THEATRE + COMEDY

Theatre Southwest presents the 13th Annual Festival of Originals. July 16 - July 31, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8:00 pm, Matinee, July 25 @ 3:00 pm.

Theatre Southwest continues to give new playwrights a chance to shine and Houstonians a chance to enjoy the work of up and coming authors and playwrights. This year the Festival will feature five original one-act plays, by five different playwrights with five different casts - all being premiered on the Theatre Southwest stage. An eclectic mix that never fails to please.

In the realm of professional theatre, for years The Alley has been staging new plays before they hit Broadway, but did you know that Theatre Southwest, a local community theatre, is in it's 13th season of giving new playwrights a chance to have their work staged? Theatre Southwest's Festival of Originals is taking the best of local writers' plays and offering them a venue for new unproduced works. It's a wonderful stepping-stone. Some of the writers have gone on to having works produced Off-Broadway.

This is a perfect example of how all throughout Houston we are stepping up to help foster the arts in our community. It's what keeps Houston the most vibrant city in the US!

Now in its 13th (shudder) year, we're very proud of our Festival of Originals. 5 previously unproduced 20 (or so) minute plays 5 directors, 5 casts, 5 times the entertainment. This year we had plays submitted from all over the world, and we chose the best from over 500 entries.

This eclectic mix never fails to please!

This year's offerings include:

Little Tricks by Carl L. Williams
directed by Malinda L. Beckham
With Kelly Walker, Jay Menchaca, John Stevens

A Gentler Place by Jeff Carter
directed by Lisa Schofield
With Katie Basch, John Hawthorne Smith, Russell Prince

Books on Tape by William Missouri Downs
directed by Kathy Drum
With Sudeane Holmes, Scott Holmes

Every Parent’s Friend by Ed Vela
directed by Trevor B. Cone
(assisted by Grace Cone)
With Patti White, Dottie McQuarrie, Sydney Dunlap, Sadie Brook, Katherine E. Brooke, Kate Samuelson

How Can I Tell If It’s Love? by Rand Higbee
directed by James Reed
With Stacy A. Spaeth, Vicki McCormick, Lance Stodghill, Eileen Tucker, Taylor Biltoft

Click here to read about the playwrights and the performers.

For more information or tickets: THEATRE SOUTHWEST 8944 Clarkcrest off Fondren, Houston, TX 77063 www.theatresouthwest.org  713 - 661 9505.