HUMANA FESTIVAL Takes The Stage Around The Country 3/1-4/11

Actors Theatre of Louisville is about to open its 33rd Humana Festival of New American Plays (March 1 - April 11) made possible by the Humana Foundation Inc. Past Humana Festival plays have gone on to win Pulitzer Prizes or receive regional theatre productions across the country and off-Broadway. Actors Theatre has been a major force in revitalizing American playwriting for the past 30 years in its presentation of the renowned Humana Festival.

All six of the full-length plays that were a part of the 32nd Humana Festival of New American Plays last year have seen subsequent productions.

Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo is currently running at Second Stage in New York City to rave reviews.  Gionfriddo-s first Humana Festival play in 2004, After Ashley, left the Humana Festival and moved to New York-s Vineyard Theatre in 2005 and the Denver Center Theatre in 2006.

The Civilians- This Beautiful City is also currently running in New York City at the Vineyard Theatre and has had productions at Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C., Center Theatre Group-s Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles and another California production at La Jolla Playhouse.

Marc Bamuthi Joseph-s the break/s has seen audiences at the Spoleto Festival in Charlestown, South Carolina, The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., The Skirball Center for the Arts in New York City and the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Lee Blessings Great Falls had a production at Profile-s Theatre in Chicago in 2008.

All Hail Hurricane Gordo by Carly Mensch wrapped the 32nd Humana Festival and headed immediately to a run with The Cleveland Playhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom was produced in New York City at the Summer Play Festival 2008 and is scheduled for a September 2009 production at the HotCity Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri.

A few notable mentions from the 31st Humana Festival of New American Plays (2007) include:

Craig Wright-s The Unseen, which is in production right now at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago and is scheduled for a March run at The Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City.  Earlier in 2008 it had productions at Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston, Texas, and in St. Louis, Missouri at the Mustard Seed Theatre.

Carlos Murillo-s 2007 play Dark Play or Stories for Boys had subsequent productions at Actor-s Express in Atlanta, Georgia, and Boston Court Theatre in Pasadena, California.

This year-s lineup includes: Wild Blessings: A Celebration of Wendell Berry adapted for the stage by Artistic Director Marc Masterson and Adrien-Alice Hansel from the writing of Wendell Berry (Port Royal, Kentucky), Absalom by Zoe Kazan (New York City), Under Construction by Charles L. Mee (New York City), Slasher by Allison Moore (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Ameriville by UNIVERSES (Gamal Abdel Chasten, Mildred Ruiz, William Ruiz aka Ninja and Steven Sapp from New York City), and The Hard Weather Boating Party by Naomi Wallace (native of Prospect, Kentucky, now residing in Skipton, North Yorkshire, U.K.).

The Festival plays will be presented in rotating repertory in Actors Theatre-s 637-seat Pamela Brown Auditorium, 318-seat Bingham Theatre and 159-seat Victor Jory Theatre.

Two weekends featuring festival plays are offered for industry professionals. Theatre Professionals Weekend (March 27-29) is for artistic directors, literary managers and playwrights. Special Visitors Weekend (April 3-5) is for press, producers, directors and casting agents from stage, film and television. Guests receive a full package of plays, hotel discounts, a festival gift and guide, airport
transportation and complimentary shuttle and festival concierge service. Special panel discussions will be held both weekends.  For Theatre Professionals and Special Visitors Weekend package
information, call Festival and Events Manager Stephanie Spalding at (502) 584-1265 ext. 3003 or sspalding@ActorsTheatre.org.

New Play Getaway ticket packages (available for weekends in March and April) are offered for theatre lovers and include discounts to multiple plays with guaranteed seating, hotel discounts and a festival guide. The College Days Package (March 20-22) is an educational and professional development experience that includes a package of plays, seminars, post-show discussions and an insider's look behind the scenes. For New Play Getaway or College Days package information, call
Group Sales Manager Sarah Peters at (502) 585-1210 or GroupSales@ActorsTheatre.org. Humana Festival single ticket prices range from $24 to $55. For information or reservations call (502) 584-1205 or 1-800-4-ATL-TIX, or visit Actors Theatre's website at www.ActorsTheatre.org.

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