Aspen & Palm Beach Team Up For 'New Bridges Fest'

Palm Beach Dramaworks and Aspen Theater Masters are proud to announce the formation of a new play development program, New Bridges Fest. The two organizations, which have been working together since summer 2008, will present Equity staged-readings of four new plays by emerging American playwrights on March 8th and 9th at 7:30pm in Aspen, Colorado at the Black Box Theatre and March 23rd and 24th at 3pm and 7pm in Palm Beach, at Dramaworks' downtown theatre (322 Banyan Boulevard). Two plays will be presented at each reading, followed by brief post-show discussions with the playwrights and artistic team.

New Bridges Fest will join the resources of two organizations and build bridges for emerging playwrights --- linking competition winners from across the country with other regional veteran artists, producers and professionals who can influence and foster their promising careers. The program will provide multiple venues for these writers to develop their work and to introduce theater audiences to the process of new play development. Participating playwrights include Jennifer Fawcett, Naomi McDougal Jones, Josh Tobiesson and Jason Trembley. The readings will be directed by J. Barry Lewis of Palm Beach Dramaworks and Pesha Rudnick of Aspen Theater Masters. The acting ensemble includes John Archie and Kim Ehly from Florida, Peggy Mundinger from Aspen, Matthew Mueller from Denver, Josh Robinson from Boulder, and Chinai Hardy from New York. Each reading will be followed by a brief post-show discussion with the playwright.

"The process of writing a new play is costly and typically involves a rehearsal process with professional actors and multiple readings before a participatory audience. As theater companies throughout the country face budget setbacks and halt new programming, Palm Beach Dramaworks and Aspen Theater Masters remain committed to fostering emerging talent by joining forces" says Julia Hansen, Artistic Director of Aspen Theater Masters. "We recognize that investing in new play development today is more crucial than ever, and Aspen and Palm Beach provide an ideal audience base to engage in the process" added William Hayes, Producing Artistic Director of Palm Beach Dramaworks.

Aspen performance times are as follows: 3/8/09 - 7:30 p.m. The Threadbare Sex by Naomi McDougall Jones and Spoon Lake Blues by Josh Tobiessen. 3/9/09 - 7:30 p.m. Chicken and Ice Cream by Jason Tremblay and Then/After/Water by Jennifer Fawcett .

West Palm Beach performance times are as follows: 3/23/09 - 3:00 p.m. The Threadbare Sex by Naomi McDougall Jones and Spoon Lake Blues by Josh Tobiessen; 6:00 p.m. Special Kick-off party with playwrights and actors, 7:00 p.m. Chicken and Ice Cream by Jason Tremblay and Then/After/Water by Jennifer Fawcett; 3/24/09 - 3:00 p.m. Chicken and Ice Cream by Jason Tremblay and Then/After/Water by Jennifer Fawcett; 7:00 p.m. The Threadbare Sex by Naomi McDougall Jones and Spoon Lake Blues by Josh Tobiessen.

Tickets are $20 each for the readings and post-performance discussions, and $150 for the special reception prior to the 7:00 p.m. performance on March 23rd. For Aspen ticket information contact (970) 948-9484 or purchase tickets at the door. For Palm Beach ticket information, call the box office at (561) 514-4042, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 4PM, or visit our website at www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

Palm Beach Dramaworks is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, at 322 Banyan Boulevard, between Dixie Highway and Olive Avenue, Florida 33401. Parking is offered across the street for a nominal fee, or in the City Garage on the corner of Olive Avenue and Banyan Boulevard for $1.00 per hour with the first hour free!

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