ASTC & NMSU Theatre Arts Present A Staged Reading of BALLS

New Mexico State University's Department of Theatre Arts and the American Southwest Theatre Company will present a reading of a new play, BALLS, on January 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. as part of the new High Desert Play Development program. The reading will take place at the Hershel Zohn Theater on the NMSU campus.

Celebrating its fifth year, the High Desert Play Development program solicits scripts from emerging playwrights of national renown. One of these scripts, Jonathan Yukich's BALLS, was selected to receive a week-long workshop culminating with the public readings on January 22 and 23. Immediately following each reading, audiences will be asked to respond to the play as a means to allow the playwright to continue the play's development. BALLS will be in consideration for full production in NMSU Theatre Arts's High Desert slot in the 2010 - 2011 season.

BALLS is a quirky and outrageous comedy about the Moon family of Balls, Alabama, who are preparing for the arrival of famed football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. NMSU Theatre Arts Department Chair Tom Smith is excited about the play, noting that the "play keeps an audience on its toes, never knowing what will happen next."

Smith is also pleased that playwright Jonathan Yukich can join ASTC's cast, crew, and audiences on campus for the reading. "Yukich is a strong and important voice in new American theatre," Smith says, "he's a playwright we are very honored to have collaborate with us this season."
The purpose of the High Desert Play Development program is to identify and bring emerging playwrights--people who have regional but not necessarily national reputation--and provide them a week with actors, a director, a dramaturge, and an audience to workshop their play in order to improve and refine it. Come join ASTC and NMSU Theatre Arts as we shape the future of American theatre!
Tickets are $5. For more information call the NMSU Theatre/ASTC box office at 646-4515 or 1-800-646-ASTC.