Art that pushes the envelope is taking over The Z this April. The Z, Zeiders American Dream Theater, located in Virginia Beach Town Center, has selected more than 30 new pieces of theater, dance, and performance art to create a weekend of adventurous works on stage.

“Monologues and new plays are just the tip of the iceberg,” said The Z’s Marketing Director, Jessi DiPette. “We are really looking forward to seeing new pieces of dance, magic, improv and a range of theatrical works.”

Productions range from 15-90 minutes, and the festival will truly be taking over The Z’s building.

“While a new horror play is performing on the studio stage, we will have a dance performance on the mainstage, and a musician playing on our terrace!” said DiPette.

“It’s really an immersive arts experience that caters to a wide range of interests.” Selected works range from “Black Girl Magic”, a popular cabaret directed by Sharon Cook of Hurrah Players, to “Traumedy”, a poetry and comedy piece by Roscoe Burnems.

In addition to debuting their new works in The Z’s state-of-the-art facilities with full tech support, performers will receive a share of the ticket sales.

“Our mission at The Z is really to support and uplift emerging artists in the area, and the Fringe Festival really gives us an opportunity to put a spotlight on the new, edgy pieces that might not be given a chance at your average theater,” said DiPette.

Want to go? The Z Fringe Festival debut at The Zeiders American Dream Theater April 7-8, 2023. 1 and 2-day all-access passes, and one-show tickets are available now online at thez.org/zfringe, or by calling the box office at 757-499-0317. Zeiders American Dream Theater is located at 4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Zeiders American Dream Theater is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.

LICENSE & REGISTRATION Written by Kanya Edmonds and Niylah Mascall
Produced and Directed by Kanya Edmonds
*This casting call is for a one-act performance on Friday, April 7th*

Plot summary:
Two teenage friends, heading home one evening, must face the realities of society and their personal differences for the very first time when they are being stopped by the police.

Characters:
Nia: 17, female, African American. Reserved but passionate- likes to have fun. She is responsible and never gets in trouble. Cecilia compliments her personality well.

Cecilia: 17, female, Caucasian or non-black. Energetic and carefree. She and Nia have been best friends since freshman year. Not the best student academic-wise, but intelligent in her own way.

If interested, please fill out the form below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIv4QQB7jbCyj0hVKLiYYvdxoiw9wDr38Gl9aQJ63q8gnClA/viewform?usp=sharing

And Email 1-minute monologue of your choosing to: Kanyale5@yahoo.com

PRIMING THE PUMP By Jean Klein

Looking for actors (2) M or F, age range variable – approximately 25 – 50,  for a 20-minute play, Priming the Pump. 

Fight for Life is a seedy “talk show’ which relies on the “Rage Room” school of therapy. As audiences have demand bigger and better arenas for, their ratings have begun to fall. The host, Burt Solomon, is looking at what may be his last hosting job. He has to keep the anger going. Two bodyguards chant periodically to rouse the audience’s rage.

When he hears from Grace Truman, a retiring, emotionally abused wife, he thinks he has found the perfect vehicle for the audience to identify with. And he plans a special twist for this guest, who seems compliant beyond belief. Will Burt’s strategy work or will Grace find another solution only she could have thought of.

Roles are Bodyguards in a Jerry-Springer-like talk show. Few lines, and lots of interaction with the audience. Performance on April 8, 7:20 PM at Zeiders American Dream Theater (The Z)  in Virginia Beach.

If interested, contact Jean at info@bluemoonplays.com with a headshot and brief bio.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (February 23, 2023) – A young Elvis impersonator learns that change is not necessarily a drag and other valuable life lessons in this heart-warming comedy The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew Lopez. The production runs from March 10 – April 2 at the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach.

Casey, a young man in Florida is down on his luck. He’s young, he’s broke, his landlord’s knocking at the door, and he’s just found out his wife is going to have a baby. To make matters even more desperate, Casey is fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small-town bar. When the bar owner brings in a B-level drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business—and himself.

Performances run from March 10 – April 2 and are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. Adult tickets start at $20; Senior, Military, and Student tickets start at $17 and children under 12 start at $9. Tickets are non-refundable, but may be exchanged for another performance of the same show (subject to availability) up to one hour before your scheduled show.

There will be a special performance on Thursday, March 16 at 8pm to raise funds for Hampton Roads Pride and LGTB Life Center. The evening will include a pre-show reception with complimentary champagne, snacks and a silent auction. Tickets are $25 each.

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About Little Theatre of Virginia Beach

Little Theatre of Virginia Beach is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that has been bringing live theatre to the community since 1948. Our mission is to educate and to provide our community with quality live theatrical experiences at affordable prices while developing and showcasing local talent. Little Theatre of Virginia Beach is located just six blocks from the oceanfront on the corner of 24th Street and Barberton Drive and easily accessible to Interstate 264. For more information, call 757-428-9233 or visit ltvb.com.

The Z (Zeiders American Dream Theater) is excited to announce the return of the internationally renowned Vocal Jazz Summit.

The Vocal Jazz Summit brings together emerging and established artists, industry leaders, and vocal jazz fans for a unique, intensive weekend dedicated to performance, connection, and education. The festival offers audiences the chance to see leading artists in the jazz world at The Z’s state of the art and intimate performance space. 

“The energy and community of the VJS is infectious!” said Festival Producer Liz Terrell. “It  is something every singer should experience in-person.”

