University Theatre, Theatre Squared Partner for Month of New Works

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – This summer, University Theatre and Theatre Squared have partnered to present a Month of New Works in June. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. at Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studio.

Kicking off the month is a staged reading of V is for Violin by Brittany Taylor, a first year master of fine arts student in playwriting. Inspired by the 1994 Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Kevin Carter, V is for Violin explores the nature of personal responsibility in a decaying world. When a photographer captures a still image that will shake the world, he must find a way to keep his life and his home together in the aftershock. The play will be read on Friday, June 7, and will be followed by a brief talk back with the author.

A staged reading of Refuge by Rachel Washington, also a first year master of fine arts student in playwriting, will be held Saturday, June 8. In an attempt to fix their broken relationship, Julia and Derek decide to open it up by creating a triad with Summer, a free-spirited twenty-something. As they experience a series of obstacles, including Julia's brother, Noah, all four characters begin to discover what it really means to love. Refuge contains strong language and adult situations that may not be suitable for all audiences.

The Arkansas New Play Festival! will begin Friday, June 14, and will include several staged readings of shows by various artists. At each reading audience members will have an opportunity to help shape the script. The festival will end with a 24-Hour Play festival on Sunday, June 16. Individual play titles and schedules may be found at the Theatre Squared website.

Caught in the Net by Prince Duren, third year master of fine arts student in playwriting, may be seen June 19 and 20. The latest work by the author of Delta Secret and Keeping My Brother explores love and dating in the age of the Internet by posing questions such as: What happens when your personal life crosses paths with the social media? How do you separate the two? How can you avoid being Caught in the Net?

Flamingo and Decatur by Todd Taylor, graduating master of fine arts candidate in playwriting, may be seen June 22 and 23. This most recent play from the author of Calculation and Grave Digger’s Art follows two men trying to make a living in Sin City. Two Las Vegas gamblers decide to trim their living expenses by illegally squatting in a foreclosed house far away from the bright lights of the strip. Out of the tangle of their schemes, dreams and relationships emerges a portrait of life in a misunderstood city. 

Undergraduate students from the University of Arkansas department of drama will take the stage on June 26 and 27 to close the Month of New Works. They will present never-before-seen Original One-Person Shows written, directed and acted by one of the students of our one-person show class. Developed under the instruction of Michael Landman, associate professor of drama in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, each night will feature different students and scripts.

Long Form Comedy Improv will follow the Original One-Person Shows each night. Performers trained by department of drama instructor Kris Stoker create characters and story lines based on audience suggestions.

Both the Original One-Person Shows and Long Form Comedy Improv may contain language or content that is not suitable for all audiences. Parental discretion is strongly advised.

All performances will be at Nadine Baum Studios at 505 W. Spring Street in downtown Fayetteville. With the exception of the Arkansas New Play Festival, tickets to each performance are $5 for adults, $3 for University of Arkansas students. A Play Lover’s Pass, which grants admittance to ALL of the events listed above, including all nights of the Arkansas New Play Festival, is available for ­­­­­$40.

Tickets may be purchased through the Walton Arts Center’s website or by calling (479) 443-5600. For more information on the Month of New Works, please email drama@uark.edu.