TCR’s annual Underground New Play Festival will be held August 8 – 18, 2019. This year’s submissions reflect the theme “Out There: Science, Technology, Fantasy and Humanity” and will feature Rob Merritt’s Aurora, (a follow-up to The Summerland Project), directed by Katy Hahn.
AUDITIONS AND DIRECTOR SELECTION
- Director applications due: June 7th, 2019
- Please email angie.toomsen@theatrecr.org
- Attach your directing resume or a brief summary of theater experience.
- Provide a paragraph or two explaining why directing new work interests you, what you hope to bring to the presentation of new work, and how you might work with actors and the author(s).
- Please state any preferences including a preferred script length (10-min, or a longer one-act) and if you would like to be considered to direct multiple scripts.
- Please state any major conflicts you have between auditions and the festival. Major = “I am out of town these two weeks.” We don’t need daily conflicts.
- This is a volunteer position
- Directors announced: June 14th, 2019
- Underground actor auditions June 30th and July 1st, 2019
- More information about what to expect at auditions to come soon!
- 2019 Underground New Play Festival August 8 – 18, 2019
2019 Official Festival Selections
This year’s plays and playwrights have been workshopping their scripts with expert playwriting mentors and are currently in the process of making revisions to their scripts. Available directing opportunities include:
- Again, I’m You by Dylan Cooley
- Black Box, An Adoption Story by Zhen E. Rammelsberg
- Classic Cage by Francis Bass
- Duncan by William “Billo” O’Loughlin
- Genesis Project by Erica Jo Lloyd
- The Gerrig Problem by Mike Miersen
- Hello, Friend by David Scanlon
- One by Grant Freeman
- Seasons Don’t Fear the Reaper by Brian Tanner
- The EULA by Brian Tanner
- The Revolution Will Not Be Instagrammed by Duane Larson
- The Battle of Ulunaduhaunal by Mike Miersen
- We Can Be Heroes by Zachary Johnson
2018/19 Theme and Play Development Focus
Festival includes one-acts addressing the theme “Out There: Science, Technology, Fantasy and Humanity.” We are interested in writers’ creative takes on the ways technology, science, and the mysterious or fantastical reveal who we are – and who we could be. This can mean something simple and relate-able, a comment about our world today, or taking on the big questions about what it means to be human, and more. The key to success is making even the most outrageous, fantastical, galaxial ideas and scenarios ultimately feel like they are about being human. Another way to think about it: “science fiction plays with a heart!”
Part of the festival is also a focus on development of the script. After script selection, writers have received feedback and assistance from area playwriting teachers/mentors in further developing plays for production. The Underground team, with new work development consultant, Cavan Hallman, will provide feedback and resources to help make sure writers’ intentions with the piece come through loud and clear on the page. When it’s clear on the page, it’s ready to grow in the hands of a director and performers.