NW19 Writer Selection Delay

We are in an unfortunate situation.

There were fewer writer applications this season than in the entire history of the New Works Festival. There were not enough applicants to even fulfill the concept of the show. As a result, a reassessment of the show needs to take place - as does the process for selecting the writers.

To the writers who applied, you will be notified as a soon as we can about about what is happening. 

To be clear, we will not re-open the application process. The writers who applied did so with integrity and care - honored the deadlines - and we will not, out of "need", extend the opportunity to anyone else.

That said, we will also not simply select all who applied, given the small numbers. We are looking at many options for how to move forward with the festival.

Please check this blog daily for updates.

NW19 - WRITING APPLICATION!

***ALERT***

The applications are due on SA 9/10 at 10:00a. 

All are encouraged to apply, regardless of experience.

It is important to have a collaborative spirit and embrace the chance to work with other playwrights on this project given the process and concept.

I can't wait to see what is submitted!!!

As always - feel free to email with any and all questions / concerns. No question is "too small", "dumb", "unnecessary". The channels of communication are open if you need me for anything!

Email: teen.west.project@gmail.com

Click HERE to download the app. You may also email me directly, and I can send it to you in an attachment. You may also see Ms. Talerico for a hard copy if you prefer that.

New Works 19 LAUNCH!

Lincoln High School Drama

in association with

Playwrights West

presents

The 19th Annual New Works Festival

Times Two

written by Lincoln High School Students

directed by Matthew B. Zrebski

December 1 - 3; 8-10

Black Box Theatre

The Lincoln Drama New Works Festival enters its 19th year and in a brand new facility! This annual production always offers a unique opportunity for young writers to pen plays about teenaged themes with all teenaged characters to be played by teenaged performers. Emphasis is placed on highly theatrical scenarios and style so as to separate theatre from other media like film and television. There is also the allowance for mature content and bold exploration of difficult subject matter in order to allow a responsible dialogue to take place amongst the young artists with the guidance of responsible adults. In this way, theatre transcends entertainment and provokes important conversations within the community of Lincoln students, their families, their teachers, and friends. It is one of the only festivals of its kind in the entire country and remains a highlight of the Lincoln Drama Theatre Season. 

In this season’s festival, five playwrights investigate: when stripped of identity, how does one consider their full capacity…to promote joy, to cause sorrow, to commit atrocities, to heal, to be many things, to be nothing… What lies within each of us? What is nature? What is nurture? Where is cause? What is the effect? 

A lone teenager, named 1, awakes in an empty, blank room…a canvass on which to paint their life… Before they know it, their consciousness begins to double – over and over…until the room is flooded with the many facets of human nature…

The festival will feature 16 roles. Many of them will be written to be played by an actor of any gender. The conceit of the show is that with each new play (“part”), the cast doubles in size, with the characters from the previous play continuing on (with the same actors) to the next. The roles are all “numbers”. The character breakdown is, therefore, like this. 

Part 1 (approx. 10 minutes) 

1 

Part 2 (approx. 10 minutes) 

1, 2 

Part 3 (approx. 15 minutes) 

1, 2, 3, 4 

Part 4 (approx. 15 minutes) 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 

Part 5 (approx. 25 minutes) 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 

The plays will be written in order, with each playwright delivering their “part” to the next playwright. That playwright must work to continue the characters’ journeys while introducing the new characters. 

The style of the piece is full surrealism. The tone may alternate wildly between comedy, tragedy, suspense, romance, etc… The writing process will be fast paced. Two of the pieces won’t even be completed until after rehearsals begin. Rewrites will occur throughout the entire process.

