Fantasy Theatre Factory Presents New Year, New Works! Play Reading Series 2019

Fantasy Theatre Factory continues its dedication to the development of the performing arts in its community with the return of the highly-anticipated New Year, New Works! (NYNW) festival. After the promising success of its first run, New Year, New Works! is back to support local, upcoming artists and to bring their work to life.

With a record number of submissions, a panel of FTF staff, board members and artists decided to expand the programming of the upcoming festival; FTF will produce staged readings of five original works by Florida playwrights, an increase from last year's programming of four plays.

NYNW! 2019 will feature the following plays: "Simon Says" by Kris L. Bauske of Ocoee, "Ok, Sierra" by Adam N. Davis of Jacksonville, "Placement" by Catherine Pearson Tully of Miami, "Djuna" by George Loukides of Sarasota and "Poolside Glow" by Luis Roberto Herrera of Miami.

The plays' genres range from comedy to drama and even sci-fi. No two plays are alike. While Bauske's "Simon Says" charmingly pays homage to the late Neil Simon, Davis' "Ok, Sierra" reads like an episode straight out of Netflix's "Black Mirror," meaning there's something for everyone at this year's festival.

"We could have programmed this festival five times over with the number of wonderful new works we received," said NYNW! program director, Rommel Arellan-Marinas. "The program is expanding and becoming more competitive; this year's lineup promises even more diverse and engaging content, and we are honored to present such impressive, original work."

New Year, New Works! is one of two play reading programs currently offered by Fantasy Theatre Factory. Tickets to each night of the series can be reserved on FTF's website, www.ftfshows.com, or by calling the box office at (305) 284-8872.

About Fantasy Theatre Factory:

Fantasy Theatre Factory has been serving Florida since 1982. In addition to being the managing operator of the brand-new Sandrell Rivers Theater, FTF also performs in rural and inner-city schools, theatres, parks, hospitals, community centers and more across the entire state of Florida. Fantasy Theatre Factory presents more than 500 Florida programs reaching over 150,000 people each year.

Fantasy Theatre Factory's mission is to make more quality theatre programs available to more people of all cultures and backgrounds. FTF also provides skilled circus performers for all types of events as well as theatre workshops for young audiences, both typical and individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Fantasy Theatre Factory is headed by Executive Artistic Director, Larry Fields, who has served with the company since 2006. Fantasy Theatre Factory programs are award winning.

FTF has won the Miami-Dade Arts Educator of the Year Award, the 2013 Excellence in Direct Service to Children Award from the Miami-Dade Children's Trust, and the 2018 Remy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Theatre, among many others.