Bubble Bubble Toil And Trouble: 7th Annual New Works Festival From 3 Girls Theater Company Takes Over Z Below For Eleven Days

3 Girls Theater Company presents the 2018 edition of its New Works Festival, this year taking place at Z Below in the Mission District. Now in its 7thyear, this year's festival is designed around the theme of "Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble," a line lifted from Shakespeare's MacBeth where three witches acting as prophets not only foretell the future, but then apply all their natural talents, inclinations and cooking skills to make it happen before serving it all up as a nice meal at their new pop-up, Burnham Wood and Dunsinane.

"What I love about this theme," says 3 Girls Theater Artistic Director AJ Baker, "is not only do these three prophetic witches foretell a scary future, but employ the most creative and creepy cooking skills in history to whip up a bubbling supernatural stew of discontent in the process. Are things as weird and wicked today as they were in 11th century Scotland? It certainly feels like it. And this is a time where artists and audiences can really step up, which is what the whole festival is about, really-giving them the opportunity to do just that."

The 2018 3GT New Works Festival features an array of one-time only line-up of original readings, performances, on-stage conversations and events designed to entertain, challenge and inspire audiences and theater-makers alike. In addition to new works on the theme, the Festival features staged readings of the two best plays from the 2017-2018 Salon Series, 3GT's core development program. 10 days of unique theater events by Bay Area women playwrights means there's something (or even many things!) for everyone!

All events will be staged at Z Below in the Mission District: complete Festival schedule and details below:

July 27, The Bubble Rises: Opening Night:
The festival kicks off with a no holds barred conversation between nationally acclaimed BLM activist/artist/force of nature, and now Oakland Mayoral candidate Cat Brooks in conversation with 3GT Artistic DirectorAJ Baker about how theater makers make their voices heard in challenging political times. In addition there will be an award-winning short play by 3GT resident playwright Elizabeth Flanagan along with provocative comedy from improv artists Rachel Hamilton & Kimberly MacLean. Everyone is invited to celebrate at our Opening Night party after the show. 7:30 pm

July 28, 3GT Innovators Series: Two Coins for the Ferryman:
Liar Liar's Two Coins for the Ferryman will send six audience members on an immersive quest through the Greek underworld, each embodying a hero from Greek mythology, each with their own task to complete. 4 shows between the hours of 10 AM- 4:30 pm [advance reservations required]

July 28, 3GT Investigates: Birth Rights:
3GT's new investigative theater team (writers Jennifer Lynne Roberts, Nia Fairweather and Linda Giron) shares a harrowing work-in-progress that explores the current administration's war on the reproductive rights of undocumented teens at the border. Long-time partner, NARAL Pro-Choice America will lead a panel discussion with activists in the field about what can be done to counter the attacks. 7:30 pm

July 29, 3GT Innovators Series: Lost Chinatowns:
Writer/dancer/performance artist Cynthia Ling Leepresents Lost Chinatowns, a multimedia dance-theater work-in-progress exploring the vibrancy and eventual disappearance of Santa Cruz's Chinatowns from 1860-1955. 3:00 pm

July 29, 3GT Innovators Series: Triple Maven:
Bowstring's fantastical, non-linear work-in-progress Triple Maven is inspired by the true story of three teenage siblings in the 1850's who, to save the family farm, tour the country by steam train as dancers. 7:30 pm

July 30, Staged Reading: Hudson's Wife by Susan Jackson:
Ambition reigns in this provocative Hollywood drama about betrayal, secrets, and love. After Rock Hudson dies, a writer determined to learn the truth about her marriage pursues his reclusive ex-wife. (Salon Series Finalist) 7:30 pm

July 31, Staged Reading: 'Tasha by Cat Brooks:
One-woman show loosely based on the 2015 in-custody murder of Natasha McKenna, a 38-year old woman living with schizophrenia, in the Fairfax County Virginia Jail-a compelling examination of the intersection of race, gender, mental health and policing. (Salon Series Finalist) 7:30 pm

August 1, Dramatists Guild Town Hall:
Join the SF chapter of Dramatists Guild for a lively discussion, led by Bay Area rep (and 3GT co-founder), Suze Allen on what it means to be a playwright in the bubble. Do we have a responsibility to write about the issues rather than just tell stories? 7:30 pm

August 2, Bursting the Bubble: Six Views:
An evening of linked staged readings on the festival's theme by a dynamic crew of women playwrights-prepare for a roller-coaster ride of "bubble" responses from emotional to scary to just plain hysterically funny. Written by Madeleine Butler, Marie Cartier, Elizabeth Flanagan, Andrea J. Love, Jenny McAllister, Eteya Trinidad and AJ Baker and directed by Erin Gilley. 7:30 pm

August 3, Best of LezWrites! Showcase:
3GT resident playwright Margery Kreitman curates an evening of greatest hits from the last five years of this always sold-out showcase of short, humorous pieces written/performed by LBTQ writers. 7:30 pm

August 4, 3GT Champagne Double Feature Day:
Join the Festival judges for one last chance to see staged readings of the Salon Series Finalists, 'Tasha by Cat Brooks and Hudson's Wife by Susan Jackson as they vie for the annual Festival Prize for best script of the 2017-2018 Season (See July 30 and July 31 above for more info). Between readings, raise a glass in honor of all the talented women playwrights at the Festival and help us welcome 3GT's 2018-2019 Brady Fellows. 1-4:30 pm with readings @1pm and 3 pm; champagne reception between shows at 2:30 pm

August 4, 3GT Innovators Series: Two Coins for the Ferryman:
This reprise of Liar Liar's Two Coins for the Ferryman will send six audience members on an immersive quest through the Greek underworld, each embodying a hero from Greek mythology, each with their own task to complete. 4 shows between the hours of 1:30 to 6:00 pm [advance reservations required]

August 5, GirlWrights in Performance:
An afternoon of staged readings (by professional actors) of short works created by the teens in the festival's free summer playwriting workshop. Girls from around the City share their stories, hopes and dreams through the magic of theatre. Directed by 3GT associate artist Mary Powelsonin partnership with the Salesian Boys & Girls Club of North Beach.