Artists From Suburbia's Summer Theatre Surge to Showcase New Works

Artists from Suburbia, a leader in new and experimental community-based theatre on Boston's south shore, today announced their 2017 Suburban Summer Theatre Surge, the only theatre season on the south shore incorporating community involvement in new-play development.

The Bridgewater Cultural Council and Brockton Cultural Council, programs of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, are funding the series of events.

The Suburban Summer Theatre Surge facilitates new and experimental work through collaborations with amateur artists and theatre professionals with the following programs:

• Second-Annual Evening of Original One-Act Plays (June 9, 2017, at the East Bridgewater Public Library) - Following last year's sold-out evening of original one-act plays, Artists From Suburbia presents staged readings of three new works by local playwrights highlighting the stories of marginalized communities.
• New Full-Length Play (June 23, 2017, at Owling Dog Art Gallery, Bridgewater, July 27, 2017, at the Ames Free Library, Easton, and an additional date to be announced) - Artists From Suburbia presents a new play by Scituate-based playwright Alex Moon through a series of three staged readings. Audience members can involve themselves in the process by providing feedback at each reading.
• "A Little Princess" (July 21-23, 2017, at Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton) - Directed by artistic director Andrew Child, this family-friendly production of Frances Hodgson Burnett's play highlights the seemingly-harmless dangers of xenophobia through puppetry and multimedia design.

"The Suburban Summer Theatre Surge continues Artists From Suburbia's mission to bring local theatre artists and playwrights, both professional and amateur, together to in unique collaborations," said Andrew Child, Artists From Suburbia's artistic director. "We're thrilled to immerse the south shore community in new works and experimental adaptations that focus on the voices of marginalized communities, ensuring that participation in theatre is a possibility for all."

Massachusetts residents can submit their plays for consideration in the evening of original one-act plays until March 31. Complete rules and regulations are posted on www.artistsfromsuburbia.webbly.com, and the three selected plays will be announced mid-April. Artists From Suburbia will hold open auditions May 15 at East Bridgewater High School from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Community members can email artistsfromsubrbia@gmail.com to submit a play, secure an audition, and learn about other involvement opportunities.

Artists From Suburbia will update its website and social media channels as casting, additional dates, and further information is announced.

Based in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Artists From Suburbia is a leader in new and experimental community-based theatre pieces on Boston's south shore. Founded in 2015, the theatre initiative works with amateur and professional artists from communities south of Boston including Brockton, Hanover, and the Bridgewaters. With BroadwayWorld Boston and EMACT/DASH nominations, as well as partnerships with The Fuller Craft Museum and The East Bridgewater Public Library, Artists From Suburbia facilitates collaborations between amateur and professional theatre artists to create works outside of the traditional community theatre group canon. For more information about Artists From Suburbia, visit www.artistsfromsuburbia.weebly.com.