June 9th-18th, Under St. Marks & ART/NY Studios
Second run in July at Theatre Row (dates TBA)
Projects were chosen by invitation, and include full productions, online projects, devised pieces, solo shows and readings. All the writers are women (both emerging and established), with a majority of women acting, directing, producing and in technical roles.
Projects include the NY Premiere of EM Lewis’ searing new play, “The Gun Show,” and Lia Romeo’s dark comedy, “Baby Boom,” two plays about guns and violence.
The festival is spearheaded by Project Y Theatre Company, co-founded and led by Michole Biancosino and Andrew W. Smith.
JUNE EVENTS:
Thursday, June 9th:
Online Release of Podcast Series:
“Necessary Exposure: The Female Playwright Project” by Jody Christopherson
Playwrights featured include Chiori Miyagawa, Lisa Huberman, Kara Lee Corthron, Penny Jackson, Diana Oh, Kim Gainer and more.
Saturday, June 11th
Online Release of Article:
"Beyond Parity" by Abby Fenbert
We asked essayist and playwright, Abby Fenbert to answer the question, "Why do we need more women in theatre?" Her response is this astounding essay that inspired us to change our thinking from #GenderParity to #BeyondParity.
Sunday, June 12th at 6:30pm Under St. Marks Theatre (94 St. Marks Place):
#ParityPlays SHORTS – a production of new plays 50% or more women casts. Playwrights include Lauren Yee, Erin Mallon, Sarah Dunivant, Beth Blick-Raasquist, Gina Femia, Julienne Hairston, Kat Mustatea and Tasha Gordon-Solmon.
Followed by a KICK OFF PARTY in association with WeBroadway.org.
Join the artistic leaders of two women-led companies to kick off our summer festival with live entertainment, refreshments, and conversation at this social event.
Monday, June 13th at 7:15pm ART/NY Bruce Mitchell Room (520 8th Avenue).
New EPIC Play reading:
Pulp Verite, by Crystal Skillman (NYIT award winner)
Directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Skillman’s newest work plunges head first into the art of waging war and social media.
Tuesday, June 14th at 6:30pm Under St. Marks Theatre (94 St. Marks Place).
New Play Production:
The Onion Show, by Katie Hartman
An onion is like a human: thin skinned layers that, when cut, slowly ooze their stinky sticky insides. Or rather, a human is like an onion: layers of misconception and ignorance are peeled back to reveal that meaty core. Or maybe you just take off a sweater cause it's hot inside your office. Katie Hartman (Skinny Bitch Jesus Meeting; Gypsy Danger) plays many characters in this vulnerable show.
Followed by
New Comedy and Sketch: “Humorless Feminist Comedy” Show
Hosted by Katie Hartman
Thursday, June 16th at 7:15pm ART/NY South Oxford Space Great Room (138 South Oxford, Brooklyn):
New LGBTQ Play reading:
Permitted, by Kirya Traber
In 1948, a once (in)famous Harlem renaissance performer known for gender bending and public homosexual exploits, Gladys Bentley, struggles to find her place as an artist and individual in a climate where McCarthyism and anti-gay sentiment are literally and figuratively the law of the land. Directed by Nia Withersoon.
Saturday, June 18th at 2:30pm Under St. Marks Theatre (94 St. Marks Place):
New Play Production:
“Guilt Complexion” by Open Booth Theatre
The newest devised work from the female-led company, Open Booth, a New York-based theatre company dedicated to creating new plays that explore big ideas through an intimate lens.
Followed by a New #ParityPlay Reading:
Bridesmaids by Melanie Marnich
From the writer of “The L Word” and “Big Love” comes a new comedy about best friends, turning 40, ugly dresses, and what can go wrong when one bridesmaid tells the truth about marriage.
JULY EVENTS: Dates and times TBA
All Shows at Theatre Row in The Studio Theatre (42nd Street, New York, NY)
The Gun Show
NYC Premiere by E.M. Lewis, directed by Shelley Butler, featuring Andrew W. Smith. From a farming community in rural Oregon to the big cities of Los Angeles and New York, playwright E. M. Lewis takes aim at her own relationship with firearms.
Baby Boom
By Lia Romeo, directed by Michole Biancosino
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the perfect couple... except for the baby they desperately want but are unable to have. When a machine gun dressed as a baby shows up on their doorstep, they decide to raise it as their own. A play about perfect towns, shiny people, and the tricky language of blame.
Steubenville
By Eleanor Bishop, performed by Molly Griggs
A participatory theatrical event where one performer leads the audience through the material of the Steubenville case.
Nice Tits!
A new solo show by Amy Marcs about breast cancer and Barbie dolls.
Demon Sorority
A New Devised Production from the writers/creators of My Lingerie Play, Leta Tremblay, Mariah MacCarthy and Diana Oh.
New Play Readings by:
Cecilia Copeland (Artistic Director, NY Madness)
Antu Yacob (Artistic Director, Shaggae’s Song Collective)
Addie Walsh (Emmy Award-winning writer)
Sarah Dunivant (former director, Spaghetti Sundays)
Elephant Run District (Aimee Todoroff, Artistic Director)
