MITF Short Play Lab Announces Play Entries

Producer John Chatterton's Sweet 16th Year is underway with a new installment of the widely popular Short Play Lab Series. This special installment features 20 new works including Head Trauma by international playwright, Marcus Yi; and making its American theater debut, the Iran Saye Theatre's new work: THE MAN AND THE WORDS written and directed by Mehdi Mashhour and performed by Golshad Moradi & Alexsander Kwanje. International actress, Emmy Pai returns to New York theater in Christopher Sirota's new play, PULL THE TRIGGER, STUPID.

Seasoned pros and gifted newcomers alike will premiere at Roy Arias Studios.

isit www.midtownfestival.org for TICKETS.

Roy Arias Studios, 300 W. 43rd St., Fifth Floor, New York City

Program A: Sat. Oct. 25, 7 pm and Sun. Oct. 26, 4 pm

The Man and the Words by Mehdi Mashhour, directed by Mehdi Mashhour; starring Golshad Moradi and Alexsander Kwanje. Don't panic if one day you find your hand wants talk to you! Direct from Iran

Reunion by Lynn Aliya, directed by Alan Wynroth; starring Jack Drucker and Lily Dorment. A strange reunion questions life-time decisions for Willi, and all of us -- in the end, do we choose to live or die?

Prisoners of War - The Mother by John Ladd, directed by Eric Leeb; starring Holly Kay Benedict. It's said that 'war is hell,' and when a mother's son dies as a result of one, she becomes a 'prisoner of war' for the rest of her life.

Head Trauma by Elise Marenson, directed by Marcus Yi;starrig Michael Gonring and Bryce Henry. Gangsters and two guys in a helluva pickle.

The Devil's Advocate by Shari Umansky, directed by Shari Umansky; starring Byron Hagen and Andrew Martin. When 25-year-old neurotic, stockbroker and about to become adulterer Jason Turner answers his hotel room door, he is shocked to find himself face-to-face with Bob - the Devil's Advocate. What the devil is going on?

Drawback to Benefits by Alaina Hammond, directed by Alaina Hammond. Chances are your doctor's not as sociopathic or sadistic as this one, depending on your coverage.

Dining for One by Brian Leahy Doyle, directed by John Camera; starring Eric Lommel, Destiny Marie Shegstad, and David Wetter. It's Super Bowl Sunday in a french restaurant. Scylla and Simon, former lovers/colleagues, bid their less-than-fond goodbyes somewhere between the bread and the bottle of Chateau Pey la Tour Bourdeaux Superieur...

Trail Meetups by Joyce Fontana, directed by Adam Fontana;starring Erika Vetter, Austin Hohnke, Joseph Serrano, and Elizabeth Gray. When "Hey. Nice day" extends beyond a rude interruption of wilderness solitude for a lone female hiker on a remote trail, should she ask, is he friend or foe?

Abuse from Another Life by Fran Handman, directed by Elowyn Castle; starring Dana Feinberg, Baltsar Beckeld, and Frank DeGregorio. So what were you Up to in 1490?

Paths: No Rhymes, No Reasons by Anthony Darden & Aaron Phillip Watkins, directed by Anthony Darden & Clive EJ Salmon; starring Aaron Phillip Watkins. One man. Two paths. One outcome. When taking the "right" path takes a wrong turn.

Program B: Sat. Oct, 25, 9 pm and Sun. Oct. 26, 2 pm
A Long Day's Journey Into A Hotel Room, by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin, directed by Alton Alburo; starring Adin Lenahan, Brittany Allen, Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin, and Faustine. A biographical American Expressionist play about Eugene O'Neill in the style of Eugene O'Neill, kind of.

Burnout by Maia A. Maiamatsushita, directed by Jeremy Joseph Ehlinger. A young woman finds comfort in an unexpected place

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Lucas Womack, directed by Jack Haley; starring Alison Gregory, Christopher Tilley, and Lucas Womack. Break ups are tough, but they're tougher when they don't happen.

Exit Interview by Tom Delgado, directed by Tom Delgado;starring Tom Delgado and Jason Burke. Where does repression go?

Jesus and Mary by George Klas, directed by Rhonda Goldstein; starring Morgane Jaremczuk and Caleb Hicks. Lovers or just friends? This tantalizing comedy reveals the answer about Jesus and Mary Magdelene.

A Woman of a Certain Age by Carol White, directed by Steven Strickland; starring Star Davis, Michael Gucciardo, and Joseph Russo. A flirtatious conversation in an art gallery bolsters an older woman's ego.

My God is an Angry God by Maria DeLucia-Evans, directed by Nicholas DeLucia; starring Tim Gleason and Joanna Patchett. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Sam Blessing has made a difficult decision and now he needs to tell his daughter.

Pull the Trigger, Stupid by Christopher Sirota, directed by Jay Michaels, assisted by Adele Wendt; starring Emmi Pai and Joseph Conway. Were YOU listening when you told me about YOUR dreams?

Atonement on the 8th Hole by Lorne Svarc, directed by Tasha Gordon-Solmon; starring Dangerfield Moore and Shelly Antony. A Rabbi goes golfing on the holiest day of the year. How will he be judged by God?