Company for one night only. One Night Only (*cue “Dreamgirls”*). Anyway, come watch my new show or come and watch me shit my pants. Doors to the show will open at 8PM. Get tickets online to guarantee a seat. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $10. SEE? INVITING MY FRIENDS!” - MARCUS SCOTT (WRITEMARCUS / THEATREBLEEK)

https://www.facebook.com/events/133962190525368/

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner and THANKFULLY so is DRUNK 24! Come give thanks with an incredible evening of laughter, theater, dance, and of corse booze. Drunk 24 will take 12 playwrights in pairs and challenge them to create a play inspired by the theme chosen the night before! The actors and directors will be left to bring the show to life in less that 7 hours! And if that wasn't crazy enough... we add the "shot challenge" .... What-the-frick-is-that!?! Come and find out! And help our actors meet their challenge...

#Exquisite Corpse Company #Theatre #Theater #black playwrights #MarcusScott #Marcus Scott #WriteMarcus #Write Marcus #Theatre Bleek #TheatreBleek

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broadwayblack Check out the latest from #BroadwayBlack contributor @therealmarcusscott! 5 Theatre Dream Teams We'd Like To See Pen A Harlem Renaissance Musical. #LinkInBio Only on BroadwayBlack.com!

#Marcus Scott #Theatre Bleek #theatre blogging #Broadway Black #marcusscott #TheatreBleek

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Some of the talented people who are joining me on this journey. My show, “Afro-Americana: Introducing Marcus Scott” plays at the Tank on Monday, March 26 and these folks are bringing my songs to full-bloodied life and I’m loving it. #MarcusScott #thetanknyc #afroamericana#blackmusicaltheatrewriters

#Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #Write Marcus #WriteMarcus #The Tank #The Tank NYC #Afro-Americana #AfroAmericana #Cherry Bomb #Cherrybomb #Cherry Bomb musical #CherryBomb musical #Theatre Bleek #TheatreBleek

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SCOUTS FOR LIFE

“Scouts For Life,” written in collaboration with Jordan G. Teicher, was presented at Mister Rogers as part of Exquisite Corpse Company’s Drunk 24- Giving Thanks.

#Jordan G Teicher #Marcus Scott #Exquisite Corpse Company Theatre #Theater #black playwrights #MarcusScott #WriteMarcus #Write Marcus #Theatre Bleek #TheatreBleek

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Athena Theatre Announces 2018 Playwrights

by BWW News Desk

Jan. 22, 2018

Developing world premieres of off-beat and irreverent psychological dramas and dark comedies that challenge traditional stereotypes. Athena produces theatre that entertains, informs, enlightens, questions and deepens audience awareness of vital modern issues.

Athena Theatre's new playwright group, Athena Writes, selected eleven playwrights assembled for a one-year exploration of the theme: "Falling Forward," and centered on Athena Theatre's commitment to supporting new work which pushes at the boundaries of live theatre.

Flo Ankah Nora Sørena Casey Kathryn Funkhouser Grant MacDermott Isaac Allen Miller Jeremy O'Brian Martha Pichey Marcus Scott Judah Skoff Leila Teitelman Kate Thomas

Playwrights are asked to write a short, 10 minute play for production at the New Play Festival Spring 2018. FALLING FORWARD: an evening of ten minute plays

Playwrights are also working on a full-length piece on this year's theme.

The playwrights will also be considered for full production by Athena Theatre Company in its next season. The playwright group will be meeting twice a month, beginning in mid-January, for three hour sessions, to discuss the year's theme, share new work, talk playwriting and the business of theatre. The meetings also comprise of discussion about individual playwrights' projects, as well as readings of new work, where playwrights will cast (from the other writers) and hear their work read aloud. Athena Theatre believes that a play cannot be fully understood until the words hit the ear of an audience. This process allows playwrights to deepen their understanding of their own work, as well as glean ideas and approaches from their fellow playwrights.

In addition to closed sessions, some meetings will include dramaturges, directors and other industry professionals, to help deepen the understanding of specific works, as well as discuss industry concerns. Athena Theatre will also actively solicit opportunities for artists to submit their plays, to venues in New York City as well as around the country.

For more information please visit www.athenatheatre.com

#Athena Theatre #Athena Writes #Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #Playwrights #Black Playwrights #Theatre Bleek #TheatreBleek

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ABOUT THE PLAY:

TUMBLEWEED: an American Family drama about a teen, whose off-putting natural hair combined with both her family’s open acceptance of it and lack of maintenance, causes controversy in the household. Tensions stir further with a visit from her no-nonsense grandmother. The play explores coming of age challenges, beauty standards both in and out of the black community, mixed race family dynamics, women's identity, and the visibility of black men in the family structure.

