It’s that time of year again. The Actors Theater of Orcas Island presents the sixth annual local Playwrights’ Festival, created to encourage local island talent to show off their skills and to develop skills in writing, acting and directing.
Seven family friendly short plays by both new and seasoned playwrights will be presented over two weekends at the Grange on Friday and Saturday, April 29-30; and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 6-8.
Themes range from time travel to a reunion to a thrilling life threatening encounter.
The plays are:
“Digital Disconnect”: honors “our mutual frustration and ineptitude with computers.”
Written by Andrea Hendrick, Ruthie Newman and Mary Poletti, directed by Doug Bechtel and performed by Pam Evans, Maura O’Neill, Virginia Erhardt and Lin McNulty.
“Lockdown”: Two people trapped in a small office with only Shakespeare to save them from the unknown. Written by Michele Griskey, directed by George Zimbelman and performed by Regina Zwilling and Nick Hershenow.
“Necessary Risks”: If time travel becomes a reality, “cause and effect” suddenly becomes much more complicated. Written by Brigid Ehrmantraut, directed by Doug Bechtel and performed by Dove Dingman, Maggie Vinson and Cameron Smart.
“Round Trip Fare”: A chance encounter in an Orcas beauty salon may make a life-changing connection for one of its’ residents. Written by Lin McNulty, directed by Melinda Milligan and performed by Aaimee Johnson, Lesley Liddle/Angelica Mayo, Luann Pamatian, and Katie Zwilling.
“Test”: Karen, a party girl and former ballerina with a taste for recklessness, awaits the results of her pregnancy test. Written by Jennifer Brennock, directed by Robert Hall and performed by Jamie Mulligan-Smith and Chris Jones.
“The Request”: A story about life and death … and release. Written by Ron Herman, directed by Robert Hall and performed by Kaitlyn Pulju and Frank Michaels.
“The Reunion”: delivers humor, poignancy and surprise in its spotlight on four individuals 25 years after high school. Written by Susan Anderson, directed by Angelica Mayo and performed by Melinda Milligan, Annette Mazzarella, John Mazzarella, and Freddy Hinkle.
