Developing Fresh Voices and PRODUCING THEATRE for the 21st Century
The TPS 2023 Virtual Reading Festival is supported in part by a grant from The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise & Public Policy at Vanderbilt University
AN OFFERING
Written by Emmalee Manes
Directed by Rachael Murray
January 21, 2023
7:30 p.m. CST
Grab a 6-pack and cowboy hat and jump on the pedal tavern — we’re heading to Broadway to experience Cain’s Nashville, one he’s spent thousands of year’s building in order to avoid God’s curse. Joined by his brother Abel, who is currently living as a dead tomato plant, they’ll show us all the city has to offer. But wait…are there signs that God is coming back to get what They’ve always wanted from Cain? And is that a tomato starting to grow from Abel’s dead branch? Y'all are going to have to pedal harder if you want to keep up.
Cast: Martina Doust, Madison Gunn, Jiovanni Daniel, Josh Inocalla, Chantéa Kirkwood, René Millán, and Reese Twilla
SOUL SWEEP
Written by Amina S. McIntyre
Directed by Alicia Haymer
January 22, 2023
7:30 p.m. CST
When Hattie, a woman in her 20s, is awakened one evening with her “soul unsettled,” she knows she will need to help the next person transition. Turning on the news, she finds a family friend, Torrey, is the victim of a police brutality case and is still holding on at the hospital. Torrey, however, is unwilling to accept his calling, or fate as others say. Will Hattie and Torrey both be able to accept their own callings and their places within the community?
Cast: Preston Crowder, Myah Jackson, Ethan H. Jones, Melissa McKnight, Brittany Childers Nelson, Christan Riley, Ré Roach, and Shawn Whitsell
ÉCO
Written by René Millán
Directed by Marcos Martinez
January 23, 2023
7:30 p.m. CST
El hombre is torn in two pieces: his Nativo side and his European side- his conquered side and the side of the conqueror. El hombre navigates through his recent and ancient familial history where religious dogma and the philosophies of the conqueror have formed him. El hombre seeks to end the cycle and find peace through a journey of anger, revenge, understanding, forgiveness, and integration.
Performed by René Millán
THE BASSET TABLE
Adapted by Jaclynn Jutting
Directed by Jaclynn Jutting
February 2, 2023
7:30 p.m. CST
A post-modern American update of Susanna Centlivre’s 1705 romp that explores the antics of gambler and widow Lady Reveller and her cousins’ choices to either avoid or race to the marriage altar. The Basset Table interrogates the illusion of power—so often based on the social constructs of gender, class and sexuality—which has real-life implication and influence in the game of life.
Cast: Candace-Omnira, Jack Chambers, Erik Hylko, Shawn Knight, Melissa McKnight, Prenda Mercado, Aaron Muñoz, Terry Occhiogrosso, Hayley Jo Pellis, Ré Roach, Rodrikus Springfield, Becky Wahlstrom, and David Wilkerson
M
Written by Kate McGunagle
Directed by David Ian Lee
Assistant Director Madison Poston
February 3, 2023
7:30 p.m. CST
Queer Montana writer Mary MacLane, whose 1902 confessional text I Await the Devil's Coming caused a literary and cultural sensation, wants fame, happiness, love, and truth - but at what cost? In telling Mary's story onstage for the first time, M examines what it is to document a woman's life and longings, on the page and on the screen, and what it means - in turn - to listen.
Cast: Kristen Fields, Leslie Marberry, Darci Napela, Elliott Winston Robinson, Melinda Sewak, and Fiona Soul
GREAT BEND
Written by Kenley Smith
Directed by Candace-Omnira
February 4, 2023
7:30 p.m. CST
Chronicles the collision of race and labor during the construction of a railroad tunnel through the West Virginia mountains immediately following the Civil War. Very high-stakes, human events eventually find their way into fanciful legend.
Cast: Michael Adcock, Lyndarious Arrington, Gentry Bledsoe, Jarvis Bynum, Preston Crowder, Alex Eaton, Erik Hylko, Josh Kiev, Byron King, JR Knowles, Sawyer Latham, Tia Lewis, Ré Roach, Michael Walley, and Shawn Whitsell
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