Month of New Works Continues This Week With Two New Plays by Student Playwrights

Photo Submitted

Prince Duren and Todd Taylor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Prince Duren and Todd Taylor will present their original works Caught in the Net and Flamingo and Decatur this week as part of a Month of New Works presented by University Theatre and Theatre Squared.

Caught in the Net will run June 19 and 20. Flamingo and Decatur will run June 22 and 23. The performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studio. Both authors are students in the master of fine arts playwriting program in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Caught in the Net 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?"

Samille Palm, Kelsey Newman, Kanesha Day and Meghan Lewis are directed by Kate Frank, with scenic and projection design by Michael Riha, costume design by Cayla Greer and lighting design by Justin Spaethe. Other works by Duren include Delta Secret and Keeping My Brother.

Flamingo and Decatur follows two men trying to make a living in Sin City. These 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.

Directed by Amy Herzberg, cast members Jason Shipman, Stephanie Bignault, Nate Stahlke and Curt Longfellow bring the characters to life with the help of scenic design by Michael Riha, costume design by Valerie Lane and lighting design by Justin Spaethe. Other works by Taylor include Calculation and Grave Digger's Art.

Tickets to each performance are $5 for adults and $3 for University of Arkansas students. The Nadine Baum Studios are located at 505 W. Spring Street in downtown Fayetteville. Tickets may be purchased at the door, through the Walton Arts Center's website or by calling 479-443-5600. There is an additional processing fee for online purchases. For more information on the Month of New Works, please email drama@uark.edu.