STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL Spotlights Immigrants in the US

The Riant Theatre (Van Dirk Fisher, Artistic Director) -- the Audelco Award-winning nonprofit providing a nurturing developmental environment for playwrights and theatre creators of diverse cultural backgrounds -- proudly presents THE STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL. In light of our current atmosphere in the USA, the festival is proud to feature two plays that share the experiences of 2 immigrants seeking asylum in the USA. Reinforcing the principle that we as people have more in common than what separates us; the pursuit of happiness and a better way of life.

For Edafe Okporo, being a gay man living in Nigeria was no longer a safe place to be. Mr. Okporo, an advocate for Human Rights for the LGBTQ community, worked tirelessly helping people affected by HIV get information about the resources available to them. But suddenly, he found himself needing help, because in Nigeria it is against the law to be gay and people can capture a gay person and stone them to death. Van Dirk Fisher heard about Mr. Okporo's plight at an event given by Immigration Equality and was so moved by it, that he convinced him that he must share his story through a play with him playing himself. It is a powerful story that must be told and who better to tell it than Edafe Okporo himself."

THE STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL, was created as a vehicle to discover new talent and provide a nurturing environment to develop new plays and outstanding artist. "But our main goal is to touch people's souls and I believe theatre has the power to do that most effectively," said Mr. Fisher. "If we can touch one person and help them relate to another human being and realize what we have in common; the pursuit of happiness. If we can learn to love thy neighbor as you love thyself -- the world will be a better place."

BED 26 by Van Dirk Fisher and Edafe Okporo is based on the memoir BED 26 by Edafe Okporo. It will have 3 Performances ONLY on Tuesday, March 19th at 7:30pm and 9:00pm and Sunday, March 24th at 2:40pm at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios & Theatres (244 West 54th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, NYC). BED 26 will be among 32 plays presented over 12 days, from Wednesday, March 13th through Sunday, March 24th, 2019. This winter's festival marks the 32nd Season of The Riant Theatre's renowned short play competition and will feature the premieres of 24 short one-act plays and eight full-length one-act plays. Reflecting the diversity written into the mission of its presenter, THE STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL has produced over 1,500 one-act plays since it began in 1995.

Tickets for all performances during THE STRAWBERRY ONE-ACT FESTIVAL are priced as follows: General admission - $25 advance/$27 at the box office. Tickets are on sale now through www.therianttheatre.com or by calling 646-623-3488. Festival Pass discount packages are also available upon request.

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