In the Mandell Weiss FORUM Theatre:

Oyster

by Ronald McCants (MFA 10)
Directed by Larissa Lury

OPENS: Friday, 4/16 at 8 PM Monday, 4/19 at 8 PM Tuesday, 4/20 at 8 PM Friday, 4/23 at 8 PM Saturday, 4/24 at 8 PM

A Black-American man reconnects with the biological son he abandoned many years ago. As the two get to know each other, secrets from the past emerge that threaten to change everything. Can we ever know the truth of our own history? How can ghosts from our past destroy us? And how do we free ourselves from the demons that haunt us? An exploration of the Black-American experience through the prism of one father and son relationship.

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Everything Nice

by Stephanie Timm (MFA 10)
Directed by Jeffrey Wienckowski

OPENS: Wednesday 4/14 at 8 PM Saturday, 4/17 at 2 PM Saturday, 4/17 at 8 PM Wednesday, 4/21 at 8 PM Thursday, 4/22 at 8 PM

A woman returns to her 20 year high school reunion where she confronts old ghosts she's been running from for years. Are the people you know best really who they seem? Can you really trust what you remember? A psychological thriller that explores the dark side of adolescence and how getting away with something can be worse that getting caught.

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In the Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre:

Phantom Band

by Krista Knight (MFA 11)
Directed by Tom Dugdale

OPENS: Thursday, 4/15 at 8 PM Friday, 4/16 at 8 PM Saturday, 4/17 at 2 PM Friday, 4/23 at 8 PM Saturday, 4/24 at 8 PM

A group of teenage misfits in Santa Cruz struggle with hormones, unrequited crushes, crappy parents, college essays, and the meaning of life. One of their own decides to start a marching band and the teens come together to make strange and volatile music. When a mysterious exchange student joins the band, all hell breaks loose. A dark, comedic, and music-filled exploration of what it means to make art out of the chaos of your life and what it feels like to come of age in the first decade of a new century.

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In the Arthur Wagner Theatre:

* The 2 one-acts below will be presented together *

In A Word

by Lauren Yee (MFA 12)
Directed by Adam Arian 

OPENS: Friday 4/16 at 8 PM Saturday, 4/17 at 10:30 AM Saturday, 4/17 at 2 PM Friday, 4/23 at 8 PM Saturday, 4/24 at 2 PM

Two years have passed since Fiona's eight-year-old son mysteriously vanished. As Fiona goes back over the events she remembers leading up to that fateful day, logic buckles and language breaks. Will she uncover the truth and what happens if she does? A lyrical, absurdist journey on how to get over, get around, get through what haunts you.

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Muzungu

by David Myers (MFA 12)
Directed by Anthony Luciano

OPENS: Friday 4/16 at 8 PM Saturday, 4/17 at 10:30 AM Saturday, 4/17 at 2 PM Friday, 4/23 at 8 PM Saturday, 4/24 at 2 PM

A well-intentioned American travels to contemporary Rwanda to distribute aid. But he has brought his considerable baggage with him, and a suitcase in Rwanda can hold things both horrifying and beautiful. Muzungu explores the unseen motives in doing good, and the gifts one receives when lending a helping hand.

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- Staged Reading

by the winner of the fourth annual Dr. Floyd Gaffney
Playwriting Competition on the African-American Experience

Saturday, 4/24 at 10:30 AM

This is a FREE event. To order
complimentary seats, CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

 

This festival is made possible by a generous donation from Ken & Ginger Baldwin