2016 Louise Heck-Rabi Dramatic Writing Festival Comes to Wayne State University This Week

Staged readings for the finalists of the 2016 Louise Heck-Rabi Dramatic Writing Festival, hosted by Wayne State University, takes place today, October 22 and Friday, October 23 beginning at 9:00am in the Studio Theatre. Winners of the competition will have their plays presented at The Heck-Rabi Festival which is a unique opportunity for emerging playwrights to see their work produced.

This coming week, three winning plays will be selected from the six finalists. Winning playwrights receive a scholarship and the opportunity to work with university directors, designers, and actors to realize their visions onstage at the Studio Theatre next spring. This year's competition features new works from six promising playwrights from the acclaimed Hilberry acting ensemble.

Each dramatic reading will be followed by a 20-minute open discussion with the playwright. After each morning of readings, audience members are invited to a light lunch where they will have the opportunity to mingle with the performers and playwrights.

The Louise Heck-Rabi Dramatic Writing Competition and Festival are named for Louise Heck- Rabi, a dedicated writer and member of the Detroit literary scene. The Festival is jointly administered by the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance and the English Department at Wayne State University and features winning finalists from the Writing Competition.

The event takes place October 22-23 beginning at 9:00 a.m. each day at the Studio Theatre, located beneath the Hilberry Theatre at 4743 Cass Ave on Wayne State's campus. Attendance at each dramatic reading is free, but seating is limited.

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9:00 a.m. Thursday, October 22

State of the Union by Tiffany Michelle Thompson
Readers: Antonia LaChé, Breayre Tender

Juliet by Mary Sansone
Readers: Wesley Cady, Logan Hart, Jada Johnson, Monica Mingo, Maria Ochoa, Cody Robison, Stephanie Stoiko, Graham Todd, Allen Wiseman, Danielle Wright

Marigold Cups by Devri Chism
Readers: Wesley Cady, Bonnie Holmes, James Kern, Danielle Wright

9:00 a.m. Friday, October 23

The Sunshine Clown by Michael Phillip Thomas
Readers: Alexis Barrera, Hannah Butcher, Devri Chism, Santino Craven, Jordan Fritz, Dante? Jones, Tayler Jones, Michael Manocchio, Clearie McCarthy, Shane Nelson, Keira Schmitt, Brad Smith, Nicole Sparks, Nick Stockwell

Change Must Come by Santino Craven
Readers: Ernest Bentley, Mary Sansone, Michael Phillip Thomas, Tiffany Michelle Thompson, Brandon A. Wright

Besides Birds by Michael Manocchio
Readers: Alexis Barrera, Hannah Butcher, Clearie McCarthy, Shane Nelson

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The Studio Theatre is an intimate, 110-seat, open-stage theatre in the lower level of the Hilberry Theatre on Wayne State University's campus. It is often used for experimental, student, and classroom productions. Annual programming includes the Student Stage and the Louise Heck-Rabi Dramatic Writing Competition. For nearly fifty years the Studio Theatre has presented great theatre featuring WSU undergraduate students. With generous support from patrons and donors, the Studio Theatre underwent renovation in 2010. For box office hours and information on performances, tickets, and group discounts, call the box office at (313) 577-2972 or visit the theatre's website at www.TheatreAndDance.wayne.edu.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.

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