Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights Returns Next Month

The Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights (AFPP) is returning to Abingdon to celebrate the richness of the Appalachian culture by showcasing stories of the region and the inspiration it provides writers.

AFPP has gained national attention for developing a platform to discover and produce new works. The AFPP readings allow attendees to discover the next big hit, meet the new playwrights, and be a part of the process.

This year the festival has grown and includes many more events and activities. Included in this year's lineup are seven readings of new plays, three full-length productions, mini-production, five-part film series, launch-party with concert, a brunch and a picnic. The 2015 AFPP will now include nearly a month of activities.

Attending an AFPP reading is an opportunity to experience a new play before anyone else. For each reading, a group of actors puts together a performance focusing on the script and characters rather than set and costumes. Following each reading, audience and artist feedback gives the playwright a chance to hear from the very people who will eventually be buying tickets to their play.

The highly anticipated productions, which will be a part of AFPP are, "Shake, Rattle & Roll," "The Blind Man's Tale" and "Spit Like a Big Girl."

"Shake Rattle & Roll" a rockin' tribute to Elvis Presley featuring Scot Bruce will begin performances on August 27 with only 12 performances. This high-energy production is a 1950s and 1960s era Elvis Presley Tribute show sponsored by CentryLink. According to CNN, "the closes they can get to Elvis in the flesh is Scot Bruce!"

"The Blind Man's Tale," a new worship musical from the creators of "David" uses powerful music and storytelling to detail the story of Jesus healing the blind man in the Book of John chapter 9. "The Blind Man's Tale" will be performed for a limited run at Barter Theatre August from 12-16 only.

"Spit Like a Big Girl" is the third full-length production being offered during AFPP. This profound one-woman show takes a comic look at what a southern daughter learns from her college professor parents and examines how her father's lessons have served her in her struggles as the mother of a disabled child. Ventura Star called "Spit Like a Big Girl," "An indelible evening of theatre...heartwarming...intensely moving." This show will be performed at Barter Stage II from August 12-16.

The 2015 mini-production, which will be showing August 12-16, is "Consumed." Written by Chris Widney, "Consumed" tells the story of tuberculosis patients in upstate New York during a 1935 outbreak of the deadly disease. The story follows a quick-talking, swing dancing party girl, Betty McCracken, who is bound to get people living again!

The 2015 AFPP readings, which are free of charge, will include: "An Impossible Combination" by George S. Pate, "Friendly's Fire" by John Patrick Bray, "Water Bound" by Sam Lahne, "Prey" by Tommy Trull, "Dexter and Lewellyn" by Jonathon Ward, "The Union and Crystal Ann McKay" book and lyrics by Bryan D. Leys, music by Kevin Kuhn and "Joe Dawn" by David S. Williams. For details about each of these plays and when they will be read, visit bartertheatre.com or call 276-628-3991.

Abingdon Cinemall will host Barter's Appalachian Film Series. Each film will cost $7 to attend. The films included in the series are: "Remote Area Medical," "Stop the Pounding Heart," "Big Moccasin," "Deliverance" and "Little Accidents."

AFPP has been hosted by Barter Theatre for more than a decade now and helped countless playwrights develop their work over the course of the program. For further details about any of the AFPP events, please visit bartertheatre.com or call the box office at 276-628-3991.

The Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights is made possible by: Roadrunner Markets, Dunkin' Donuts, Big Weenie Productions and Coca-Cola Consolidated.