Underground Theatre FestivalVenue: Grandon Studio

Written by: Various

This play festival culminates in two weekends of staged readings and fully-staged productions of original works by playwrights from or residing in the state of Iowa.

 

 Scroll down to see descriptions of each play in our Festival, as well as our performance schedule and links to buy tickets.

 

 

 

Thursday, November 3^rd

7:30 pm

 

Ethical Dilemma of a Sandwich Down the Pants by Kelly Shriver Kolln

Directed by Emmy Lane Palmersheim

At a convenience store near Harvard University, an exhausted Teaching Assistant witnesses a man attempting to steal a sandwich by hiding it in his shorts.  The cashier recovers it, then throws it back into the cooler.  The  other people in line wait to see who will purchase the sandwich, and an ethical dilemma ensues.

 

 

Truth or Consequences by Ryan Rausch

Directed by Mary Sullivan

It is the eve of Charlotte’s marriage to her fourth husband.  In what should be a pleasant gathering, a storm in on the horizon, confining this unconventional family for the night.  The secrets exposed and confessions unveiled will force this New Mexican clan to question their morals, beliefs, and allegiances to each other.

 

 

Friday, November 4^th

7:30 pm

 

Ethical Dilemma of a Sandwich Down the Pants by Kelly Shriver Kolln

Directed by Emmy Lane Palmersheim

At a convenience store near Harvard University, an exhausted Teaching Assistant witnesses a man attempting to steal a sandwich by hiding it in his shorts. The cashier recovers it, then throws it back into the cooler.  The other people in line wait to see who will purchase the sandwich, and an ethical dilemma ensues.

 

 

Truth or Consequences by Ryan Rausch

Directed by Mary Sullivan

It is the eve of Charlotte’s marriage to her fourth husband.  In what should be a pleasant gathering, a storm in on the horizon, confining this unconventional family for the night.  The secrets exposed and confessions unveiled will force this New Mexican clan to question their morals, beliefs, and allegiances to each other.

 

 Saturday, November 5^th

Staged Reading Day – all on one ticket

 

11:00 am

The Almighty Dollar by David Patterson

Directed by Justin Braden

A dark comedy about the crash of the American dollar.  Two roommates, Ben and George, decide to become opportunists during the crisis and learn much about themselves and the American way of life.

 

2 pm

These Days by Erica Jo Hoye

Directed by Erica Jo Hoye

Kelly is the student and Nathan is the professor. These Days looks at how that difference in power and age can affect a relationship and those in and around it.

 

5 pm

Failing Evolution by Sarah M. Jarmon

Directed by Mary Sullivan

Rich, pretty Fiona is a little afraid of Shaun, the hard-edged teenager she was hired to tutor.  But the girls soon find they have more in common than they could have possibly imagined.  And Shaun needs help with a lot more than her homework.

 

 

Sunday, November 6^th

2:30 pm

 

Nirvana by Lin Kemp

Directed by Justin Braden

A man who obsessively views his entire universe through a pair of binoculars discovers that the nation’s President –  who has never been seen – is literally being kept alive by an array of special interests. In a deceitful move to quiet him, the government offers him the job of the Presidency itself – but he’s told that, before ascending to office, he must first pass “The Test.” Can he successfully pass that test? And what will happen if he does?

 

Broken Branches by Brian Tanner

Directed by Jenny Rammelsberg

A romantic comedy – with a splash of science fiction – that explores a larger question:  Are we free to make the choices that we make, or are there other forces pulling the strings?  Broken Branches takes on modern dating, family trees, and quantum physics in this light-hearted look at relationships.

 

Thursday, November 10^th

7:30 pm

 

Nirvana by Lin Kemp

Directed by Justin Braden

A man who obsessively views his entire universe through a pair of binoculars discovers that the nation’s President –  who has never been seen – is literally being kept alive by an array of special interests. In a deceitful move to quiet him, the government offers him the job of the Presidency itself – but he’s told that, before ascending to office, he must first pass “The Test.” Can he successfully pass that test? And what will happen if he does?

 

Broken Branches by Brian Tanner

Directed by Jenny Rammelsberg

A romantic comedy – with a splash of science fiction – that explores a larger question:  Are we free to make the choices that we make, or are there other forces pulling the strings?  Broken Branches takes on modern dating, family trees, and quantum physics in this light-hearted look at relationships.

 

Friday, November 11^th

7:30 pm

 

The End of the Affair by James Grob

Directed by Jay Burken

Shelly believes that Hank wants to have an affair with her.  When the two co-workers find themselves alone on a business trip, Shelly tries to push things along by taking matters into her own hands – and lips – much to Hank’s surprise and dismay.  A spirited discussion about forbidden inter-office romance follows.

 

The Summerland Project by Rob Merritt

Directed by Rob Merritt

Desperate to save his dying wife, Carter Summerland signs her over to a revolutionary procedure that places her brain in an artificial body.  But is the result really his wife? Or is it something else entirely? The Summerland Project asks where the line is between human and artificial – and whether it’s right to cross that line.

 

Saturday, November 12^th

2:30 pm

The End of the Affair by James Grob

Directed by Jay Burken

Shelly believes that Hank wants to have an affair with her.  When the two co-workers find themselves alone on a business trip, Shelly tries to push things along by taking matters into her own hands – and lips – much to Hank’s surprise and dismay.  A spirited discussion about forbidden inter-office romance follows.

 

The Summerland Project by Rob Merritt

Directed by Rob Merritt

Desperate to save his dying wife, Carter Summerland signs her over to a revolutionary procedure that places her brain in an artificial body.  But is the result really his wife? Or is it something else entirely? The Summerland Project asks where the line is between human and artificial – and whether it’s right to cross that line.

 

Saturday, November 12^th

7:30 pm

Symetry by Mike Wilhelm

Directed by Jay Burken

A mother’s roles evolves from caretaker, to independent adult, to helplessness, to death.  This mirrors her son’s evolution from unborn, to helplessness, to independent adult, to caretaker.  Using the device of wishing upon a shiny new penny in each scene, the play’s scenes are symmetrical and echo each other as these new roles evolve.

 

Escape from the Underworld by Erica Jo Hoye

Directed by Erica Jo Hoye

Jocelyn came to the Underworld eight years ago and hasn’t had it too bad.  Her roommate is Pocahontas, her best friend is Persephone and she left her annoying younger sister back in the living world.  Now her sister has arrived, a hippie has befriended her, and she’s in trouble with the rulers of the Underworld.

 

Sunday, November 13^th

2:30 pm

Symetry by Mike Wilhelm

Directed by Jay Burken

A mother’s role evolves from caretaker, to independent adult, to helplessness, to death.  This mirrors her son’s evolution from unborn, to helplessness, to independent adult, to caretaker.  Using the device of wishing upon a shiny new penny in each scene, the play’s scenes are symmetrical and echo each other as these new roles evolve.

 

Escape from the Underworld by Erica Jo Hoye

Directed by Erica Jo Hoye

Jocelyn came to the Underworld eight years ago and hasn’t had it too bad.  Her roommate is Pocahontas, her best friend is Persephone and she left her annoying younger sister back in the living world.  Now her sister has arrived, a hippie has befriended her, and she’s in trouble with the rulers of the Underworld.