FADE TO BLACK PLAY FESTIVAL Returns For Fourth Season at Queensbury Theatre

Building on the success of previous years, the "Fade to Black" Play Festival returns with a line-up of ten new short plays. The event will be held at Queensbury Theatre on June 16-18, 2016.

"After seeing so few African-American playwrights represented in theater festivals in the Houston community," says Executive Director, Denise O'Neal, "I decided it was time for a change." So, O'Neal, with the help of many friends, created a movement that is growing by leaps and bounds. An exciting new festival dedicated to promoting the new works of Black playwrights. It saw its first production in the summer of 2014 and has since has become the most unique and sought-after theatrical event of the year.

The formula was simple: Make a nationwide call for short plays written by African-American playwrights, combine the selected plays with Houston's diverse theatre talent, lather, then rinse and repeat! The method worked beautifully. Two years later after its premiere, this emerging festival gained the attention of Houston Mayor, Annise Parker: June 11 was proclaimed "Fade To Black Play Festival" Day.

The three-day event starts nightly at 8pm. A playwright talk-back and free reception follows the Friday night show and on Saturday, the festival's final night, the audience picks a grand prize winner. Please be aware that some material may not be suitable for theatergoers under 18.

2016 Fade To Black National Finalists (in alphabetical order):

Tina Burnside, Minneapolis, MN. - "Just A Rope?"*

Kim El, Pittsburgh, PA. - "Of Nine Tails"

Joe A. Lewis, Silver Spring, MD. - "Greater Good"*

Russell Nichols, Vallejo, CA. - "There Once Was A Jack In The Box: A Mad Scientist's Lament"

Angela Y. Rice, Houston, TX. - "And A Child Shall Lead Them"*

Anthony Roberts, Brooklyn, NY. - "The Kiss of Auset"

Stacey Rose, Bronx, NY. - "Summer '89 Prelude"*

Dana Stringer, Atlanta, GA. - "Looter"*

Caron Tate, Los Angeles, CA. - "Spellcheck"*

Marlow Wyatt, Los Angeles, CA. - "Sweetie's Confession"*

*Attending this year's festival

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.FadeToBlackFest.com

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