Summer 2021
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HAPPY BEYOND ...happy
Short play virtual reading series “Untranslatable words possess power and potential. They introduce us to phenomena previously veiled to us, that we hadn’t suspected could exist. Such words expand our horizons, usher in new worlds.” – adapted from Happiness Found in Translation Our next New Works in Action challenge is to explore the complexity of feelings we cannot quite name. Our fodder for theatrical thinking is a list of “happiness words” in other tongues that do not directly translate into English. |
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SEPTEMBER 21-26
I'VE SEEN IT ALL
by Canadian playwright Olivier Sylvestre
directed by Jeremy Keith Hunter
with Nicole Ruthmarie and Austin Farrow
sound design by David Crandall
videography by Lisa Hodsoll
choreography by Robert Bowen Smith
Happiness Word: Frisson (French) – A spine-tingling shiver. A sensation of thrill, combining fear and excitement. The ambiguous pleasure of the “chills”.
Synopsis: Ten year-olds Suzy and Alex meet that day, while playing in a snowdrift. In a second, Suzy sees it all : what their life will be, over the next century, frightening and filled with promises. A tale of anticipation, led by kids who see what love and life have in hand for them. Will they accept to go on with it?
SEPTEMBER 14-19
CHICKEN IS CONDEMNED TO BE FREE
by Jesse Jae Hoon
directed by Jeremy Keith Hunter animation by Taylor Verrett.
Sound design by David Crandall with the voices of Zoe Walpole and Ryan Sellers
Happiness Word: Charmolypi (Greek) – Sweet, joy-making sorrow. Sad, mourning joy. Happiness & sadness intermingled.
Synopsis: Two recently beheaded chickens, one an optimistic nihilist and the other completely freaking out, have just ten minutes to make and find peace. Hilarious and touching, this flight of visual magic reflects our brief time upon earth.
by Jesse Jae Hoon
directed by Jeremy Keith Hunter animation by Taylor Verrett.
Sound design by David Crandall with the voices of Zoe Walpole and Ryan Sellers
Happiness Word: Charmolypi (Greek) – Sweet, joy-making sorrow. Sad, mourning joy. Happiness & sadness intermingled.
Synopsis: Two recently beheaded chickens, one an optimistic nihilist and the other completely freaking out, have just ten minutes to make and find peace. Hilarious and touching, this flight of visual magic reflects our brief time upon earth.
CINDY THE DREAMER
by Julia Izumi
directed by Gillian Drake, animation by Taylor Verrett.
Sound design by David Crandall with Robert Bowen Smith and voices by Annie Ottati.
Happiness Word: Magari (Italian) – The wistful hope of “if only”. Maybe, possibly. In one’s dreams.
Synopsis: Cindy is a dreamer, with dreams that know no bounds. She is also a potato, but she doesn't know that yet. Discovering what she really is, remaining faithful to her imagination and the power of dreams, Cindy earns a surprising and satisfying fulfillment in this animated odyssey.
by Julia Izumi
directed by Gillian Drake, animation by Taylor Verrett.
Sound design by David Crandall with Robert Bowen Smith and voices by Annie Ottati.
Happiness Word: Magari (Italian) – The wistful hope of “if only”. Maybe, possibly. In one’s dreams.
Synopsis: Cindy is a dreamer, with dreams that know no bounds. She is also a potato, but she doesn't know that yet. Discovering what she really is, remaining faithful to her imagination and the power of dreams, Cindy earns a surprising and satisfying fulfillment in this animated odyssey.
JULY 15-18
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COLLECT CALL
by Marie-Claude St-Laurent and Marie-Ève Milot directed by Jose Zayas with: Jacqueline Guillen and Olivia Jampol. Happiness word: Etterpaklosksap (Norwegian) – After wisdom. The knowledge you gain from making a mistake. Synopsis: Without warning, Jo and her problems once again land in the life of Anne, her sister. Just like the fable of Blue Beard that left its mark on their childhood, there will be blood and images impossible to erase. How do you help someone close to you who is going through a period of deep trouble and dependance? Will Anne finally succeed in freeing herself from her sister’s mistakes? |
ADAM + ROSE
by Emma Gibson directed by Jose Zayas with: Maribel Martinez and Reynaldo Piniella. Happiness word: Charmolypi (Greek) _ Sweet, joy-making sorrow. Sad, mourning joy. Happiness and sadness intermingled. Synopsis: Adam is gone and Rose needs to speak to him. Even if it means lying on the forest floor. Sometimes, we just need to find new ways to communicate. A new play about the pain of separation and the love that will get us through. |
JUNE 24-27
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ARTICHOKE COUNTRY
by Laura Shamas directed by Gregory Keng Strasser with: Raven Lorraine Wilkes and Yesenia Iglesias Happiness word: Kintsugi (Japanese) _ The art of repairing broken pottery using gold lacquer. Rendering an object's fault lines beautiful and strong. Metaphorically, finding value, meaning, and even beauty in our vulnerability and flaws. Synopsis: in the future, an isolated military leader has a therapy session. |
FINAL CONTACT
by Alexandra Lin directed by Jacob Janssen with: Deanna Myers Happiness word: Hugfanginn (Icelandic) _ Mind-captured. To be enchanted and enthralled by someone or something. Become transfixed, possibly involuntarily. Synopsis: Astronaut Penny Leung is tasked with the mission of a lifetime: decommissioning the ISS after decades of groundbreaking service. That would all be hunky-dory if it weren't for the fact that she hasn't heard from Mission Control in over three weeks... And if she weren't all alone. With no one else thousands of miles above the Earth's atmosphere, Leung is left to confront her own worst enemy: herself. The great thing about space is that no one can hear you have an all-consuming nihilistic crisis full of existential dread. |
2020-2021 Reading Series!
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, our New Works in Action program has moved to a virtual meeting space on our YouTube Account.
Access to our readings is FREE and we invite our audience to stay for a talk-back with actors, director and playwright. Join us at the appointed time. Do not miss this opportunity since these virtual readings will only be available for a limited time.
By joining us for these readings, you help keep theater alive. We have more new scripts waiting in the wings. We hope you will consider making a donation now and help keep New Works in Action streaming!
Access to our readings is FREE and we invite our audience to stay for a talk-back with actors, director and playwright. Join us at the appointed time. Do not miss this opportunity since these virtual readings will only be available for a limited time.
By joining us for these readings, you help keep theater alive. We have more new scripts waiting in the wings. We hope you will consider making a donation now and help keep New Works in Action streaming!
Want to be the first to know when readings and workshops are happening at Spooky Action?
New Works in Action presents staged reading and workshops for the Greater Washington Area. Learn more in past workshops.
