Ignition is a festival dedicated to supporting and fostering a community of emerging and established playwrights and their developments of new works. The festival will run July 16-19; all readings and performances are free and open to the public. An opening-night party will be held July 16 in the Victory Gardens Theater lobby.
Here is the festival line-up at a glance:
July 15: Confessions of a P.I.M.P, written and performed by André De Shields.
Through song, dance and spoken word, De Shields tells the story of "Jelly Belly"'s journey from Baltimore to Broadway.
July 17: Queen by Madhuri Shekar, directed by associate artistic producer Joanie Schultz.
As she prepares to publish a career-defining new scientific essay, Sanam discovers she may have made a mistake and battles with the decision of whether or not to look the other way, or stand by her principles.
July 18: Slay & Eat by A. Zell Williams, directed by Henry Wishcamper
An influential black politician and ex-girlfriend of Obama, based in Chicago's South Side, struggles to weather a scandal. July 18: The Last Book of Homer by José Rivera, directed by Jonathan Berry
A band of brothers and ex-military guys nicknamed God, Buddha, Weasel and Joseph Smith come to Mexico for the rescue of fellow sibling Numb Nuts, who has been kidnapped by a drug cartel.
July 19: Muthaland written and performed by Minita Gandhi, directed by Heidi Stillman
A dark comedy about culture, identity, spirituality and sexuality, following a young Indian-American woman's retreat to her homeland.
July 19: Office Hour by Julia Cho, directed by artistic director Chay Yew
Writing professor Gina struggles with a difficult student whose violent prose walks the fine line between troubled and dangerous.
July 19: Sadie River’s Drag Ball on the Lawn by Basil Kreimendahl, directed by Bonnie Metzgar
Sadie River attempts to educate her working-poor family in the art of passing as upper-class through drag performance.
The festival will also feature special events, such as an artist meet and greet, a playwrights' panel discussion, cocktail hour and more.
For more information call (773) 871-3000 or visit VictoryGardens.
