MASTERWORK to Address Art-Life Balance at Tampa International Fringe Festival

A painter struggles with her identity and ability to express herself as years pass and she becomes a wife and mother.

Masterwork by Karissa Barber follows the artist from her Bohemian studio apartment to white picket fence. Is it possible to regain something she sacrificed for the life she chose?

Tampa International Fringe Festival (May 11-14th, 2017) will be the world premiere of Masterwork, and audiences can expect a riveting argument, playful dialogue, charming romance, and a little tragedy; the broad range of theatre in this two-person, 60-minute production.

Karissa Barber is an Orlando- and Tampa Award-winning actress writing and producing her first play, Masterwork, for the Tampa International Fringe Festival. Thirteen years married to her college sweetheart and four kids later, this Lakelander has sought to capture the familiar struggle of balancing passion with personal life through this original piece.

Winning Theatre Tampa Bay's award for "Outstanding Featured Actress" in October, Barber is elated to return to the Tampa theatre scene with this poignant, raw, honest piece. Joining Barber in this two person show is Lakeland-based morning radio show host, Christopher Roden playing the painter's husband.

Masterwork features artwork from painter Michael J. Citak and original music from Benjamin Arnold with lyrics by Jeffrey Peacock. Directed by newcomer Drew Arnold and stage management by Gail Vann. Technical direction by Dutch Salaz and costume design by Chrissy Plunkett.

Masterwork plays at the Silver Meteor Gallery on: Thursday, May 11th at 9:10 pm; Saturday, May 13 at 5:05 pm; Sunday, May 14 at 3:50 pm. Silver Meteor Gallery is located at 2213 E 6th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605. Tickets are $11 and can be ordered in advance at tampafringe.org/tiff/masterwork.

To learn more about Karissa Barber, visit www.karissabarber.com or follow her on Instagram @theactingmom.

To post a comment, you must register and login.