SMU and NYC’s Theatre East Present New Student Plays
“Wet Ink Series” showcases seven works by Meadows theatre students
Following their successful collaboration in November, Theatre East, a New York City-based Off-Broadway theatre company, and the Division of Theatre at SMU Meadows School of the Arts are again partnering to virtually produce the “Wet Ink Series,” Part II, featuring new plays by student theatre artists. The series of readings will be held March 22 and 23 and will include seven new short plays with mixed casts of students and professional actors. The new plays are inspired by the theme “Change takes courage.”
“In 2021, Americans are tasked to look to our present and to move into our future,” said Gretchen Smith, chair of SMU’s Theatre Division. “How can we be fearless and bold as we embrace and use lessons in social justice and social activism in order to dismantle systemic exclusion and oppression? How can we demonstrate courage with ourselves and others to create inclusive, positive change?”
The partnership offers the college students the rare opportunity to write roles for a variety of characters and see them performed by age-appropriate actors. It also allows the Texas-based students the chance to form a connection with a New York City professional theatre ahead of their graduation. Tickets are free and open to the public.
The March 22 performance will showcase three 10-minute plays written by juniors, and the March 23 performance will feature four 15-minute plays written by seniors. The program will include:
March 22nd, 7pm CT / 8pm ET
- EDEN MINING CO. by Anthony Gaetjen, directed by Daniel Hasse. Featuring Alysia Giakkoumas, Savier Losornio & Kate Rose.
- BROTHER'S KEEPER by Brady White, directed by Jenna Burnett. Featuring Oliver Palmer, Sami Habib & Christa Kimlicko Jones.
- WE FIGHT OUR OWN BATTLES by Dalton Glenn, directed by Judson Jones. Featuring Ben Stegmair & Ben Dawson.
March 23rd, 7pm CT / 8pm ET
- I WILL ONLY WRITE THIS ONCE by Isa Muiño, directed by Shaun Bennet Fauntleroy. Featuring Kayla Earl & Joshelyn Hawkins.
- GOODBYE, WORLD by Josh LeBlanc, directed by Mac Welsh. Featuring Debra Wassum & Lyon Hamill.
- WEDNESDAY 8/7c by Shyama Nithiananda, directed by D. Wambui Richardson. Featuring Melanie Peterman & Cam Frontain.
- INSTRUCTIONS by Stakiah Washington, directed by Melissa Maxwell. Featuring Crystal Tigney & Coda Boyce.
Since the closing of theatre spaces due to the global pandemic, Theatre East has produced several successful online readings and productions, including most recently PROCESSING... by Petra Brusiloff and their popular 5x5 Drama Series, which was livestreamed via Facebook and had over 30,000 views. The move to virtual performance has further expanded accessibility for Theatre East’s audience and given them a reputation for excellence in this new medium.
To register to watch the livestreaming performance on March 22, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_icM8EGSMT4m_ws0tAfafug; for March 23 registration, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JFMvdPKzQ8WeFfC_U8J-Uw. For more information call 214-768-2787.