The reading series offers audiences "the rare opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a play in progress as well as the chance to talk to the playwrights about their work."
Each of the plays in the festival will be presented in script-in-hand performances with not sets or costumes — "just new scripts and a company of performers, directors and dramaturgs," according to Geva.
Several of the participating writers are local. David Lamas is a senior at Brighton High School and his play, Lágrimas (Tears), was selected from entrants to the Young Writers Showcase. Craig DeLancey has had three plays featured as part of Geva Regional Writers Showcase and his play, Build, was selected from this season's showcase. The adaptors of Dracula – The Shape of Evil are also Rochester-based.
Stage and screen veteran Jenny O'Hara ("Big Love") and ("King of Queens") joins the cast of Sirens for her debut at Geva Theatre Center.
Here's the lineup for the Geva "What's Next" Festival.
June 10 at 7 PM Clementine in the Lower Nine
June 11 at 7 PM: Lágrimas and Build
June 13 at 7 PM: Clementine in the Lower Nine
June 18 at 7 PM: Sirens
June 19 at 7 PM: Dracula - The Shape of Evil
June 20 at 7 PM: Sirens
June 21 at 3 PM: Dracula - The Shape of Evil
Tickets for all Festival events are free, but reservations are recommended. Tickets go fast, so call (232) GEVA or reserve online at www.gevatheatre.org.
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Geva Theatre Center is Rochester's leading professional theatre and the most attended regional theatre in New York state. Founded in 1972, Geva attracts over 160,000 patrons annually, including more than 16,000 students. The 552-seat Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage offers a wide variety of shows, from musicals to American and world classics. The 180-seat Ron & Donna Fielding Nextstage is home to Geva's own series of cutting-edge drama, comedy and musical theatre.
Mark Cuddy is artistic director of Geva.