by LouJ Stalsworth
directed by Sharon Cook

Widower Ray Calabria battles 42 years of haunting memories as he nears the sale of his house to a young couple who, that same day, must make a life-shaping decision of their own. This is a love story of then and now.

“Boxes of Someday” is told alternately in real time and as a memory play during which promises are made ~ some kept, others put away and forgotten, only to be remembered too late to be kept. The play is funny at times, tearful at others, and it is likely the story someone we know has already experienced, or one which we will eventually live ourselves.

Each reading is presented twice during the 2 weeks of Proteus Festival. Audiences are given the opportunity to rate the plays via a survey focused on the elements writing an engaging script and story. Ratings are averaged to select the PNPF Audience Favorite. The Audience Favorite receives a workshop production 2-week run in November, as the second Curtain Up! New Plays Series play of the 23-24 season.

VIEW THE FULL PROTEUS LINEUP

NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY

David R. Goode Charitable Lead Annuity Trust
The Shubert Foundation
Clyde Santana and Valli Meeks
City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission

PROTEUS FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY

by P.A.Wray
directed by Sharon Cook

When Frances, wife of General George Henry Thomas, a strategic winning general in the Civil War, finds out her now ailing and harassed husband has agreed to meet with a journalist with unknown motives, her protective instincts and suspicions go into overdrive, putting undue stress on her husband, and a bill at risk for passing. A bill that would protect the right to vote for Black Freedmen in the South – something her husband had fought hard to protect but failed.
——-
The Proteus New Plays Festival showcases community-driven staged readings of 4 scripts that have been developed in the Z Playwrights Lab or by Z Artist Members. The staged readings give the playwrights an opportunity to work with a director and a volunteer cast to see their script “on its feet” for the first time, and add the most crucial element to developing a play, The Audience!

Each reading is presented twice during the 2 weeks of Proteus Festival. Audiences are given the opportunity to rate the plays via a survey focused on the elements writing an engaging script and story. Ratings are averaged to select the PNPF Audience Favorite. The Audience Favorite receives a workshop production 2-week run in November, as the second Curtain Up! New Plays Series play of the 23-24 season.

Meet your fellow artists at The Z for a night of networking, giveaways, and great food from Nando's! Learn about ways to audition at local theaters, tools to share your arts news with the community, and win prizes and free tickets from arts groups across the 757. FREE and open to all performers, creators, artists, and arts leaders! Artist Member Events: The Z Artists and local art-lovers are invited to this series of interactive workshops, Master Classes, and social hours aimed at cultivating creativity and community! Your creative spark starts here! BECOME A Z ARTIST HERE

Top talents present a one-night-only cabaret of Broadway’s future hits! Featuring exclusive first performances of songs from our Spring 2024 Mainstage Curtain Up! Musical, and culminating in a Broadway Jam sesh with sign-ups at the door!*

A Pay What You Can Event

*Early Sign-Up for Z Artist Members

Fund your arts career throught grants! Learn the ins and outs of the application process from those well-versed in the process: Hillary Plate & Rita Cohen.

Time to care for yourself! As artists we are especially vulnerable and need to carve out time for our emotional and mental well being. Join us as Lynn Gilbert, creator of Sounds of Evensong, an immersive sound and vibration healing practice, leads a healing vibration session for us to experience together. Then learn about the programs and resources supporting mental health available through NAMI Coastal Virginia (National Alliance on Mental Illness).