THE COLLECTIVE: 10 PLAY FESTIVAL with Burstyn, Thomas, Sullivan and More Kicks Off Today

The Collective NY presents THE COLLECTIVE:10 PLAY FESTIVAL, two programs of 10-minute plays directed, produced, and performed by members of the permanent ensemble and Collective colleagues including artists from The Actors Studio, Chris Sullivan (Broadway's Lombardi and Nice Work If You Can Get It) and writer Greg DePaul (Bride Wars, Saving Silverman). Performances begin today, October 9 at The McGinn/Cazale Theater. The plays, selected from over 300 blind submissions, will also be published as an anthology. The works included are:

PROGRAM A -- Oct. 9, 11 & 13 at 7pm; Oct. 12 at 5pm & 9pm:

• THE EXIT INTERVIEW by Dave Hanson
Directed by Eddie Kaye Thomas, featuring Nina Mehta and Daniel O'Shea
A man shows up in a place that he feels and sounds familiar. The next ten minutes will be a journey for him to not only discover where he is but what is next.
• MAY FIRST TWENTY ELEVEN by Craig McNulty
Directed by Margaret Champagne, featuring Chris Beetem and Swann Gruen
Two brothers come together and can't quite decide on how to "celebrate".
• FAITH ON A TUESDAY by Thomas C. Dunn
Directed by Robert Z Grant, featuring Dante Alexander and Khalil Muhammad
Two brothers come together and come apart - slowly and deliberately
• JOE & BECCA by Greg DePaul
Directed by Ellen Burstyn and Jacqueline Knapp, featuring Michael Billingsley and Victoria Dicce
A husband and wife's family trip takes a quiet and dark turn
• MORNING IS BROKEN by Craig Nobbs
Directed by Eddie Kaye Thomas, featuring Booker Garrett and Mike Houston
The morning after holds promise and regrets as two people navigate their friendship
• NO SUGAR by Philip Hall
Directed by Karen Chamberlain, featuring Margaret Champagne and Chris Sullivan
A waitress on her graveyard shift meets a road-weary stranger.

PROGRAM B: - Oct. 10 & 12 at 7pm; Oct. 11 at 9pm; Oct. 13 at 5pm:

• BREAKING UP WITH MY MOTHER by Matthew K. Weiland
Directed by Sayra Player, featuring Susan Aston and Dave Hanson
A mother and son learn that packing up and breaking up are never easy.
• THE BRAZILIAN DILEMMA by William Fowkes
Directed by Nina Mehta, featuring Karen Chamberlain and Robert Z Grant
A couple discuss the things unsaid and the things they wish they hadn't said.
• BURNT TOAST by Timothy Brady
Directed by Mike Houston, featuring Lisa Kicielinski, Rock Kohli and Marc Menchaca
In rural Missouri, faith, Kenny Rogers and toast come together in unexpected ways.
• INDEPENDENCE by Dan Barnhill
Directed by Elizabeth Kemp, featuring Mike Houston and Kevin Kane
Fireworks take on a different spin as two friends gather on a rooftop.
* TURTLE FACE by David Thigpen
Directed by Kevin Kane, featuring Patrick Bonck, Swann Gruen, Daniel O'Shea* and Naomi Warner
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and behind closed doors.
• YOU'RE A CHILD by Joseph B. McCarthy
Directed by Booker Garrett and Kevin Kane, featuring Victoria Dicce* and John D'Ornellas
Element is hearing voices and being visited by unwanted guests.

Modeled after The Group Theatre, The COLLECTIVE is a theatre and film Production Company founded in 2007 by graduates from the William Esper Studio. Founding members include Amy Schumer. The Collective NY was actively involved in developing Season 1 and now Season 2 of Inside Amy Schumer. The company has been building its ensemble and its following among the theatre community and sharpening its mission to include "access to all" for vital theatre productions. The COLLECTIVE is a not-for-profit company and a collective of artists committed to develop and produce original work for the stage and screen. Past productions include Clayscapes by Clay McLeod Chapman, True North by Edward Allen Baker, 360 by The Collective, Me Equals This + Happy Girl :) by Brian Leider, Someone Who'll Watch Over Me by Frank McGuinness, and Warning: May Contain Nuts by Craig McNulty. For more information visit www.thecollective-ny.org.

THE COLLECTIVE:10 PLAY FESTIVAL is presented as part of The Collective's "No Empty Seats" initiative in which up to half the seats for every performance are made available on a free and pay-what-you-can basis. This program is made possible by the company's generous donors and patrons. If you cannot afford a ticket, book one for free online, or pay-what-you-can at the theater. www.no-empty-seats.org

THE COLLECTIVE:10 PLAY FESTIVAL runs October 9 - 13. Performances are Wednesday & Thursday at 7pm; Friday at 7pm & 9pm; Saturday at 5pm, 7pm & 9pm; and Sunday at 5pm & 7pm. The McGinn/Cazale Theater is located at 2162 Broadway at 76th Street, accessible form the 1,2 & 3 subway lines at 72nd Street. Tickets are $10 at www.Collective10fest.com.

Pictured: Dave Hanson

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