Theatre Studies New Works Project

Theatre Studies New Works Project is a space for stories students desire to tell and ideas they are curious about exploring. This biennial project nurtures the relationship between the playwright, the dramaturg and the director in shaping new stories. This year we offer three different experiences for our students and our audiences.

First, an ensemble of students devise (create a new piece from scratch) together. On day one of rehearsal, there is a blank page. Actors, designers, and stage managers influence the direction of the piece as much as the playwright. Here, the focus is on the improvisation and the actors’ characterizations with little emphasis on tech other than what is essential. The playfulness of the process of exploring, making, and editing together is at its core.

CLOSE is an exploration of how we know others and are known in our cultural moment; devised by an ensemble, featuring both short scenes and variety acts.

Next, we have a traditional reading of a new, student-written play. This experience offers the young playwright an opportunity to workshop the story. There are edits and rewrites and multiple versions of the script as they shape the piece with the dramaturg and the director. Here, the focus is on the text and structure, a step in readying the piece for full production.

A DANCE IN THE DARK is about an aging New York City ballerina who comes to a crossroad in her life just as a terrible secret threatens to unravel her career, relationships, and sense of self. 
CONTENT WARNING: sexual assault, domestic abuse, pregnancy, alcohol abuse, marijuana use, slurs about women, vulgar language, female objectification, emotional abuse, discussions of violent erotica

We round out this year’s project with a semi-staged, lightly designed play that has already gone through several drafts and is itching for a robust rehearsal and design process. With few changes to the text, the focus shifts to “how” to tell the story. This piece offers a glimpse of what a full production could be.

VALIENTE – After losing a memento from her late mother, Valentina recalls a difficult time in her life where she struggled to find her purpose and embrace her Latinidad. Valentina delves into her memories and watches as her younger self, Val, struggles to cope with the looming threat of her imminent future and uses poetry as a means of escape from her own mind.

We are incredibly proud of the passion and effort the students have poured into this project. It is lovely to watch them take the reins and fly.
—Latrelle Bright

Thursday, 2/16, 7:30pm: Close, by Lucy Laplaca
Dramaturg, M. Landon
Director, Sophia Urban

Friday, 2/17, 7:30pm: A Dance in the Dark, by Gina Maggio
Dramaturg, M. Landon
Director, Julie Oelerich

Saturday, 2/18, 7:30pm: Valiente, by Meliza Guitierrez
Dramaturg, Anishi Patel
Director, Anna Kolaczkowski-Magee

May contain adult content.