Photo Flash: Alley Theatre Holds Second Annual New Play Festival

Alley Theatre held its second annual new play festival - the 2017 Alley All New Festival from February 2-12- and a World Premiere of NSangou Njikam's Syncing Ink on February 8 2017. The festival included seven plays from playwrights including Robert Askins, Bekah Brunstetter and Rajiv Joseph. The festival also welcomed more than 40 artists, including Suzanne Vega, Faith Prince and Josie de Guzman.

"Now what you hear is not a test/I'm rapping to the beat!" Gordon wants to learn how to rap, thinking it will gain him respect, admiration, and the attention of a beautiful woman. What he doesn't know is that his journey to learn how to rhyme will take him not just deeper into Hip Hop, but deeper into his legacy and his purpose. Based on true events, NSangou Njikam leads us on a lyrical ride to discover what it really takes to freestyle. Directed by Niegel Smith, Artistic Director of New York's Flea Theater.

The Alley Theatre, one of America's leading not-for-profit theatres, is a nationally recognized performing arts company lead by Artistic Director Gregory Boyd and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden. Home to a Resident Company of actors, the Alley creates a wide-ranging repertoire and innovative productions of classics, neglected modern plays, and premieres. Alley All New, the initiative to commission and develop new work year round, features the Alley All New Festival each season presenting workshops and readings of new plays and musicals in process. A recipient of the Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Alley has brought productions to Broadway, 40 American cities including New York's Lincoln Center and internationally to Berlin, Paris, and St. Petersburg throughout its 70 year history.

Photo Credit: John Everett and Kim Coffman

Faith Prince and Josie de Guzman at the Alley Theatre All New Play Festival February 11th. Prince participated in Bekah Brunstetter’s The Cake, and Josie de Guzman joined Rajiv Joseph’s Describe the Night. Photo by John Everett.
Rajiv Joseph, Giovanna Sardelli and Robert Askins attend NSangou Njikam’s World Premiere Syncing Ink on Opening Night, part of the Alley Theatre All New Play Festival. February 8, 2017. Photo by Kim Coffman.
Josie de Guzman and Giovanna Sardelli attend NSangou Njikam’s World Premiere Syncing Ink on Opening Night, part of the Alley Theatre All New Play Festival. February 8, 2017Photo by Kim Coffman.
Flea Theater Artistic Director Niegel Smith and choreographer Gabriel “Kwikstep� Dionisio attend NSangou Njikam’s World Premiere Syncing Ink on Opening Night, part of the Alley Theatre All New Play Festival. February 8, 2017. Photo by Kim Coffman.
NSangou Njikam’s World Premiere Syncing Ink on Opening Night, part of the Alley Theatre All New Play Festival. February 8, 2017. Photo by Kim Coffman.