This spring playwriting festival, now in its 22nd season, presents one performance each of six full-length plays written by graduating theatre students. Directors
include faculty members and alumni who are active in local theatre. The plays are presented as staged readings, without costumes or sets, bringing the writers’
raw stories, characters and language to the audience without filter. Each performance will be followed by an audience discussion session with the playwright,
director and actors. Previous New Visions, New Voices playwrights are now producing and writing TV shows, leading theatre companies in Dallas, Chicago,
New York and elsewhere, acting on stage and screen, and producing and writing independent films. The festival is produced by SMU Associate Professor
and Head of Theatre Studies Gretchen Smith.
The plays are as follows:
Wed., March 30 at 8 p.m.: Tough Love - by Holly Settoon, directed by Jacob Nice ’15:
The play looks at the lives of three young people who meet in a teen detention center
somewhere in the American heartland, all of whom are struggling to survive the boredom,
emptiness and anarchy of their time in the system. Adult language.
Thurs., March 31 at 8 p.m.: Filth - by Isaac Young, directed by Alia Tavakolian ’12:
In a tiny Virginia town, a young woman struggles to keep the family farm afloat. But
between the memories that haunt her and the introverted ways that make her unable to
keep a job in town, she’s going to lose everything. That is, until a man needs her farm for his
low-budget porn films – and offers to make her a star. Based on an unbelievable true story,
the play is a tale of survival in the face of tragedy. Adult language and situations; not
suitable for children and pre-teens.
Fri., April 1 at 8 p.m.: Finale- by Dylan Guerra, directed by Samantha Rios ’13:
If they can survive the Dolphin Apocalypse, how bad can graduation be? When the seam
of the universe opens, four best friends and one uninvited guest find themselves sucked into
an alternate world on the eve of their college graduation. Secret loves are revealed, lies are
uncovered, milkshakes are shaken and tickets to the Sunday Church Carnival are sold. Will
they make it home in time to graduate, or will they become insignificant casualties in the
bloody uprising by man’s favorite mammal? Adult language and substances.
Sat., April 2 at 2 p.m.: Siren’s Song- by Sasha Davis, directed by Kristen Kelso ’14:
Eager to escape the ghettos of Detroit, Wren studies to get into any college far away. When
tragedy destroys her plans for a future with Thomas, she disappears into her grief for a decade,
until awkward, funny Arthur drops into her life. The play considers the questions of lost love,
new love, and self-love: which one is the hardest to accept?
Sat., April 2 at 8 p.m.: Knew You - by Laura Dupper, directed by Jenna Hannum ’15:
What is love? What makes it spark between one couple, and fade between another? In
Knew You, James and Ellie ask the questions people have been asking for centuries. They
fall in love as they interview friends and dissect classic romances for a school project. But
as they fall out of love, will they find the answers they need or will love stay as elusive and
enigmatic as ever?
Sun., April 3 at 2 p.m.: Tiber- by Jeremy Arata, directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Sara Romersberger:
At a minor way-station in space, seven strangers find themselves gathered on the 25th anniversary
of the Ceasefire. Old wounds and new griefs arise as former enemies and feuding family
members confront one another. When the life and communication systems fail, everyone’s
lives are threatened. The group will have to pull together – but can they forgive to survive?
When: March 30-April 3; 8 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sat. & Sun.
Where: Greer Garson Theatre in the Owen Arts Center, 6101 Bishop Blvd. on SMU campus, Dallas (75205)
Cost: FREE
Info: Call 214-768-2787.
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