General Information for Interested Writers

-Writer Applications will be available 8/31

-They will be due on SA 9/10 at 10:00a

-Writers may also audition

General Information or Actors

-Auditions are 10/3, 10/4, 10/5

-Audition packets will be available 9/26

-IMPORTANT!!! - Note that tech rehearsals for this production are the weekend prior to Thanksgiving Week. Some families choose to leave the weekend before Thanksgiving for travel. Unfortunately, any student in this situation will not be considered for the show - as either an actor or technician. The entire company is required to be present on SA 11/19 and SU 11/20. The show then takes a week off from 11/21 - 11/27 and resumes with Dress Rehearsals on 11/28.

Information about Stage Management and other Tech positions will be coming within the next two weeks.

If there are any questions, you may always reach me at:

teen.west.project@gmail.com

NW18 - Soundtrack Playlist

SOUNDTRACK

Hello all!

I hope you are having a terrific holiday week so far.

Below is the link to the playlist where drafts of the soundtrack will be uploaded.

There is a trio of tracks there now.  Another upload will happen sometime Friday 11/26.  And another will happen sometime on Sunday 11/28.

As I said, I strongly urge you to listen and visualize your blocking so as to get familiar with timing.

These are drafts, and adjustments will happen, especially once we get into tech, but these tracks are a strong foundation and large changes are unlikely.

I'm very proud of your vocal performances.  It's been a pleasure listening to your choices.  Such a talented group of actors.  And it's certainly inspired my composition process in wonderful ways.

Excited to bring this show to full fruition with you.  It's a privilege to work with you.

Best always,

MZ

LISTEN TO NW18 - OUTSIDE THE BOX

NW18 - CAST - The One-Armed Golden Man

Thank you for coming out to audition.

Here is the cast for The One-Armed Golden Man.

Note that some of you had conflicts for 1st rehearsal on T 10/26. If you are one of the named characters, I need you to attend this first rehearsal if you are to remain in the role.

If you are in the TREE CHORUS and had a listed conflict for T 10/26, I need you to attend at least the first 30 minutes from 4:00p - 4:30p if you are to remain in this role.

Email me with issues / questions / concerns: teen.west.project@gmail.com

CAST

BALE

Jared Reynolds

ANNIE

Audrey Happel

EMILY

Ainsley Brown

COLLIN

Jackson Hanf

TREE CHORUS

Niku Edlund-Farsad

Meyer Owens

Ema Hoang

Update - After School Casting Delay

SMALL DELAY ALERT!

The cast for The One-Armed Golden Man will be posted by 10:00p tonight, Saturday 10/23.

Thank you for your patience. 

NW18 - Auditions for After School Actors

AUDITIONS: NW18 "AFTER SCHOOL" ACTORS

For those not in the IB/Intermediate Class* who wish to audition for NW18, here are the details!

WHEN?

Auditions will be held TH 10/21 from 4:00p - 5:30p

WHAT?

Auditions will consist of readings from the script, The One-Armed Golden Man by Josh Fravel. This is the play for which you are auditioning. There are 4 roles, with the potential for a small expansion. The script may be found HERE. Please note that this is the "audition draft" and will undergo changes as the process moves forward. The audition may also consist of some movement work, so dress comfortably.

SCHEDULE?

Actors in this after school portion of the show must be available:

10/26 - 11/16; T/TH from 4:00p - 5:30p (rehearsals)

11/18 - 11/19; 4:00p - 6:30p (full company rehearsals)

12/1 - 12/3; 4:00p - 7:30p (tech)

12/6 - 12/7; 5:30p - 9:30p (dress)

12/8 - 12/11; 5:30p - 9:30p (performances)

CONFLICTS?

Few if any conflicts will be accepted. You may always ask, but given the short amount of prep time for this production, this must be your #1 extracurricular priority.

*IB/INTERMEDIATE ACTORS?

You may actually audition for the after school portion of the show even if you are already in the IB/Intermediate class. BUT...casting priority will be given to those who can only participate after school.

HOW?

If you wish you sign up to audition, you must do so via email to Matt Zrebski. Do this ASAP - and include any questions. He will return your email with an audition form that you'll need to have ready to turn in at auditions on 10/21.  Email him at: teen.west.project@gmail.com