Battle 'Diverse Voice' Playwriting Contest Held in July

One of New York's most unique opportunities for new and  emerging playwrights, the Hinton Battle Theatre Lab "Diverse Voice Playwriting Contest" will take place on Mondays July 2nd and 9th (7:30PM) at Off Broadway's 45th Street Theatre (354 West 45th Street—2nd floor). Admission is free.

The third annual contest of readings will showcase a 45 minute version of the four selected plays to a selected panel of veteran New York Theatre professionals including: producer William Franzblau (Say Goodnight Gracie) acclaimed playwright Jerome Hairston and Disney Creative Entertainment director Shelby Jiggetts Tivony. The winner will be announced in September and will be awarded a $1,000 prize.

"This year's selected entries will be read as per the following schedule: on July 2nd-- The Boiling House written by Peter Snoad chronicles Mama Aida, an owner of a guesthouse on a small Caribbean island. The arrival of a famous rapper and an impending hurricane force her to confront the spirits of her slave ancestors who dwell in the Boiling House. Live Girls by Michael Stockman focuses on Zeke, a sociology graduate student studying peep shows falls in love with Candy, a veteran peep show worker diagnosed with metastasis breast cancer. In a last ditch effort to add meaning to her life, Candy takes an unusually nurturing approach to her last customer, helping Zeke acknowledge his traumatic sexual past," state press materials.

"Continuing on  July 9th-- Sand Creek Casino by Stuart Boyce banks on Darrel Iron Horse's plans to build a casino on his reservation are thwarted when he discovers an old unmarked grave of a soldier. He uses his grandfather's shamanic powers to enter a dream world and must convince this soldier, who participated in the Sand Creek massacre that killed his ancestors, to allow his grave to be moved. The Red Train written by Ben V. Marshall explores two gay African-American artists, one a young, idealistic musician, the other a jaded, famous writer; encounter each other at a Parisian Café. Their ensuing volatile relationship changes their lives while exploring the issues of identity, generational and cultural differences, and sexuality."

Tickets are free.  For more information please contact the Hinton Battle Theatre Lab at (212) 239 3140.