1PM: You Have to Hear What I Hear by Ernest A. White, Jr. – Directed by Patrick Mullins, Asst Director: Jackie Adonis
3PM: A World of Flaws by Frederick Silvers – Directed by Patrick Mullins, Asst Director: Jackie Adonis
6PM: Riding The Bubble Bus by Kendra Louka – Directed by Leila Stephanie, Asst. Director: Maryanne Kiley
8PM: Peace of Still by Sherilynn Cherry – Directed by Leila Stephanie, Asst. Director: Maryanne Kiley

The Proteus New Plays Festival showcases 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 Proteus Festival. Audiences have the opportunity to rate the plays via a survey focused on the elements of 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 June, closing out our 24-25 Curtain Up! New Plays Series.

VIEW THE FULL PROTEUS LINEUP

The Proteus New Plays Festival Audience has voted…and your votes are in! Your winner for the Proteus Audience Favorite Award is back for an extended 2-week run! The highest-rated play from the 2022 Festival returns in a full-scale production in our intimate Studio Theater, as part of the Curtain Up! New Plays Series. #TheaterStartsHere

“Likker Outta Control, Busting Arlena Cartwright” Story by Clyde Santana, Stage Play By Clyde Santana and Buddy White

Directed by Jason Kypros

A Harvard-educated, moonshine-selling Mayor of a small, rural southern township clashes with a recently reassigned ABC Agent Supervisor, a Northerner from the big city, while her crew plans a 100-year birthday party for Aunt Baby Sis Cartwright, the town’s matriarch who is an American Hero and known to make the best illegal Moonshine in the state, and the Agent’s hell-bent on busting her.

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.
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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.

Riding The Bubble Bus
by Kendra Louka
Directed by Leila Stephanie, Asst. Director: Maryanne Kiley
A doubtful high school graduate finds a magical crown which freezes time when he wears it, but as much as he wants to keep it on to stop his friends from moving away, he’s given keys to the open road.

The Proteus New Plays Festival showcases 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 Proteus Festival. Audiences have the opportunity to rate the plays via a survey focused on the elements of 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 June, closing out our 24-25 Curtain Up! New Plays Series.

Learn from folk song duo Cindy and Shelly in this earth-friendly, environmental awareness program that teaches students about habitats, environments, biology, recycling, and conservation. The interactive program includes original tunes like “It Really isn’t Garbage,” “Bebop,” and “Someone’s Gonna Use it After You.” Children and families will enjoy this fun program celebrating our planet.

Presented in partnership with Arts for Learning and the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. 

Cindy Kays and Shelly Potter have performed together for more than two decades as a children’s musical duo. Using stringed and percussion instruments, puppets, and props, Cindy and Shelly encourage students to participate with hand motions and singing. Their repertoire ranges from traditional and contemporary folk songs to original songs. Their four CD releases have all been awarded Parents’ Choice Awards for excellence in children’s music, a national honor.

Additional program support is provided by Arts Alliance, Helen G. Gifford Foundation, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts.

—————————————————————————————————————————Photos and/or videos may be taken of adults and children at performances and used for promotional purposes, which may include social media, web, and print.

From “Anansi the Spider” to “Brer Rabbit,” traditional slave tales have hidden meanings that serve to educate and celebrate African American history. Storyteller Dylan Pritchett brings the early days of slavery to life through these tales that are wound tightly with themes of family strength and morals as well as lessons that teach about character and survival.

Dylan Pritchett shares his folktales with thousands of children and adults throughout the country, with positive messages that cross cultural boundaries. As the past president of the National Association of Black Storytellers, Dylan is dedicated to passing on the rich oral tradition of storytelling. In addition to live performances, Dylan has produced narration and served as a performer and consultant for a number of broadcast documentaries, including the PBS program, “View from the Mountaintop,” the Thomas Jefferson biography.

Presented in partnership with the Virginia African American Cultural Center and Arts for Learning. Free performance is provided through The Z Ticket Bank, special thanks to sponsorship from Virginia African American Cultural Center.

Additional program support is provided by Arts Alliance, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts.

Photos and/or videos may be taken of adults and children at performances and used for promotional purposes, which may include social media, web, and print

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Family Time: The Z and community partners present a full season of original tales and family favorites in fun, engaging performances for theater-lovers of all ages! Family fun starts here!