NW19 - Date Error on Audition Packet

There was a typo on the Audition Packet issued yesterday, 10/1/22. 

On one page, it listed FIRST MEETING as 10/3 instead of the correct date, which is 10/13.

The packet HERE has been corrected.

:)

NW19 AUDITIONS!!!

The 19th Annual New Works Festival
Times Two

featuring plays by
Amelia Schafer
Erin Dornan
Alyssia Menezes

directed by Matthew B. Zrebski

GENERAL AUDITIONS:
Monday 10/10 3:45p - 5:30p

CALLBACK AUDITIONS
Tuesday 10/11 3:45p - 5:30p
Wednesday 10/12 3:45p - 5:30p

MANDATORY FIRST CAST MEETING
Thursday 10/13 3:45p - 5:30p

Please click HERE to download the Audition Packet. Please do not rush through the packet. There is a lot of information that students and their guardians need to thoroughly read. Follow the directions VERY CAREFULLY!

Please click HERE to download the rough drafts of Parts 1 and 2 of the production. Please note these are drafts, not final scripts - rewrites will occur throughout the process. Part 3 will be made available by the end of 10/8. All actors are expected to be familiar with the rough drafts of Parts 1, 2, and 3 by auditions.

As always, email me at teen.west.project@gmail.com if you have questions or need clarification.

NW19: Writer Announcement and Festival Adjustments

The format of the festival will be slightly different than previously announced. But the concept is the same.

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…

Part 1 (10 minutes)

by Amelia Schafer

CHARACTERS - 1

Part 2 (15 minutes)

by Erin Dornan

CHARACTERS - 1, 2

Part 3 (15 minutes)

by Alyssia Menezes

CHARACTERS - 1, 2, 3, 4

Part 4 (20 minutes)

by Amelia Schafer

CHARACTERS - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Part 5 (15 minutes)

Devised - with the playwrights input

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

In addition, the audition dates have been changed.  They are now:

October 10, 11, 12 from 3:45p - 5:30p

Audition Packets and excerpts from the drafts in progress will be published on October 3.

As always, feel free to reach out if you have inquiries:

matthew.b.zrebski@gmail.com

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