Theater Works 2016 New Works Festival to Pay Tribute to Dan Schay

In honor of Theater Works' late Executive Director, the Fourth Annual New Works Festival will be named after Dan Schay. Dan was dedicated to providing new experiences for playwrights, actors and our community through the New Works Festival each year. It is in his honor that tradition is continued by presenting the work of five playwrights and three young playwrights beginning Friday, July 8 in the McMillin Theater of the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. The New Works Festival is a platform for artists to launch their new work. Each work will be performed as a staged reading.

The Dan Schay New Works Festival celebrates the development of new theatrical work by playwrights Kirt Shineman, Luke Gomez, Richard Warren, Ben Tyler and Grant Woods as well as three one-act plays by the winners of the Arizona Thespian Playworks Annual Young Playwrights Competition.

The Dan Schay New Works Festival Schedule:

Junction Creek by Kirt Shineman

Friday, July 8 at 7pm

Saturday July 9 at 2:30pm

In 1983, when 18-year-old Julie-Ann begins college her 'choices' are front and center, and yet, she discovers that being an adult doesn't always present right and wrong options. Julie-Ann is given the choice to attend class, drink, take drugs, and have sex, but the trouble with 'choice' is that her choices don't necessarily empower her, or do they?

The Love and Violence Trilogy by Luke Gomez

Saturday, July 9 at 7pm

Sunday, July 10 at 2:30pm

Three hard edged one-act plays by one of Arizona's new generation of young playwrights that examines and then obliterates the thin line that sometimes exists between desire and pain in the 21st century.

3 student one-acts by AZ Thespian Playworks Annual Young Playwrights Competition winners!

Friday, July 15 at 7pm

Saturday, July 16 at 2:30pm
(Free performance)

Reimagining the Greek Gods for today's world, feminism run amuck, an intense interview where everything is not as it seems. Theater Works proudly presents the winners of the Arizona Thespian Playworks Annual Young Playwrights Competition! Proof beyond a doubt that the future of theatre in Arizona is in good hands! Sponsored by the Arizona Thespian Society

In the Valley of the Sun by Richard Warren

Saturday, July 16 at 7pm

Sunday, July 17 at 2:30pm

Set in Arizona's Superstition Mountains over the ten-year period, 1987 to 1997. Maria leaves her cowboy lover Steel to follow her dream of dancing on Broadway. Years later she returns with her five-year-old daughter Sasha only to find her best friend Trudy living with Steel. Surprising revelations and startling requests are made. Tensions mount as each struggles to maintain their friendship.

Sperm by Ben Tyler

Friday, July 22 at 7pm

Saturday, July 23 at 2:30pm

This is the true story of Ben Tyler's adventures as a sperm donor who is keeping it all in the family. Share his year-long quest in the attempt to impregnate his sister-in-law. In the end, Ben learns much about permanence, in life and in art. Which lives longer, a statue or a play? Ben will be performing this piece on Broadway at the United Solo Festival in New York City this October.

The Things We Do by Grant Woods

Saturday, July 23 at 7pm

Sunday, July 24 at 2:30pm

A very clever and very real comedy telling the story of Bill, Sarah, Ted and Alice, a group of not-so-young professionals discovering once the kids are grown, you may find yourself searching for very different things in life. Follow their journey as they discover the intricacies of modern love and the myriad ways humans deal with the complexity of our associations.

All performance tickets are $12. The three one-act plays by AZ Thespian Young Playwright Winners are free to attend.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.theaterworks.org or call the Theater Works Box Office at 623.815.7930 Monday - Friday 10am to 4pm. Theater Works is located at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts (8355 W. Peoria Ave, Peoria).

Theater Works at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is entering its 31st season of providing exceptional theater to the West Valley. As a destination, it features more than 200 events a year including: live theater, classical concerts, jazz, popular music, dance, comedy, cultural events, festivals, youth and adult education classes and much more. Theater Works is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, call the box office at 623.815.7930 or visit www.theaterworks.org.

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