Past performers include 2023’s GRAMMY-Award winning “Best New Artist”, Samara Joy, along with Kurt Elling, René Marie, and Cyrille Aimée.

Joy’s own vocal instructor, jazz vocalist Alexis Cole, artistically leads the festival with Terrell. The pair have curated a robust schedule of workshops and masterclasses alongside nightly performances and jam sessions.

Vocal Jazz Summit pass holders will be able to attend performances, panels, and workshops from some of Jazz’s biggest names. Jane Monheit headlines the 2023 Festival with a Friday night performance, and Saturday night features a one-of-a-kind teacher’s showcase with GRAMMY-Nominated Artist Kate McGarry, Greta Matassa, and Brianna Thomas. 

“The teacher showcase is electric! It is very rare to see such big names in vocal jazz perform alongside one another in one jam-packed weekend,” said Terrell of the 2023 lineup. 

Attendees will have the chance to show off their own voices and perform alongside Johnny O’Neal and his trio at the Saturday night jam session. Ending the weekend on a high note, Sheila Jordan closes the Vocal Jazz Summit with a performance featuring famed duo partner Cameron Brown on bass. 

For a limited time, attendees can take advantage of early bird ticket prices, and receive $100 off their all-access festival passes. Early bird passes are priced at just $175, and include access to all festival events, workshops, performances, and networking. The sale runs through March 15, 2023. Virtual Passes are also available for $75. 

This year, The Z is proud to partner with the Virginia Beach Town Center Westin Hotel for specially discounted hotel rooms. Vocal Jazz Summit attendees can book their rooms with a 50% discount, and enjoy lodging for the festival within walking distance.  

Vocal Jazz Summit runs Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25, 2023. For tickets, lodging, and a full list of events, workshops and sessions, visit www.vocaljazzsummit.org 

Zeiders American Dream Theater is located at 4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach,  VA 23462 

Zeiders American Dream Theater is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach  through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. Additional contributing sponsors include Audacy and Mitsa Group  

ABOUT ZEIDERS AMERICAN DREAM THEATER 

Zeiders American Dream Theater, known as The Z, is a professional, non-profit performing arts  company whose mission is to provide a wide range of highly entertaining artistic experiences to  the community by fostering and introducing new works and exceptionally gifted artists in all areas of the performing arts. The Z is a community hub for celebrating creative growth and entertainment. With intimate performance spaces and unique programming that generates an exciting connection between the performer and the audience, The Z inspires audiences and performers alike to tap into their own creative spark, unleash their dreams, and achieve their full potential. 

www.thez.org 

ABOUT ALEXIS COLE – FESTIVAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR  

A dozen albums into her career, vocalist Alexis Cole is hitting her stride. As a sought after international performer, she’s appeared with her trio, with whom she both plays piano and sings,  and is a frequent guest with big bands and pops orchestras. She’s the director of the Jazz Vocal program at the SUNY Purchase College conservatory and William Paterson University, the  founder and director of the online educational community JazzVoice.com, and the cofounder and artistic director of the Virginia Beach Vocal Jazz Summit. 

www.alexiscole.com 

ABOUT LIZ TERRELL- FESTIVAL PRODUCER

Liz Terrell has been a part of The Zeiders American Dream Theater team since 2015 and currently serves as the Music and Community Series Producer after having worn many hats as the Company Manager, Artistic Associate, and Bookkeeper. When not working behind the scenes at The Z you can find her on stage performing as one of Virginia’s most sought after  jazz vocalists. Over the past decade, Terrell’s musical career has navigated through the performance spectrum, ranging from musical theater and cabaret to touring Europe in a gospel ensemble until she found herself firmly planted in jazz. Her latest album “It’s All Right With Me” was met with critical acclaim and a warm welcome into the jazz world.

www.lizterrell.com 

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The Z and VEER Magazine Bring the Ambient Music Scene to VB This January Virginia Beach – Ambient music takes the center stage at The Z this January, in a special showcase for a genre often overlooked.

At the new Ambient Music Showcase, three ambient music composers will be featured in a new event as part of the Live at The Z Music series, in partnership with the Zeiders American Dream Theater and VEER Magazine.

“We have a number of uniquely talented, independent ambient music recording artists in the 757 region that often get overlooked due to the nature of their musical focus. I thought a showcase performance featuring three of the composers would be an ideal way for an audience to “experience” their work,” said Jeff Maisey, Editor of VEER Magazine, which publishes the annual VEER Music Awards.

Maisey and VEER keep a pulse on the Hampton Roads music scene, and its undiscovered emerging artists, and a partnership with The Z is helping to bring live performance opportunities to this underserved community.

The design and audio/visual aspects of Zeiders American Dream Theater provide an equally unique environment to optimally experience such music in an intimate setting.

“Ambient music creates an experience for the audience and when you pair the excitement and wonder of live composition with stunning visual displays it is truly a one-of-a-kind,” said The Z’s Music Series Producer Liz Terrell, “The Z is the perfect venue to showcase these 3 artists in their element.”

For this concert, the artists were given complete freedom to pair the production elements that The Z’s mainstage theater provides with new original compositions, creating an experience unlike other “traditional” concert experiences.

“Expect the music, paired with the visual component, to evocatively set and explore a mood,” said Maisey, “The sky — galaxy — really is the limit.”

Want to go? Ambient Music Showcase, January 20, 2023 at 7:30pm. GET TICKETS