BoxFest Detroit 2015 Showcases Female Directors This Month

The producers of BoxFest Detroit are pleased to announce "BoxFest Detroit 2015," an annual theater festival that showcases and creates opportunities for women directors. BoxFest Detroit 2015 will run Fridays and Saturdays, tonight, August 21, through August 29 at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff Ave, Hamtramck, MI 48212. For more information, visit the website www.boxfestdetroit.com.

BoxFest Detroit is an annual theater festival that showcases and creates opportunities for women directors. It has served and continues to function as a springboard for many women and their directing careers. Directors who have participated in past festivals have gone on to pursue graduate studies at highly competitive universities, become directors at professional theaters, and form their own successful theater and production companies. Proceeds from the event are given to one or more directors as a scholarship to help further her career, and the winner of the audience vote competition is given the opportunity to direct a show with Planet Ant Theatre's Late Night Series.

In 2014 after more than a decade in existence, the future of BoxFest Detroit was uncertain. Producers downsized last year's offering, producing one weekend of plays, the "BoxFest Detroit Workshop" fundraiser, to support a full festival the following year. In addition to the money raised at the "BoxFest Detroit Workshop," BoxFest Detroit has received integral support from a number of key sponsors. Planet Ant Theatre, Dramatically Richer Productions, Jerry Belanger, and the Park Bar have all provided generous support to "BoxFest Detroit 2015." "We are so grateful to all of our sponsors because their gifts have made our 2015 festival possible," says Molly McMahon, Artistic Director. "We look forward to returning to Planet Ant for this summer's festival to have some fun and provide opportunities for our deserving directors."

BoxFest Detroit is the only festival of its kind in the state and focuses solely on providing women directors opportunities to showcase their work and to gain necessary experience required for success in the field. The festival seeks directors of all skill levels to participate and early career and established directors are invited to participate. The festival is also accepting submissions from playwrights and actors. Directors and playwrights must submit by June 1. Actors must submit to audition for directors. Auditions will be held on Tuesday, June 23 from7pm - 10pm at Planet Ant Theatre. More information about submissions and the festival is available at www.boxfestdetroit.com.

Pictured: Elizabeth Jaffe in Peaches, directed by Amanda Grace Ewing, at "BoxFest Detroit 2013." Photo by Kelly Rossi.