MTWorks’ 2012 National NewBorn Fest Premieres Four Premiere Works 2/2-4

MTWorks' 2012 National NewBorn Festival is set to present four premiere works Thursday, February 2nd through Saturday, February 4th. Now on its sixth year the National NewBorn Festival is MTWorks' playwriting competition and flagship program created to "find talented emerging playwrights from across the US, introduce their work to the New York community, and open new doors to regional voices. MTWorks embraces its mission by presenting plays that do not take place in New York City, many of the past selections from the festival have had productions by MTWorks and other notable companies. Readings are free and open to the public. This is the second year the festival is sponsored by the Psychology Club and Psychology Department of the City College of New York."

The winning plays (with the exception of the resident reading) are eligible for two other awards:

o The Audience Favorite Award voted upon by the audience attending the festival. The winner of the Audience Favorite Award will receive a second reading by New York Theatre Company On the Square Productions as part of their 2012-13 Season. This is the first year we are collaborating with another company to further the life of the winning play.

o The Excellence in Playwriting Award bestowed by the MTWorks' Board of Directors. The board selects the winner before the festival takes place and is not influenced by the work the director and actors are achieving at the readings.

The first Excellence in Playwriting Award winner was Riti Sachdeva with her play Parts of Parts of Stitches later on selected to be part of our current Season of Fight and is scheduled to begin performances March 15th, 2012 under the direction of Cat Parker.

Artistic Director David Stallings and founding member Antonio Miniño are overseeing the 2012 National NewBorn Festival. The Tragedy of Dandelion produced by London Griffith; Denny and Lila produced by Jessica Thornhill; Absinthe produced by Martha Goode; On Egdon Heath produced by David Stallings.

Thursday, February 2nd at 7pm
The Tragedy of Dandelion by Duncan Pflaster, directed by Leah Bonvissuto

The Princess Dandelion dresses as a boy in order to escape her rapist and would-be husband. Traveling through her society, she meets nuns, soldiers, clowns, and falls in love with another princess. Written entirely in iambic pentameter.

Friday, February 3rd at 7pm
Denny and Lila by August Schulenburg, directed by Tom Wojtunik

After her husband Marcus divorces her for their much younger maid Lucia, Mary turns to the con artist team of Denny, Lila and Jabber for revenge. They take the job, with Denny pretending to be the Nerdua-quoting electrician 'Fred' to seduce Lucia; and Lila pretending to be the daftly charming British novelist 'Mara' to seduce Marcus. All goes well until Denny develops an unexpected connection to Nettie, Mary and Marcus' manic-depressive daughter.

Saturday, February 4th at 5pm
Absinthe by Joe Musso, directed by Dev Bondarin

It's July 1900, and a race riot has engulfed New Orleans, sparked by a black man killing two white policemen. At first, the violence on the streets is far removed from the genteel parlor of Grace Newman, a blind white woman cared for by her house servant, Curtis, a former slave owned by Grace's father. Grace and Curtis's relationship is forged by respect and compassion. However, their true feelings for each other must remain hidden from Grace's racist brother Henry, a Civil War vet who fought for the South and who is hell-bent on bringing justice to a black man who killed two white policemen. As a race riot in the streets unfolds, Grace and Curtis's relationship unravels.

Saturday, February 4th at 8pm
RESIDENT READING
On Egdon Heath a new adaptation by David Stallings, directed by Glory Kadigan
from Thomas Hardy's novel The Return of the Native

Award-winning playwright David Stallings' adapts one of the most powerful works of famed author Thomas Hardy, "The Return of the Native." The ensemble of townspeople On Egdon Heath will take you on a journey of love, passion and folklore, centered on the beautiful and mystical Eustacia Vye. Her hunger for escape and a devastating twist of fate will affect the lives of the Yeobrights, the Wildeves and the heart of the heath.

All readings are followed by Question & Answer sessions.

Reservations at http://tinyurl.com/72h4jfw

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