2008 New Play Festival
Video: Arlene Hutton talkback on September 13
Arlene Hutton |
MEDIA: Download 2008 NPF media kit. (PDF)
The 2008 New Play Festival is made possible in part by a grant from The Community Foundation of Greenville. Additional funding provided by The Greenville News and The Humanities Council SC.
This year's New Play Festival will take place September 8-13. Sponsored by Community Foundation of Greenville, Inc. and The Greenville News, all festival events are free and open to the public. Readings of the four festival finalists begin nightly at 7 p.m. and are followed by talkback sessions with the actors, directors and playwrights.
The Centre Stage New Play Festival receives hundreds of scripts throughout the year submitted by playwrights from around the country and abroad. Four finalists have been chosen to be presented in readers’ theater format during this year’s festival.
Our 2008 NPF Playwright-in-Residence will be Arlene Hutton, whose play Last Train to Nibroc was nominated for the NY Drama League Award. Her newest work, Letters to Sala, will be read (featuring Shirley Sarlin) Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m.
Talkback sessions for the four festival finalists will take place immediately following the readings, making the festival a rare opportunity for playgoers to participate in the creative process that will culminate in a full production of the play chosen as festival winner.
2008 New Play Festival schedule
- Monday, September 8 - 7 p.m.
The Legacy by Adam Siegel
Martin Rothberg, famed children’s author, is visited by a man who’s arrival sets off a dramatic chain of events and a struggle with the past. Directed by Allen Evans. For mature audiences only.
- Tuesday, September 9 at 7 p.m.
Right Place, Right Time by Lia Romeo
This sexy comedy gives an average Joe his fantasy, but is the fantasy what he wants? Directed by Jennifer Goff. For mature audiences only.
- Wednesday, September 10 at 7 p.m.
Bastard Dynasty by Barry Dantzscher
Benjamin Franklin, his illegitimate son and grandson gather to settle debts and debate the American Revolution. Directed by Peter Saputo.
- Thursday, September 11 at 7 p.m.
One Foot in the Gravy by Howard Kingkade
Fergy, a disinherited socialite, convinces her dimwit boyfriend, Ned, to masquerade as a female caretaker for her elderly husband who Ned has decided needs to die. Directed by Benjamin P. Robinson.
- Friday, September 12 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m.
Letters to Sala by Arlene Hutton
Sixteen-year-old Sala Garncarz volunteered to take her sister’s place in a Nazi labor camp. During the next five years, Sala received over 350 letters, all of which she saved ...and then hid for almost 50 years. A reception with Ms. Hutton will follow the Friday reading.
Directed by Brian Haimbach.
- Saturday, September 13 at 10 a.m.
Special talkback with Arlene Hutton
Dr. Peter Smith, Chair, Theatre Arts, University of the South will lead the audience in a discussion of Letters to Sala with playwright Arlene Hutton.
Festival background: Each year, Centre Stage is proud to present its New Play Festival. Four to five finalists will be selected from submitted plays which meet the criteria outlined below. These selected plays will then be presented in a readers' theatre format which will be open to the public. Audience feedback is encouraged. The play selected as the most outstanding will receive a production at our theatre - most likely to be scheduled for the following season.
