Rescheduled from Sept. 30:  “The Blood Cycle” by Benita Alane

The 2022 Proteus New Plays Festival features four new works written in our American Dreamwrights Workshop. Join us for performances in repertory during Proteus and vote for your favorite ” show. Winner of the Audience Favorite will get an extended run in November.

2022 Selected Plays are: “A Cut Above” by Zachary and Christen Davis, “The Blood Cycle” by Benita Alane, “Likker Outta Control, Busting Arlena Cartwright” Story by Clyde Santana, Stage Play By Clyde Santana and Buddy White, and “No One Knows Her Song” by P.A. Wray

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

2 full weekends of creativity are back at The Z! 

Showcases of music, comedy, theater, kid’s entertainment, open mics, a silent auction, and interactive art projects take over our block of Town Center this October in the don’t-miss event of the season! Come see what The Z is all about-there’s no arts fest like Proteus!

GET YOUR ALL-ACCESS PASS TO GET TICKETS TO ALL EVENTS

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS: 

NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL:

9/30-10/1 and 10/5-10/7 at 7pm

Studio Theater

The 2022 Proteus New Plays Festival features four new works written in our American Dreamwrights Workshop. Join us for performances in repertory during Proteus and vote for your favorite show. Winner of the Audience Favorite will get an extended run in November. 2022 Selected Plays are: “A Cut Above” by Zachary and Christen Davis, “The Blood Cycle” by Benita Alane, “Likker Outta Control, Busting Arlena Cartwright” by Clyde Santana, and “No One Knows Her Song” by P.A. Wray

*”The Blood Cycle”, originally planned for Sept. 30, has been rescheduled to Wed. Oct. 5 at 7pm. Patrons who purchased a ticket for Sept. 30’s show can exchange their ticket for Oct 6 or 7 and see the Oct 5 performance for free. Please contact the Box Office with questions. 

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PLAN B COMEDY HULLABALOO

Friday, Oct. 7 at 8pm

Mainstage

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PROTEUS BLOCK PARTY

Saturday, Oct. 8 from 2-7pm

FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Your introduction to The Z starts this October! Our annual Proteus Block Party is the biggest don’t-miss FREE event of the season showcasing music, comedy, theater, kid’s entertainment, open mics, and interactive art projects. We’ll have our doors open wide for the community to come see what The Z is all about-there’s no arts fest like Proteus!

PARTY LIKE A VIP:  For $100 get a reserved seat at a VIP premium view table, then enjoy dinner and a show with catered food and private bar access during the Block Party, plus a ticket to the Proteus Music Contest at 8pm.

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PROTEUS MUSIC CONTEST

Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8pm

Mainstage Theater

The Proteus Festival Music Contest is for emerging and early-career musical artists!
See performances from our five finalists at Proteus Festival, and watch as a winner is crowned by a panel of music industry professionals. The grand prize is a headlining concert in the Live at The Z Music Series and a recording package in The Z’s recording studio.

VIEW THE FULL PROTEUS LINEUP

 

Sponsored by: 

Saxophonist Eddie Williams leads his quartet as they perform music from his most recent album “Acceptance”- featuring Justin Kauflin (piano), Chris Brydge (bass), and Emre Kartari (drums)

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Live at the Z Music Series:  The spotlight is on music with our Live at The Z Music Series specially curated to elevate new and exciting artists of all genres to the center stage. Originality and talent shine in our state-of-the-art venue that welcomes audiences into an intimate and immersive musical experience. Music starts here. #LiveAtTheZ

Your introduction to The Z starts at the annual Proteus Block Party! Showcases of music, comedy, theater, kid’s entertainment, open mics, and interactive art projects take over Town Center this October in the don’t-miss free event of the season! Come see what The Z is all about-there’s no arts fest like Proteus!

FEATURING:

On the Terrace & Plaza: VA is for Arts Lovers LOVE sign art project and outdoor performances, plus an open mic sampler featuring our Z Artist Members and local performers alike

Studio: Rotation of performances by the Children’s Theater of Hampton Roads, Plan B Comedy, American Dreamwrights, and more!

Headlining performance by Jared Farell: Jared Farrell is Virginia Beach-based singer/songwriter, known for his catchy melodies and story-driven music backed with electronic production. After two EPs, “Lights of Babylon and Illuminate” and a full-length record, “KIRA,” Jared is set to release his newest album, “Electric” in October of this year. As the singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the New York-based band Frequent Season, Jared played shows at Mercury Lounge, Arlene’s Grocery, the Bitter End, the Middle East, and more. As the keyboardist for Davey Suicide, he went on 4 national tours, opening for bands like Static X, Orgy, Jeffree Star, Twiztid, and Wednesday 13.

Main Lobby: Silent Auction with prizes from VB favorites

PARTY LIKE A VIP: For $100 get a reserved seat at a VIP premium view table, enjoy a private reception courtesy of Cantina Laredo and private bar access during the Block Party, plus a ticket to the Proteus Music Contest at 8pm.

VIEW THE FULL PROTEUS LINEUP

A concert presentation of original poetry by Tim Seibles paired with compositions by bassist Chris Brydge.

Tim Seibles

Tim Seibles is the author of several poetry collections, including One Turn Around the Sun (Etruscan Press, 2017), Fast Animal (Etruscan Press, 2012), a finalist for the 2012 National Book Award; Buffalo Head Solos (Cleveland State University Press, 2004); and Body Moves (Corona Press, 1988).

In 2016 Seibles was selected as the poet laureate of Virginia. He has also received the Open Voice Award, the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award, and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown.

Chris Brydge

Chris is a freelance bassist, educator, composer and band leader who has been performing in and around the greater Tidewater area of Virginia since 1994.

For over 20 years, he has had the pleasure of being a member of the Virginia Symphony Jazz Orchestra, Roy Muth Big Band and Eddie Williams Quartet. You can also find Chris performing with his own ensembles, Left of Center, the Chris Brydge trio/ quartet, Liz Terrell Quartet and as part of the bass and voice duo Liz & Brydge.

Chris has shared the stage with many incredible performers, including: John Abercrombie, Frank Foster, John Goldsby, Carmen Bradford, Karrin Allyson, Rene Marie, Melanie Charles, Alan Parker, Taylor Barnett, John Toomey, Laura Martier, Stephanie Nakasian, Harris Simon, Lorna Luft, Debbie Boone, Shirley Jones, Bernadette Peters and many other international jazz and pop artists.

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Live at the Z Music Series:  The spotlight is on music with our Live at The Z Music Series specially curated to elevate new and exciting artists of all genres to the center stage. Originality and talent shines in our state-of-the-art venue that welcomes audiences into an intimate and immersive musical experience. Music starts here. #LiveAtTheZ

Dust off your sheet music, warm up those vocal chords, and step into the spotlight! Join your fellow musical theater enthusiasts for a night of songs from The Great White Way. Come and see the finest of Hampton Roads’ Broadway-worthy talent. Those looking to sing may sign up at the door. Limited spots!

Artist Members have early access to sign up for performance slots via private link. Learn more about Artist Memberships here. 

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OPEN MIC SERIES: Step on stage and showcase your talents! Writers, comedians, musicians and performers of all kinds can test-drive works-in-progress, debut new pieces, or take the mic for fun in this welcoming, supportive environment. New talent starts here! 

In partnership with Virginia Musical Theatre & the Hurrah Players.