Araca Project to Present Six Original Productions from Up-and-Coming Artists this Fall

Tickets are now on sale for The Araca Group's third annual Araca Project featuring six original productions including three plays, a research based theatrical event and a sketch/variety show. Performances begin September 3rd, 2013 at The American Theatre for Actors in New York City (314 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019).

The Araca Project is an initiative of The Araca Group and Syracuse University. This year, the University of Michigan, Northwestern University and Florida State University join SU and The Araca Group's commitment to early career development.

By giving artists the opportunity to take on the full artistic and fiscal responsibilities of producing their work Off-Broadway, The Araca Project endeavors to embolden these artists to recognize the power of the entrepreneurial spirit in shaping one's artistic destiny. For more information on the Araca Project, visit www.aracaproject.com.

After pitching projects in April, selected participants spent a week of June in a producing intensive program in NYC to prepare for productions in the fall.

This year's six productions are all original works. The lineup includes three plays (American Games, The Memory Tax, Breaking Heels); a research based exploration of gay bullying among America's youth (The Rock and the Ripe); a theatre dance event ([PRESS PLAY]) and a sketch/variety show fresh from Chicago (All of Our Feelings at Once). All are produced by young professionals that graduated between 2002 and 2012. The six productions are as follows:

AMERICAN GAMES
Written by Kevin Slack, directed by Phil Blechman.
Baseball phenom Henry Wool is widely considered to be the greatest pitching prospect in the history of the sport--subject of vast speculation, analysis, and media hype. But when he decides to hang it up for good, Henry must deal with the consequences of fame, love, power, and history.

September 3-5 at 7pm, Sept 6 at 8pm, Sept 7 at 2 and 8pm, Sept 8 at 2pm. Tickets are $20.
www.fivepointprod.com

THE MEMORY TAX
Written by Chad Eschman
Memories aren't something you keep, they're something you become. A young couple tries to build a future in a dystopian America, where memories are taken out of people's minds and archived because there may not be a tomorrow. Featuring film, live projections, and an original underscore, The Memory Tax explores whether a family can survive in a dying world.

September 12 - 14 and 18 - 21 at 8pm, September 15 at 2pm. Tickets are $22
www.thememorytax.com

THE ROCK AND THE RIPE
Written by Mark Blane
Six restless high schoolers are stuck in the principal's waiting room, all up for expulsion after taking part in bullying incidents- though, most of them were the ones being bullied. They banter with each other while they wait to go back to class, until they discover that the principal isn't coming. Inspired by The Laramie Project, The Rock and the Ripe presents a 75 minute story taken from the real actions of bullied gay teens that desperately sought to take the rock 'off their chest.'

Friday, Sept. 27 - Sunday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 pm Fri-Sat, Wed-Sat, 3:00 pm Sundays. Tickets are $18.
www.therockandtheripe.com

BREAKING HEELS
By Bryn Lagoni
When shy Stacy started college in the fall, the last thing she expected was to be turned into a 'real-life temptress' by Rachel, her high heeled-wearing, vodka sipping roommate. In this contemporary coming of age comedy, these unlikely friends discover who they are through what they wear on their feet. Breaking Heels is a play about healing.

Oct 9th-13th, Wed-Saturday 8PM and Sat & Sun 2PM. All tickets are $19.
www.breakingheelsnyc.com

[PRESS PLAY]
[PRESS PLAY] is an avant-garde theatrical dance event featuring a score by modern techno/house music producers and a visual experience of live interactive 3D projections that encircle the entire audience. Created by Two Entertainment co-founders Han Park and RJ Brown, [PRESS PLAY] fuses these two electrifying elements together with innovative contemporary choreography to tell a post-apocalyptic story about the aftermath of World War III and the importance of freedom.

October 24th at 7PM, October 25th at 7PM, October 26th at 7PM. Tickets are $20 General Admission, $40 VIP
www.pressplaytheshow.com

ALL OF OUR FEELINGS AT ONCE
All of Our Feelings at Once always gets personal. But that's the fun. Whether it's through original songs, multimedia presentations, or interactive games, these Chicago-based comedians reveal, share, amuse and embarrass themselves by any means necessary.

October 17-19 and 24-26 at 9pm. Tickets are $20.
www.allofourfeelingsatonce.com

All performances of the Araca Project will be held at The American Theatre of Actors at 314 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019.