Eighth Annual Firehouse Theatre Play Festival To Feature Best of Nearly 200 National Submissions

The Firehouse Theatre Project is proud to present its 2010 Festival of New American Plays.

This eighth-annual, national playwriting competition will conclude from Thursday, Jan. 28-Sunday, Jan. 31 at the Firehouse Theatre at 1609 W. Broad Street in Richmond.

Two plays have been selected as this year's finalists from nearly 200 entries submitted by talented playwrights from nearly every state in the country. Two staged readings of each play will be presented over the four-day festival with the winner being decided after the final reading on Sunday, Jan. 31, by persons who attended performances of both plays.

"This exciting event provides a unique opportunity for Richmond area residents to participate in a national play competition that draws submissions of the highest caliber," said Carol Piersol, the Firehouse's founding artistic director.

This year's two finalists are: "The Jag" by Gino DiIorio of New York, N.Y., and "American Pastimes" by Mike Folie of Congers, N.Y. Longtime Firehouse associates Irene Zeigler and Bill Patton were the finalist judges.

"American Pastimes," which will be presented on Friday, Jan. 29, and Sunday, Jan. 31, is based on a lawsuit against Major League Baseball filed by black players seeking the right to become free agents. Mr. Folie was chosen one of "50 Playwrights To Watch" by Dramatist Guild magazine. His plays have been produced off-Broadway, regionally around the U.S., and internationally, winning several awards.

"The Jag," which will be presented on Thursday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Jan. 30, is about a father and son who enlist a quirky lesbian to help them fix up an old Jaguar. Mr. DiIorio is an award-winning playwright and teacher whose work has been produced off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. He is an associate professor of theatre at Clark University where he also serves as theatre program director.

Both playwrights will be in attendance at the festival. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and be followed by a discussion including the audience, actors, director, and playwrights.

A $5 donation is suggested; students with valid ID will be admitted free.

Founded in 1993, The Firehouse Theatre Project produces contemporary theater of the United States in an authentic urban space - the more than 100-year-old former Station House #10 of the Richmond Fire Department.
The Firehouse's presentation of recent off-Broadway shows and original works, through main stage productions, readings, and the annual Festival of New American Plays, has brought to Richmond audiences a New York City black box theater experience - but at far lower ticket prices and with greater emphasis on the actor.

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