Orlando Shakespeare Theater Announces Titles For PlayFest

ORLANDO, Fla. - Sept. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF dares audiences to take a risk on new plays at PlayFest from November 1 - 3, 2014. Presented by Harriett’s Charitable Trust, the fast-paced weekend is packed with lively discussions, engaging playwright panels, and new play readings, along with a keynote speech from playwright Mark St. Germain (Freud’s Last Session and The Best of Enemies)​. This season’s event marks the twelfth festival of new plays at the Theater. Tickets to individual PlayFest readings ($8) will be available to the general public on Tuesday, September 30. PlayFest Festival Passes are on sale now, and may be purchased by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street.

The 2014 PlayFest lineup promises a collection of groundbreaking new plays, including Dancing Lessons by Keynote Speaker Mark St. Germain. St. Germain’s The Best of Enemies, based on the novel by Osha Gray Davidson, will play concurrently as part of Orlando Shakes’ Signature Series from October 15 - November 16, 2014 in the Goldman Theater. Playwrights Steve Yockey and Rob Keefe, whose plays Pluto (Rolling World Premiere) and The Cortez Method (World Premiere) were produced as part of Harriett’s New Play Series last season, will showcase two new works, Blackberry Winter and All That is Seen and Unseen. Also included in the festival are readings of Gloucester Blue by Israel Horovitz, There Be Dragons by Aleshea Harris, Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven by Reina Hardy (Glassheart, PlayFest Reading 2009 & Workshop 2011), and Moses, The Author by Andrew R. Heinze (The Invention of the Living Room, PlayFest Reading 2011).

“As PlayFest grows each season, it’s very encouraging to see the Orlando community embracing these cutting-edge new plays,” said Director of New Play Development Mark Routhier. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with brand new festival participants and fostering the work of returning PlayFest playwrights.”

PlayFest is a nationally recognized program, representing one of the strongest commitments to new plays in the United States. Since it’s inception in 2003, PlayFest has helped nurture and develop over 100 new plays – many of which have received subsequent productions in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Audience favorites from PlayFest are hand-selected and developed into full productions in the Theater’s Signature Season.

PLAYFEST FESTIVAL PASS
A PlayFest Festival Pass offers admission into all seven readings for $35. To purchase a Festival Pass, call the Box Office at (407) 447-1700 ext. 1 or visit us online at www.orlandoshakes.org.

PLAYFEST PATRON
PlayFest Patrons receive an all-access pass to PlayFest readings, reserved seating, a private event with the playwrights, and recognition for their special contribution in programs, curtain speeches, Orlando Shakespeare Theater's website, and more! For more information, contact the Director of Development at (407) 447-1700 ext. 206 or emaildevelopment@orlandoshakes.org.

The Best of Enemies is presented in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida through the generosity of Valerie and Jim Shapiro. A special performance of The Best of Enemies, sponsored by Solomon F. Schick & Associates and Orlando Hard Rock Café, will take place on October 26, 2014 at 7:30 p.m., with all proceeds benefitting the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida. Tickets to the special performance, as well as all other performances are available by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1 or visiting www.orlandoshakes.org.

PlayFest is made possible through the generous support of Harriett’s Charitable Trust, and Frank Santos and Dan Dantin.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.