Van Dirk Fisher News

In honor of Black History Month, On the Verge Theatre is presenting Tied, a one-man play by Crystal Rae on-stage February 22 - 25, 2024 at Bering Church. Check out production photos here!

In honor of Black History Month, On the Verge Theatre will present Tied, a one-man play by Crystal Rae on-stage February 22 - 25, 2024. Learn more about the production here!

On the Verge Theatre in collaboration with The Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of Tied, a one-man play by Crystal Rae on-stage September 23 - October 9, 2022 at the Ensemble Theatre, 3535 Main St, Houston, TX.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces a star-studded cast for this year's 2022 TRUSpeak: Hear Our Voices!, a virtual gala scheduled for Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 5pm to 7pm. Presented with generous sponsorship from R.K. Greene and The Storyline Project, Patrick Blake of Rhymes Over Beats, Merrie L. Davis of Next Act 2 Follow, Neal Rubinstein/Dangerous,   Judith Estrine of Prism Stage Company, Stephanie Rosenberg/Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors and Judith Manocherian LLC, this is an evening to raise awareness of current social issues, as well as awareness of the work TRU has been doing for the theater community for over 28 years. Tickets and details are available at http://TRUSpeakTix.com.

Van Dirk Fisher- founder CEO/Artistic Director of The Riant Theatre/Black Experimental Theatre, The Strawberry One Act and Jocunda Theatre Festivals - passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021 of intestinal cancer.

Theater Resources Unlimited has announced that the second play in the TRU Voices Series, Golden Wings by Coolidge Harris II, will star Tony winner Lillias White and Scotch Ellis Loring on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 3pm. The cast also includes Stanley Wayne Mathis, Jerome Preston Bates, Dan Saunders, Crystal Starr, Sherman Edwards and Aliria Johnson.

As part of their monthly series of informational panels, Theater Resources Unlimited presents Dust off Your Dreams: The Long-Awaited Return of Our Favorite Festivals on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 via Zoom.

The Jocunda Festival's Virtual Play Reading Series presents a performance of God's Train To Auschwitz by Marc Littman and Penelope by Chalmers Hardenberg, both directed by Van Dirk Fisher, on Sunday, May 16th at 8PM EDT / 5PM PDT on Zoom.

The JOCUNDA FESTIVAL will present MY MOMMA THE SUPER ACTION HERO by Kenthedo Robinson and directed by Van Dirk Fisher, on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at 8PM ET and 5PM PT on Zoom. A mother goes as far as putting her son's life in danger to inspire him. Can she save him? Can she be his Super Action Hero?

The JOCUNDA FESTIVAL presents AN INSTITUTION by Daniel A. Takacs and directed by Van Dirk Fisher, on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 8PM EST and 5PM PST on Zoom.

Themes include gay life in the '80s to the concept of gender reveal. Registering for a link will allow you to watch all the plays performing in that time slot. None of these plays in the festival have been performed before. So you're getting the first look at some of the most exciting and upcoming cutting edge plays that the festival has to offer.

Theater Resources Unlimited has announced TRUSpeak ... Hear Our Voices! Virtual Fundraiser on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 5pm (eastern time) via Zoom. TRUSpeak is a curated selection of short plays and musicals by TRU writers, produced by TRU producers and directed by TRU directors, all touching upon current social issues.

Rachel Zatcoff, Antoine L. Smith, Mary Illes, and more will star in Samantha Hahn's comedic play The Right Way, as part of the Jocunda Festival's Virtual Play Reading Series.

Playwright Ellen Pober Rittberg has never gotten stuck in an elevator, but she was intrigued by the idea of setting a play in a hotel elevator on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year. [Sabbath elevators stop at every floor automatically.]

JOCUNDA FESTIVAL presents the award-winning playwright Robert Bowie Jr.'s Black Lives Matter play, THE GRACE OF GOD & THE MAN MACHINE, formerly known as 'ONAJE', will appear on Sunday, October 25th at 8:00 p.m. EST on Zoom. Donations are $15.00.

The JOCUNDA FESTIVAL Presents a Virtual Play Reading of VEILS OF JUSTICE written by Tita Anntares and directed by Van Dirk Fisher on Sunday, September 27th at 8PM EST.

The JOCUNDA MUSIC, FILM & THEATRE FESTIVAL Presents a Virtual Play Reading of MARILYN/GOD by Rosary O'Neill and directed by Alan Smason and ENTR' ACTE written and directed by Anthony Fusco on Sunday, September 13th at 8PM EST.

The Jocunda Music, Film & Theatre Festival presents a Virtual Play Reading of ENTR' ACTE written and directed by Anthony Fusco and MARILYN/GOD by Rosary O'Neill and directed by Alan Smason on Zoom on Sunday, September 13th @ 8 PM EST.

The JOCUNDA MUSIC, FILM & THEATRE FESTIVAL Presents an ENCORE Virtual Play Reading of GREENWOOD by Coolidge Harris, Jr. and Directed by Van Dirk Fisher on Sunday, September 6th at 8PM EST.

The JOCUNDA MUSIC, FILM & THEATRE FESTIVAL Presents A Virtual Play Reading of CLEANING UP WHEN FRIENDS VISIT written by Grace Gibbons, CHEERS! A BAR STOOL STORY written by Janine D. Robinson and THERAPY written by Ellen Orchid, all 3 plays directed by Van Dirk Fisher on Zoom on SATURDAY, AUGUST 22nd @ 8 PM EST (U.S. and Canada).