Zeiders American Dream Theater to Present the Return of the Proteus Festival

Zeiders American Dream Theater (The Z) in Virginia Beach Town Center is bringing back its flagship Proteus Festival from October 3-12, with a celebration of theater, music, comedy, and art of all forms.

Proteus Block Party, Oct. 12 from 3-7pm, FREE COMMUNITY EVENT

Free and open to all, the Proteus Block Party is a family-friendly community event that celebrates the arts with a variety of experiences, performances, and activities all day long. Comedy, children's theater, and music performances will take place on the outdoor stage, and a sampler of the open mic slate will perform musical theater, spoken word and acoustic songs.

Proteus New Plays, Oct. 3-5, 10-11

The 2024 Proteus New Plays features four new works written in our Z Playwrights Lab. Join us for staged readings in repertory during Proteus Festival and vote for your favorite show. The winner of the Audience Favorite will get an extended workshop run in June 2025.

2024 Selected Plays are:

Riding The Bubble Bus by Kendra Louka

You Have to Hear What I Hear by Ernest A. White Jr

A World of Flaws by Frederick Silvers

Peace of Still by Sherilynn Cherry

Directors: Patrick Mullins and Leila Stephanie Assistant Directors: Jackie Adonis and Maryanne Kiley

Proteus Music Contest, Oct. 4 at 7:30pm

Local musicians perform in the Proteus Music Contest, featuring your favorite emerging artists from the 757. Five finalists, including the audience favorite selected by a community vote, compete in a live concert contest to be crowned the winner by a panel of music industry professionals.The grand prize winner will be featured in a headlining concert in the Live at The Z Music Series and receive a recording package in The Z's recording studio.

Creative Teams, Community Performances

Artists of all kinds can take the stage at Proteus 2024 in the Creative Teams contest. Teams work together to create a brand new piece of film, music or theatrical art based on a prompt in The Z's version of a "48-hour Play Festival", and will perform their new creation on the mainstage at The Z. In the past, teams from local community theaters, bands, and other arts groups have taken part. There's still time to form a team and create new art!

Want to Go or Take Part?

The 2024 Proteus Festival runs weekends from October 3- 12, 2024 at the Zeiders American Dream Theater. An all-access pass to all events within the festival is available for just $35, and all events are ticketed separately. The Block Party is a free, open event for all to join.

For tickets and information, visit thez.org/proteusfestival or call The Z Box Office Tu-F, 12-6pm at 757-499-0317.

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