INDEPENDENT VOICES Enters Final Weekend at The Centre Theatre

The Independent Voices Festival enters its final weekend with four diverse productions. These productions include two solo performance pieces, a world premiere by a local playwright and the premiere of a new work by Norristown Educational Theatre for youth.

Festus the 3-Legged Wonder Dog, is about difference and disability. It is a comic and touching theater piece about my very special dog, a dog that lost one of his legs as a puppy but has since triumphed over adversity. In real life, Festus and Domenick are certified as a pet therapy team who visit patients in hospitals and they relate these experiences onstage. Thematically, the performance explores what it is like when people are not considered "normal," and how ultimately others' perceptions should not hinder you from making the most out of one's life. Although it is told in a light-hearted and broad comic style at its heart the piece deals with disability and making the most of what you have been given. The play features Domenick Scudera . Scudera's solo theater performance, Kilts Forever, premiered at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in 2001 and the show has subsequently appeared on many stages, most recently with the Reading Theater Project in 2008. As a writer, he is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. Domenick is Professor of Theater and Chair of the Theater and Dance department at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. At Ursinus, he teaches acting and other courses and has directed over 25 productions since 1997. The play runs Friday, January 20 at 8pm.

From The Heavens by Sebastian Cummins tells the story of a group of performers who have found themselves the slaves of a government in economic crisis, much like animals enslaved to a Circus. One among these performers has been prophesied to lead a rebellion against the state, but is unsure of his ability to challenge the ever intimidating Ring Leader. This dark play uses music and dance to transport the audience, entertain, and take unyieldingly grip their attention..Sebastian Cummings was born in Frankfurt, Germany. And brought his work to Philadelphia in 2010. His play, “Who Invited Jesus?”, premiered at Philadelphia’s Art, Life, Action! Festival, where it was positively received. He continued performing in original works in the greater Philadelphia area, including another original work of his own, “Once Upon A Time”, which he performed in the Philly Primary Stages 10 minute play festival in March of 2010. From the Heavens runs Saturday January 21 at 8pm.

For our younger views and families, NET (Norristown Educational Theatre) presents Three American Indian Tales. This afternoon performance is an interactive, educational adventure for young and old alike as this nationally recognized company premieres their new production before it begins its tour. Learn a bit about Native Americans while enjoying the fascinating fun that theatre brings to their folk stories including The Origin of Strawberries, The Story of Sequoyah, and The Story of Brass. This family friendly show runs Saturday January 21 at 1pm with special pricing of$8 for Adults and $5 for kids!

Norristown Educational Theatre,'s mission is to present theatre as performance and a teaching tool across the curriculum, with special emphasis on literature, history and social issues. They seek to take performance to the student whether in the classroom, cafeteria, library or community room. Of particular importance, is to make theatre available to at-risk and under-served student audiences. N.E.T. was founded in 2010, on the premise that all students should have access to artistic and cultural experiences regardless of their educational, social, or economic backgrounds.

Based on the life and times of freedom fighter Sojourner Truth, this powerful story is told through the emotional testimony of versatile actress Zuhairah. With a small cast centered around the masterful performance of Zuhairah McGill, artistic director of Swarthmore's First World Theatre, the play tells the story of former slave turned women's right activist Sojourner Truth.

This production received 2002 Barrymore Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play Zuhairah was honor to have been invited to Mississippi as part of the Russ College Lyceum Series to performed “Sojourner” to standing rooms only performances. She’s also the recipient of The Black Arts for Social Change Award This world class production closes the festival on January 22 at 2pm

The Independent Voices Festival spotlights performers who deserve an encore performance or who want to bring new work to the stage. The Centre Theater also offers opportunities for new performers to explore professional productions. The month long festival highlights more than three premieres and performances from many genres’ including theater, movement, music, and puppetry.

Each weekend there will be performances in the Centre Theater's 4th floor space Thursday-Saturday at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Most seats are $15.00. Most performance dates are 50-75 minutes long. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Centre Theater website and checking the posted calendar for performances and times or at thecentretheater.ticketleap.com. or at the Theatre Alliance at http://www.theatrealliance.org/centre-theater-tickets. Patrons can also call the Centre at 610-279-1013.

The Centre Theater has been involved with the project to develop an arts district in Norristown. The Theater has been the anchor for the arts in Norristown for more than 16 years. The theater is located at 208 DeKalb Street one block from the Norristown Transit Station, the street that has become “Norristown Arts Hill”. The facility is undergoing a massive renovation including the development of a new larger theatrical space.

The Centre Theater is in the Montgomery County Cultural Center at 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown. It is easily reached via routes 202, I-76, I-476 and Ridge Pike. There is plenty of free parking and the theater is one block from Septa’s Norristown Transit Center on the Manayunk/Norristown line. Call 610-279-1013 for tickets and information or visit the web at www.thecentretheater.org