Houston Texas & Portland Maine—thought-provoking, intercultural, ensemble theatre!
FROM TARA GAINES AND THE HOUSTON PRESS:
"ReadFest might also turn out to be the theatrical social event of the fall."
“ReadFest created the first forum ever in Houston where theatre professionals from various underground theatres arranged staged readings - which helped diverse playwrights develop their play.”
- William R Duell, Houston regional rep for the Dramatists Guild
& a board member of Wordsmyth Theater Co. in Houston.
“I never before saw the idea of multiple, smaller theatre groups banding together under one umbrella like that of ReadFest. It really was inspiring to open up the program and see the names of up-and-coming and established small companies who are already well-respected in the community sharing the same stages under the ReadFest banner.”
- Seán Patrick Judge, Actor (Houston: Black Lab, Catastrophic, Main Street, Mildred’s Umbrella, Stages Repertory, Texas Repertory), Member of the Actors' Equity Association.
“Supports local artists. Interesting, new work.”
“I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I did. Fantastic!"
“Entertaining, different, thought provoking.”
“A great idea of getting a group of theaters to participate, would like to see more collaborations like that.”
ReadFest audience members
"I will feel the beautiful energy of this presentation, and be graced by it! I'm so honored that you guys are reading Time is the Mercy of Eternity! How I wish I could be there to listen, to celebrate the concept behind the ReadFest offering, and to thank you for your work in the world! Joy onstage always!"
Deb Margolin, Playwright & Performance Artist,
Yale Theater Studies Faculty
Highlights from 2015 Readfest Houston
THURSDAY 10/22
BLACK LAB THEATRE — 8pm
Beth Kills Birds by Jordan Jaffe,
directed by Troy Scheid
Save the planet, save the birds or hook up trying? Wind energy specialist Beth Greenbridge meets her match in eco-crusader bird expert Michael Zrinski in Beth Kills Birds, a romantic comedy about environmental politics and the blood red side of "going green"
FRIDAY 10/23
FRIDAY NIGHT RECEPTION—6:30pm
HUNE COMPANY — 7pm
Exit Strategy by Ike Holter
directed by Julia Traber
A fiery, riveting work from the award-winning writer of Hit the Wall, Exit Strategy is a taut, edge-of-your-seat drama about the future of public education from a vital new voice in American playwriting.
LANDING THEATRE — 8pm
Daughters of the Moon
by Reginald Edmunds
directed by Timothy Eric
Daughters of the Moon follows a runaway slave girl and a former plantation mistress wanted for murder as they embark on a perilous journey North towards freedom, guided by an Ancient African Goddess.
SATURDAY 10/24
WORDSMYTH THEATER — 5pm
Dreams/ D-E-F-E-R-R-E-D
written by Mihály Magz
directed by Melissa Flowers
lonely, but never alone.
alone, but always lonely.
.
ENSEMBLE THEATRE — 7pm
Front Porch Society by Melda Beaty
directed by Eileen Morris
Marks, Mississippi, November 4, 2008. America is on the eve of electing its first Black President. Amidst the town's excitement over Barack Obama, Carrie Honey grieves her son's tragic death and after years of failed attempts to seek justice, Carries is no longer interested in life's celebrations, but when a scandal in town rocks this historic day, a past secret is revealed that renews her faded faith.
NEXT ITERATION THEATER — 8pm
Time is the Mercy of Eternity: A Meditation in Four Acts
by Deb Margolin
directed by dianne k. webb
A suicide bomber, a bereft couple, a murderous ex-fiancé, and a woman ensconced on a department store bed unwilling to budge come together in Deb Margolin’s quartet of interconnected short pieces examining the nature of violence, and its relation to the psyche and the human body. “Like a cameo with an opera inside…a testament to the power of passionate utterance. ”—Village Voice