Apple Tree Theatre Presents A Night of Original One-Act Plays 9/3

On September 3, 2009 Apple Tree Theatre will host a free reading of two original one-act plays: The Creator by Jessica Puller and Do Us Part by Rob Smith. Each reading will be followed by a talkback discussion, led by nationally-recognized playwright and director Matt Lyle.

The readings are open to the general public, and the audiences will have the unique opportunity to shape an upcoming new work, never before produced. Performers will include Paige Collins, Brian Dongarra, Jessie Anne Fisher, Andy Hager, Nicole Keating, Emily Mark, Laura E. McClain, Susan Myburgh, and AJ Wright.

The 2009 winner of the Beverly Hills Theatre Guild Marilyn Hall Play Competition for Youth Theatre, The Creator, exp lores the five stages of grief from the point of view of a child. Although Sara and Zabrina promised to be friends forever, when Sara declares that she no longer believes in imaginary friends, Zabrina finds herself in the purgatory of imagination. She goes through the five stages of grief as she remembers her relationship with Sara, all while awaiting her encounter with the mysterious deity, the Creator.

Do Us Part is a comedy that looks at love, loss, and the afterlife. The Day Before Graf and Althea were to wed, tragedy struck. Now, Graf struggles to let go of Althea, even though she has passed to the other side. Despite his sister Jenna's best efforts, he would rather spend every moment reliving the past. But when Althea runs into her childhood sweetheart, she wants to spend the rest of her afterlife with him. Graf must decide if he can let go, move on, and be a part of the wedding.

The readings will take place on September 3, 2009 at Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Apple Tree Theatre is located at 1850 Green Bay Road, Highland Park, IL 60035. For more information, contact Shelley Nixon at snixon@appletreetheatre.com or Jessica Puller at jpuller@appletreetheatre.com

Apple Tree Theatre is committed to producing a diverse and challenging selection of both dramas and musicals, from new works to classics, all of which illuminate the human condition, celebrate the tenacity of the human spirit, and expand the vision and understanding of artists and audiences alike. The Orchard Series features exciting events to explore new ways to bring the performing arts to Apple Tree's patrons as well as to develop new work and new audiences. The event is free and open to the general public.