Six new, unpublished, unproduced plays will be presented during four days of staged readings by 21 actors, with six first-time directors at the helm, for Aloha Theatre’s 25th annual Original Play Festival.
Festival dates are Aug. 15-18, with each evening’s readings beginning at 7:30 p.m. A brief discussion between the audience, directors and casts immediately follows the readings.
The festival opens Wednesday (Aug. 15) with a triple bill: “Maybe it Won’t Happen,” a dramatic comedy by Ron Radice, directed by Yasir Bey; “Ten Minute Warning,” a play about the recent false missile alert, by Patricia Kenet, directed by Victor Lugo; and “Paindemonium,” a verse play about addiction by Joyce Fontana, directed by Randall Shirley.
Thursday (Aug. 16) features “Going Wild,” a timely drama of intrigue by Peter Snoad and directed by Nikki Johnson. On Friday, Aug. 17, “October Kiss,” by Brian Slayton, a bittersweet account of a cancer patient who becomes a YouTube sensation, will be directed by Harli Meech and mentored by Jaquelynn Collier.
The festival closes Saturday, Aug. 18, with “The Uninvited Guest,” a theatre of the absurd piece by Maryanne Truax, directed by Rich Mears.
The acting company consists of Allen Eggleston, Brett McCardle, Catherine Williams, Dan Hoff, Dan Pitkow, Ellen Farnsworth, Gabriella Fritz, Harli Meech, Jaquelynn Collier, Jeannie Kutsunai, Jen Ancheta, Loren Lindborg, Maianna Taylor, Martin Dwyer, Reggie Koffman, Renee Monell, Rich Mears, Sheena Higuera, Stephen Alves, Topher Mann and Victor Lugo.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, there will be a free public potluck reception honoring all festival participants.
Tickets are $5 per night. For more information, call 322-9924, or email tiffanyk@alohatheatre.com.