Herberger College Theatre launches seventh annual New Plays Marathon

WHAT: The Herberger College’s Department of Theatre at ASU announces the seventh annual New Plays Marathon, a series of staged readings written by ASU graduate student playwrights and presented free to the public.

The New Plays Marathon is a celebration of the process of developing exciting new works for the theatre. Guillermo Reyes, ASU professor of theatre and head of the playwriting program, heads up this ambitious project in play development.

WHEN: March 28 through April 6, 2003, times vary.

WHERE: Barbara Salisbury Wills Child Drama Studio, Nelson Fine Arts Center 131,
51 E. 10th St. on the ASU campus in Tempe.

HOW MUCH: Free.

CALL: For additional information, the public may call 480-965-5337.

NEW PLAYS MARATHON 2003 SCHEDULE:

Shift by Kristyn Benedyk
Coworkers Mike and Kelly struggle to make sense of their lives in post-9/11 Iowa. Readings: Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m. and Thursday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Burning Times by Luke Krueger
Burning Times is about Dr. Beckian Uphoff, who attempts educational reform in an 
affluent town, and becomes embroiled in political schemes, a shock rocker controversy, and an apocryphal religious prophesy. In her attempts at reform, she eventually is charged with an obscure city crime, which leads to a burning scandal. Not appropriate for children. Readings: Friday, March 28 at 5 p.m. and Sunday April 6 at 4:30 p.m.

Plastic Angels by Amy Dominy
On their fifth wedding anniversary, two couples discover they were never really married. This is a comedy about the drama of marriage. Readings: Sunday, March 30 at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 at 5 p.m.

American Latino Redux by James Garcia
A satirical look at the state of 'multi-Latinoism' in America. The play lampoons everything from '60s Chicano militants to the 'High-Spicnic' search in suburbia for mainstream acceptance. Readings: Friday, March 28 at 9 p.m. and Sunday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m.

White Boy Can Rap by Mark Ebsen Zeller aka Drenelen
The last will and testament of Richard White, Jr., otherwise known as the famous rapper “White Boy.” A story told through raw hip-hop vocals and spoken word poetry. Readings: Saturday, March 29 at noon and Friday, April 4 at 5:30 p.m.

The Stage is Dark by Cary DeBerry
An experimental look into multiple planes of human consciousness and reality which 
takes you into the recesses of a couple's psyche. Witness their inner struggles as they journey through the mystical beyond in an effort to make their relationship work. Through drama, dance, spoken word and percussion, this show challenges the audience member to consider issues of power, gender and identity. Readings: Saturday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 6 at 7 p.m.

Butterfly by Ruth Engelthaler
A play for family audiences that explores the relationship between a mother and her daughter. Readings: Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 at noon.

14 by Jose Casas
A collection of stories from both sides responding to the Arizona/Mexico immigration controversy. Readings: Friday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 6 at noon.

Apache Tears by Laurelann Porter
Two women come to the desert in search of healing. They become stranded and are 
confronted by a strong supernatural force. Readings: Thursday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 at 9:30 p.m.

Bull Corner by Christopher Miller
Do the most powerful 19th century railroad tycoons stand a chance against the likes of Lord Gordon-Gordon – the kilt-wearing Earl of Aberdeen, youngest member of the House of Lords, and a direct descendant of Lord Byron himself? In how many ways does Manifest Destiny manifest itself? Find out. Readings: Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Crosswords by John Franklin, winner of the 2002 Arizona Playwrights Contest
Two senior citizens contemplate suicide in order to put an end to their many difficulties. A life-affirming drama and the winner of the 2002 Arizona Playwrights Contest. Reading: Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m.

* Featuring the Mainstage production of MFA Playwright Jose Casas' thesis play:

the vine directed by Pamela Sterling
Lyceum Theatre
an old school, hip-hop, slam poetry, break dancing, coming-of-age story set in the 
early 80's in Los Angeles that revolves around the lives of a group of bboys and bgirls. Performances: Friday and Saturday, March 14-15 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m.

Media Contact:
Megan Krause
480-965-8795
megan.krause@asu.edu