Keen Company Presents the 2023 KEEN TEENS FESTIVAL OF NEW WORK This Month

Keen Company has announced details for the 2023 Keen Teens Festival of New Work. The festival features three world premiere commissioned one-acts that star New York City highschoolers. The program includes new plays by C. Julian Jiménez and the duo Daniel Carlton & Nambi E. Kelley along with a new musical by Rona Siddiqui. Performances take place May 19-21, 2023 at Theatre Row in Theatre One, located at 410 W 42nd St in Manhattan. Tickets, which are $20, are currently on sale at www.keencompany.org.

Keen Teens is the cornerstone of Keen Company's outreach and educational efforts. To the company's knowledge, Keen Company is the only professional theater actively creating new work for high school students. Each year, Keen commissions accomplished playwrights and composers to create original plays and musicals that are as complex and multilayered as the lives of young people today. The plays are given their world premieres Off-Broadway in the Keen Teens Festival of New Work, published in The Keen Collection by Concord Theatricals, and licensed for productions throughout the United States and world. Since its launch in 2007, Keen Teens has served over 450 New York City teens and commissioned over 45 new plays and musicals which are currently being performed around the world.

Keen Teens deals with modern teenage realities, including some strong language and social and cultural discussions. The 2023 plays include topics such as feelings of otherness and school shootings which may not be appropriate for all young audience members.

The creative team for the 2023 Keen Teens Festival of New Work includes Festival Artistic Director Celestine Rae Keen, Keen Teens Associate Ashley Scott, Set Designer Indigo Shea, Costume Designer Brittani Beresford, Lighting Designer Alex DeNevers, Sound Designer Jordana Abrenica, Production Stage Manager Sloane Fischer, and Production Manager Savannah Sanchez.

Four performances will take place on May 19 at 8pm, May 20 at 2pm & 8pm, and May 21 at 2pm.

Buck Stars

By C. Julian Jiménez
Directed by Michelle Chan
When an unsheltered person walks into a chain coffeehouse, snap judgements abound, and customers and staff alike must wrestle with their own capacity for compassion while navigating their own personal traumas at the same time.

Featuring Ellie Altebrando, Annahlyn Barrett, Mikayla Bracero, Dereck Diller, Xavier Gonzalez, Sunam Govind, Kyla Jones, Kaleb Joseph, Lesly Montano, and Bianca Vigilante.

Creative team includes assistant director Josie Harding and assistant stage manager Alex Church Gonzales.

Kirdle & Miffins: Curiosity Saved the Cats

By Rona Siddiqui
Directed by Tom Costello
A celebration of curiosity and wonder, Kirdle & Miffins follows two lovable alley cats who are whisked from the tough city streets to cushy living room life. But what happens when they become so complacent that they don’t question those in power, even when trouble is afoot?

Featuring Isabella Lamacchia, Charlotte Coffey, Lily Daquigan, Joshua Garcia, Lily Giese, Leonardo Kettells, Patience Lee, Raizel Keisha Moscardon, Beatrice Rimel, Angel Rodriguez, and Kiesse Yengo-Pessy.

Creative team includes choreographer Laura K. Nicoll, music director Laurént G. Williams, assistant director Bibiana Torres, and assistant stage manager Sloane Fischer.

Hidden Inside

By Daniel Carlton and Nambi E. Kelley
Directed by Christopher Burris
A novice student teacher is put in charge of Saturday School for chronically late kids. But when a standard drill goes awry, the students are forced to honestly connect with each other, transcend high school archetypes, and reckon with their true identities.

Featuring Sebastian Acosta, Jahsiah Auguste, Aicha Bathily, Serenity Facey, Karla Lazala, Cristina Lopez, Jonathan Morales, Nashmia Rahman, Justin Rivera, and Ruby Rodriguez

Creative team includes assistant director Melody Munitz and assistant stage manager Craig Steely Jr.

Please visit www.keencompany.org/keenteens for more information.