Poetic Theater's 'TAPROOT' to Feature New Works by Dominique Morisseau, Jose Rivera and More

As part of Poetic License 2016: A Kind of Now, Poetic Theater Productions presents TAPROOT -- world premieres and re-imaginations of short poetic plays that explore growth and humanity in the context of social justice.

The Ten Poetic Short Plays Include:

"Jezelle the Gazelle"

A one-woman piece about a little girl who is running a race on her block, her politics, how she sees the world from the point of view of being a girl/woman, and what it means for her role in justice.

written by Dominique Morisseau

directed by Alex Mallory

featuring Dominique Fishback

"Half Share"

A love poem about two people who reach across race, class and social chaos to carve a life together in a country that grudgingly admits their existence.

written by Reginald Flood

directed by Dontonio Demarco

featuring Olivia Nice and Temesgen Tocruray

"Maxine's"

Holly is new to the area, but she needs the men in front of Maxine's to lower the volume in the middle of the night.

written by Craig muMs Grant

directed by Dennis Allen II

assistant direction by Celestine Rae

featuring Belle Caplis, Dontonio Demarco, Jevon Nicholson and Temesgen Tocruray

"Killer Bees"

A cop is haunted by his past.

written by Allison Zajac-Batell

directed by Alex Mallory

featuring Alex Witherow

"9"

Exploring time through life on earth and after, the character 9 reaches his time of existence, and is given the opportunity to amend a moment to transcend unto his higher calling.

written by André J. Smith

directed by Dennis Allen II

assistant direction by Celestine Rae

featuring Sean C., Edgar Eguia, Yadira De La Riva and Analisa Velez

"Paola and Andrea at the Altar of Words"

The exchanging of vows between two highly verbal women as their loved ones look on.

written by José Rivera

directed by Patrice Miller

featuring Tamara Geisler and Analisa Velez

"Charlotte"

Felix offers Charlotte shelter for the night.

written by José Rivera

directed by Kat Yen

featuring Ronnetta Renay and Nabil Viñas

"Sermon for the Senses"

A sermon from Jesus who tells us that while he has no idea what will happen there are some pretty terrific things in this world.

written By José Rivera

directed by Rebecca Martinez

featuring Txai Frota

"Impact"

A man and a woman explore their "first times".

written by José Rivera

directed by Kat Yen

featuring Tamara Geisler and Nabil Viñas

"What Happened Before"

After a long stay of absence, two lovers reconnect at gate C22.

written by Gina Femia

directed by Dontonio Demarco

featuring Jevon Nicholson and Ronnetta Renay

The TAPROOT: POETIC SHORT PLAYS design team includes: lighting and video design by David J. Palmer; sound design by J. Alexander Diaz and Isaiah Singer; technical direction by Ori Bensimhon; and stage management by Darielle Shandler.

TAPROOT: POETIC SHORT PLAYS is produced by Tamara Geisler, Adam Wennick, Danielle Puretz and Jeremy Karafin.

"Killer Bees" by Alison Zajac-Batell was developed in collaboration with Firehouse Creative Productions as part of the Emotional Competency in Policing Pilot Project. "What Happened Before" by Gina Femia and Reginald Flood's "Half Share" were originally developed for Poetic Theater Productions' Love Redefined. "9" by André J. Smith was developed in Poetic Theater Productions' Conscious Language.

TAPROOT: SHORT POETIC PLAYS is presented as part of Poetic License 2016: A Kind of Now, Poetic Theater Productions' 5th annual festival of new poetic theater. The festival features 23 unique shows from March 17th-April 10th. The full Poetic License 2016 line-up includes the American Premiere of SPKRBOX's Do Not Shine written by and featuring Craig muMs Grant, Taro Vestøl Cooper and Beatur and the premiere of the ensemble devised theater piece "The Refuge Project". Also featured in the festival are plays by Mahogany L. Browne, Eboni Hogan, Sofía Snow, Safiya Martinez, Dominique Fishback, Raquel Almazan, Keelay Gipson, Joanna Hoffman, Abena Koomson, Zoë Flowers, Climbing PoeTree, Truthworker Theatre Company, Girl Be Heard, Musical Theatre Factory, and Bedlam. The full line-up is available to view at www.poetictheater.com.

IF YOU GO:

TAPROOT: POETIC SHORT PLAYS

FEATURING NEW PLAYS BY: JOSÉ RIVERA, DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU, CRAIG MUMS GRANT, ALLISON ZAJAC-BATELL, ANDRÉ J. SMITH, REGINALD FLOOD, AND GINA FEMIA.

Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 7:00PM
Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 7:00PM
Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 7:00PM

At The Wild Project - 195 E 3rd St

TICKETS ON SALE NOW . Tickets available at www.poetictheater.com - $18.

Based in NYC's historic East Village, Poetic Theater Productions (Artistic Director Jeremy Karafin) has produced nine mainstage productions and seven festivals featuring over 125 unique events since its inception in 2010. Poetic Theater Productions seeks to define the modern genre of "poetic theater" by connecting and fostering a community of artists who are passionately creating relevant and accessible work and reinvigorating a conscious theater of language. Poetic Theater Productions offers resources and opportunities for poets, playwrights, and theater artists to create new work and see it through to production via educational workshops, developmental readings and performance. PTP seeks out and creates opportunities to connect with communities affected by the issues of topic within our productions, in NYC and nationwide, through collaborative projects and exchanges of art and ideas.