DUTF Showcases 13 Emerging Playwrights At HERE Arts Center 5/6-5/16

The Downtown Urban Theater Festival (DUTF) will provide 13 emerging playwrights, from coast to coast, with the opportunity to showcase their work at the HERE Arts Center, May 6 thru 16. This year DUTF will celebrate its 7th Season with twelve new works by playwrights from across the U.S. Over two weeks, this multicultural, cross section of artists based in Chicago, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and San Francisco will present original works of urban life on topics such as the imperfections of our leaders, stereotypes, hate crime, living on the "DL" and self-immolation.

Not only will DUTF foster the development of new works and promote diversity in the theatre, it provides free educational events to bring the arts into the community and cultivates new audiences for theatre. DUTF will offer the following free events before and during the festival.

First time ever, special sneak previews of select DUTF plays on 4/25 and 5/2 at 1PM at Union Square Park
Award-winning Playwright, Helena D. Lewis, moderates an exclusive panel discussion on "Surviving the Economic Crisis: The Art of the Hustle" on 5/9 at 5PM at HERE. This event is open to the public
DUTF in the Schools Panel Discussion Series: Award-winning Playwright, Desi Moreno-Penson, moderates at the Bronx Theatre High School for students only
Activist and Performance Artist, Imani Henry, will facilitate an engaging discussion on the intersection of gender, sexuality, and racial/ethnic identities in relation to the Performance Arts
On 5/6 at 10PM, exclusive kick-off party to inaugurate the 7th Season of the festival at the HERE Arts Café. This event is open to the public
On 5/16 at 10PM, closing party at the HERE Arts Café. This event is open to the public

DUTF Performance Schedule:

Wednesday, May 6 - DOUBLE FEATURE

LIFE COULD BE UN SUE?O by Lina Sarrello

A comical glimpse of a first-generation American girl dealing with the traditions of her drama-filled Latino family shortly after her mother's death.

MAN UP by Carlos Andrés Gómez

Gómez takes the audience on a gritty, raw and often hilarious trip through sexuality, family, fear and dreams, in this solo work that attempts to uncover the definition of what it means to be a "good man."

Thursday, May 7- DOUBLE FEATURE

A BOY CALLED NOISE by Julia Steele Allen

The story of Noise - the male victim of a hate crime - is told through the unwavering voices of his family and the admirers who loved him. Only after their loss do they see the young man for who he was.

ALTERNATE SIDE STREET PARKING by Dina Laura

New York City can be complicated if you own a car. Steve and Jessica have just discovered that when you stop parking and start talking, life is full of surprises.

Friday, May 8

THE KING'S MISTRESS by Patricia Ione Lloyd

The stolen kisses and desires of a king and the dreams of the women who loved him. This fictionalized tale of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., explores the need to have leaders be perfect and/or godlike. Is it possible for one to be a hero to their family and community, while possessing a somewhat flawed humanity?

Saturday, May 9- DOUBLE FEATURE

SOLO MAN WATUSI by Mel Nieves

It's another New Year, filled with new beginnings, fresh starts, and an excitement for the unknown. But for two old friends who ponder all that could have been, but never was, the New Year is nothing more than a stinging reminder that the ‘little boy' on the inside has - once again - tripped up the ‘big man' on the outside.

WHERE MY GIRLS AT? by Micia Mosely

A fun-filled one-woman show, take on the black lesbian experience that challenges - head on - the notion that there's only one way to be black or queer in the 21st century.

Tuesday, May 12

AMERICA by Kim Yaged

Ethnicity, race, religion and culture are explored through America's ‘land of the free' stereotypes, creating a provocative social commentary that's sure to challenge the senses.

Wednesday, May 13

T.A.B. by Susan H. Pak

Based on the true and tragic demise of an MIT student by self-immolation, T.A.B. explores the desire and ambition to be "American" and how it can drive model minorities - Asian Americans - to staggering acts of self-destruction.

Thursday, May 14

RIGHT TO RETURN by Pamela Sneed

Locked in the realm of self-discovery after a long illness, a woman makes a journey to Ghana, traveling to former slave-trade routes, in search of a meaning - a reason - to exist.

Friday, May 15

VI DEGREES by Kash Goins

VI Degrees looks at the lifestyles of unprotected sex, prostitution, living on the "Down Low", adultery and sectors of prison life that may contribute to the high rate of HIV/AIDS.

Saturday, May 16

REPRESENTA! by Paul S. Flores and Julio Cardenas

What happens when a Chicano spoken-word poet meets a Cuban rapper at the Havana Hip-Hop Festival? Find out in this bilingual, hip-hop journey that uncovers the challenges of a poetic friendship.

All shows will begin at 8:30PM at HERE Arts Center located on 145 Sixth Avenue between Spring and Broome Streets (enter on Dominick), NYC. Tickets are $18. For Tickets & Information: www.here.org or call 212-352-3101. For complete schedule and info on DUTF, visit www.downtownurban.net.