Drama Teacher and Former Student to Perform in New York City Solo Theatre Festival

Dr. John Newman was Natalie Blackman's drama teacher at Highland High from 2000-2004. This fall they are both performing at the United Solo Festival, the world's largest solo theatre festival, on 42nd Street in New York City.

DISORDER http://unitedsolo.org/us/disorder-2017/

A young woman's harrowing journey through our fractured mental health system as she tries to save her father after he suffers a psychotic break.

Written and performed by Natalie BlackMAN (17 Miracles, multiple seasons Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Hamlet tour - Utah Shakespeare Festival, Our Town and Dracula - Pioneer Theatre Company)

THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN http://unitedsolo.org/us/themanbehindthecurtain-2017/

On New Year's Eve, 1908, The Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum announces to his audience that his theatrical production has been canceled. Since the writer can't give the audience a show, he gives them the story of how he transformed his fears and failures into the great American fairy tale.

Written and performed by DR. John Newman. Newman earned a Ph.D. in Educational Theater at New York University. He has been a professor of theatre at Utah Valley University and Director of the TYE Center for Theatre, Youth, and Education since 2010, after teaching and directing theatre for eighteen years at Highland High School in Salt Lake City. As a playwright, Newman has created authorized stage adaptations of novels by Newbery medalists Avi, Paul Fleischman, Richard Peck, and Jean Lee Latham.

2017 United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival, currently in its 8th year, will present 120 shows from six continents at Theatre Row: 410 West 42nd Street, New York City. TICKETS, with a price of $35 (plus a $2.25 theatre restoration charge) are available at Theatre Row box office, 410 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, as well as over the phone at 212.239.6200 and online at telecharge.com. More details can be found at www.unitedsolo.org.