Winner of THE 2017 PLAYERS NEW PLAY FESTIVAL Announced

From July 31 to August 1, The Players Centre for Performing Arts hosted the popular Players New Play Festival. This week-long event showcased five newly written works competing to be fully produced next season. The 2017 winner of The Players New Play Festival is "Before Steepletop" by Arthur Keyser. The production dates will be August 21 through 26, 2018 in the Backstage Theatre with full sets and costumes. The reading was directed by Dan Higgs as will the full scale production. The runner-up for the competition is Ron Pantello's play "Locked Doors" that was directed by Amanda Schlacter. In the unlikely case that winning play is not able to be produced; "Locked Doors" would take its place in the theater calendar.

Edna St. Vincent Millay is acknowledged to be one of America's greatest women poets. "Before Steepletop" focuses on a part of her storied life through a fictional young man who meets her unexpectedly and falls in love with her. Incorporating events which actually happened, this play follows the path of this star-crossed love affair.

"It was a really strong week of readings and an incredible learning experience for everyone involved. Giving local playwrights an opportunity to have a reading and talk back of their newest plays is a joy to produce," said Jeffery Kin, artistic director of The Players Centre. "I love the project, I enjoy the challenges and we all feel strongly that The Players' mission is accomplished each and every time we do this New Play Festival. We are 'educating, stimulating and enriching' just like we say in our mission statement. A big congratulation and thank you to everyone involved!

The Players Centre is thankful for the support of the audiences and judges of the event, and sends a special thank you to Tyler Yurkonis of The Starlight for hosting the readings. A special thanks also to Sandra Musicante for helping to coordinate the event.

The 2016 winner of The Players New Play Festival, Connie Schindewolf's "Mammoth Bones" will premier August 22 through 27 in the Backstage Theatre. Tickets are $15, call 941-365-2494 or visit our website at theplayers.org to purchase tickets.