LaBute directs Helter Skelter, for which press notes read, "A husband and wife meet for coffee during the Christmas shopping rush. An attempted cellphone call opens a gaping wound in the side of their seemingly happy relationship."

Bjorn Johnson stages the world premiere of LaBute's The New Testament, which takes place on the eve of a Broadway production where "a writer and his producer try to recast an important role in a new play, much to the chagrin of the original actor."

Both one-acts are presented through Sept. 12.

The festival company includes includes cast members Bjorn Johnson, Persia White, Robert Lesko, Laura Flanagan, Wyatt Fenner, Peter James Smith, Tim Banning, Anna Khaja, Richard Knolla, Ayana Hampton, Miriam Glover, Michael Franco, Andrew Schlessinger, Dustin Eastman, Pilar Alvarez, Sharon Sharth, Charles Reese, Willie Carpenter, Barbara Schofield, Bruce Dickenson, Matt Borrel, Alex Wright, Tina Preston, Amanda Weier, Ben Burdick, David Castellani, Shawn MacAuley, Ina Russell, Kevin McCorkle, Rod Sell and Colin Walker.

Designing "First Look" are Myung Hee Cho and Sarah Ryung Clement (scenic design); Charlie Otte, Chris Wojcieszyn and Edward Marks (lighting design); Peter Carlstadt, John Zalewski, Mark Wheaton and Weba Garretson (sound design); and Chris Wright and Christy M. Hauptman (costume design). For tickets visit OpenFist, or phone (323) 882-6912.