Palm Beach Dramaworks Announces a NEW Play in The Dramaworkshop

At the height of the Vietnam War, Lori's brother dodges the draft and her husband enlists. Left alone, faced with grief and loss, she disappears into her imagination. Will she find her way back and discover the strength she needs to move on with her life?

Domestic Animals, a new play by Jennifer Faletto, explores the impact of war on the loved ones left behind, and finding hope in times of despair. The Dramaworkshop, Palm Beach Dramaworks' developmental lab, presents this powerful examination of love, family, trauma, and healing, from January 13-22 in the Perlberg Studio Theatre at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre. There will also be a specially priced preview on January 12.

Faletto began developing her magical, heartfelt script with The Dramaworkshop last year, and this marks the first time Domestic Animals will be performed in front of an audience. The fully staged production will provide Faletto with an opportunity to learn what additional work needs to be done prior to an official world premiere. There will be a talkback following each performance, and the audience feedback will also contribute to the further development of the piece.

"It's only when a play goes in front of an audience that a playwright can see how well the piece is working," says William Hayes, PBD producing artistic director. "Playwrights are always fine-tuning, right up until a play is published - and sometimes after. Listening to the audience's response during the course of the play is very beneficial, but comments and opinions from savvy theatergoers are even more helpful to a playwright. They really will influence choices as the play moves to the next stage of production."

Domestic Animals is directed by Margaret M. Ledford and features Alex Alvarez, Clay Cartland, and Betsy Graver. Scenic design is by Michael Amico, costume design is by Brian O'Keefe, lighting design is by David Nail, and sound design is by Brad Pawlak.

Jennifer Faletto holds a BFA in theatre performance from Texas Christian University, and also trained at The Second City Conservatory in Chicago and the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney, Australia. Her plays include Bathroom Hate (finalist for the 2015 Reva Shiner Comedy award), Glow, and Reindeer Cupcakes. In addition to PBD, her plays have been developed by and produced at the Great Plains Theatre Conference, The Blank Theatre (LA), Capital Fringe (Washington, DC) and Short + Sweet (Sydney).

Palm Beach Dramaworks is a non-profit, professional theatre and is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the South Florida Theatre League, Florida Professional Theatres Association, and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

Domestic Animals will play a limited run of 11 performances, including a specially priced preview on January 12. Opening night, January 13, is already sold out. The schedule is as follows: Week one - Evening performances January 12-14 at 8pm, January 15 at 7pm, and matinee performances January 14 & 15 at 2pm. Week two - Evening performances January 19-21 at 8pm, and matinee performances January 20 & 21 at 2pm. Tickets for all performances are $25, except for the preview performance, which is priced at $18. There will be a talkback and Q&A following each performance.

The Don & Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, at 201 Clematis Street. For ticket information contact the box office at (561) 514-4042, or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

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