Atlantic showcases playwrights from across the country "with boldly adventurous new plays that join writers, directors, and actors from different cultural backgrounds" while focusing on Latino writers in the American theatre.
Kristoffer Diaz, who wrote the 2010 Pulitzer Prize-finalist play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, is among writers represented in the series.
Atlantic's artistic leadership associate Jaime Castaneda, organizer of the new festival, said in a statement, "We wanted to mash-up new artists and allow the time and resources for these plays to take off. This festival will highlight a handful of Latino writers doing refreshing and provocative work. These young writers, all under the age of 35, are tackling stories with new takes on identity and multiculturalism."
The Mixfest includes:
Aug. 12 at 3 PM
A Bed the Size of Portugal
By Mat Smart (Minneapolis)
Directed by Wes Grantom
"Oscar hasn't slept in months because his wife Ollie snores like a Mack truck. Their search for peace and happiness takes them from New York City to Mirandela, Portugal. Smart uses an assorted group of characters to tell a touching story about love and death." With Sue Jean Kim, Stephen Plunkett, Susan Kelechi Watson, Otto Sanchez and Maria-Christina Oliveras. Aug. 12 at 5:30 PM
Broadsword
By Marco Ramirez (Los Angeles)
Directed by Jaime Castaneda
"Miami-native Marco Ramirez's Broadsword is a story about a heavy metal band from the 1990s in New Jersey needing to reunite. The lead singer has gone missing and is presumed dead after six months. The only possible way to resurrect him is to play music that may dabble in the occult." With Michael Chernus, Jeremy Shamos, Erik Jensen, Katie Kreisler, Jordan Lage and Alex Webb.
Aug. 13 at 3 PM
Chimi-Changas and Zoloft
By Fernanda Coppel (New York)
Directed by Jose Zayas
"Sonia, currently on a Chimi-Changas and Zoloft binge, has left her family to do some soul-searching. Her daughter Jackie conspires with her friend to bring Sonia back home, all while their fathers continue their ongoing secret relationship. We witness this irreverent story through the eyes of two brazen teenagers trying to keep their families intact." With Liam Torres, Teddy Canez, Maggie Bofill, Carmen Zilles and Noemi Del Rio.
Aug. 13 at 5:30 PM
One Night in the Valley
By Mando Alvarado, Raul Castillo, Tanya Saracho and Jerry Ruiz
Four short plays by native South Texas playwrights
Directed by Daniel Jaquez, Jerry Ruiz and Jaime Castaneda
"These darkly funny stories take place on a desolate highway somewhere in the Texas desert. Each play uniquely addresses people wrestling with tough and usually bizarre circumstances." With Audrey Esparza, J.J. Perez, Dave Anzuelo, Jorge Cordova, Vaneik Echeverria, Emma Ramos, Sandra Delgado, Bernardo Cubria and Juan Villa.
Aug. 14 at 1 PM
F**king Vigwan
By Kristoffer Diaz (New York)
Directed by Stephen Adly Guirgis
"This abrasively entertaining play is absurd and profane. Diaz creates an outrageous world where anything goes including sword fighting and zombies. Warning: play contains sex, drugs, police brutality, foul language, necrophilia, and neo-colonialism." With Peter Macklin, Sid Williams, Elisabeth Rodriguez, Liz Canavan, Adrian Martinez, Liza Fernandez and Allison Moy.
Aug. 14 at 3 PM
Mala Hierba
By Tanya Saracho (Chicago)
Directed by Jerry Ruiz
"Tanya is a Chicago-based writer who penned this full-length play from her one act in One Night in the Valley earlier this spring. Set at the southwest border between Mexico and Texas, it charts the downward spiral of a woman struggling to keep her life together." With Emma Ramos, Sandra Delgado, Maritza Stratton and Ana Nogueira.
Atlantic Stage 2 is at 330 W. 16th Street. For more details, visit www.atlantictheater.org.