Short Summary

Tumbleweed, written by the brilliant Marcus Scott, explores aspects of black culture and black womanhood that aren't often portrayed on the stage. When reading Tumbleweed one can't help but relate to the characters and their struggles on some level.  With your help we can bring this beautiful family drama from the page to the stage. Your contributions will help us not only pay for the fantastic theater space at Dixon Place, but also compensate our talented cast and crew.

The Impact

In a world where black men and women are made to feel accepted only when they are exceptions to what the world perceives as 'the typical black person'; Tumbleweed explores the impact that those 'exceptions' have on black men and women. At different ages, genders, socioeconomic status' and races, the characters of Tumbleweed bring to light the damage that an off-handed comment or what may seem like a compliment really do (i.e "You're pretty/smart/well spoken for a black girl/boy").

What We Need & What You Get

What We Need: $10,000

$7,000 for Renting space at Dixon Place

$2,400 for paying our 8 actors and 4 crew members

$600 for set and costume designing

What You Get:

$5-$25: A “Thank You” email from our Production Team: Playwright Marcus Scott, Director Justin Schwartz and Producer KC Morse

$50: A “Thank You” email from our Production Team and an Instagram “shout out”

$100: Will be listed as “Donor” in our Program

$150: Will be listed as “Donor” in our Program and an Instagram “shout out”

$250: Will be listed as “Donor” with a special “Thank You” in our Program, and a signed copy of the Program from the cast

$500: 5 free tickets to the performance of your choosing to Tumbleweed, will be listed as “Notable Donor” with a special “Thank You” in our Program, a Golliwog Doll (a theme in our show), and a signed copy of the Program from the cast

$1,000: 5 free tickets to a performance of your choosing, will be listed as “Outstanding Donor” with a special “Thank You” in our Program, a signed copy of the Program from the cast, a Golliwog Doll and, a free coaching session from our Director Justin Schwartz OR 5 free tickets to a performance of your choosing, will be listed as “Outstanding Donor” with a special “Thank You” in our Program, a signed copy of our Program from the cast, a Golliwog Doll, and a personalized written item by our Playwright Marcus Scott

$2,000: Title of Associate Producer in our Program and on all advertising, 10 free tickets to a performance of your choosing, a special “Thank You” in our Program, a signed copy of our Program from the cast, and both a free coaching session from our Director Justin Schwartz and a personalized written item by our Playwright Marcus Scott

$5,000: Title of Executive Producer in our Program and on all advertising, 15 free tickets to a performance of your choosing, a special “Thank You” in our Program, a signed copy of our Program from the cast, and both a free coaching session from our Director Justin Schwartz and a personalized written item by our Playwright Marcus Scott

Other Ways You Can Help

Share this site with family, friends, all of your Facebook friends and Instagram followers! We appriciate any amount of publicity brought to this page!

#Tumbleweed #Dixon Place #Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #black theatre #theatre #theater #Theatre Bleek #TheatreBleek #Black Playwrights #mixed family #blended family #blended #interracial #biracial

[writemarcus]

I'm very proud to announce that next month, the Act One: One Act Festival at The Secret Theatre will include two plays I'm directing. The first is DOUBLE RAINBOW by Marcus Scott and the second is a new play I've written called CLEAN-SHAVEN. DOUBLE RAINBOW: Lea and Michael, two far-left democratic LGBT rights activists, are under arrest and facing criminal charges. The charge: Assault and Battery. Starring Lindsay Fabes, Anthony Franqui, and Mark Andrew Garner* *AEA-Approved Showcase CLEAN-SHAVEN: All is well as long as James heeds to Lucy's one request: to shave himself before they have sex. Until the one time he forgets to do so. Starring Ruthy Froch and Jackson Knight Pierce DOUBLE RAINBOW is part of Program D and is being performed on the following dates & times: Jan 14 @ 3pm, Jan 18 @ 7pm, Jan 21 @ 5:30pm, Jan 26 @ 7pm, Jan 28 @ 8pm, and Feb 2 @ 7pm. CLEAN-SHAVEN is part of Program C and is being performed on the following dates & times: Jan 13 @ 7pm, Jan 17 @ 7pm, Jan 21 @ 3pm, Jan 25 @ 7pm, Jan 28 @ 5:30pm, and Feb 1 @ 7pm. Audience votes will determine which plays are invited back for one last performance on Feb 3 @ 7pm. Tickets are $15 online and $18 at the door. I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance as there are 7 and 9 shows, respectively, in each program. Tickets can be purchased at the following link. https://secrettheatre.showare.com/eventperformances.asp… We look forward to seeing you at the theatre!

#Secret Theater #Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #WriteMarcus #Write Marcus #Theater Bleek #TheatreBleek #Theatre Bleek