Student Talent to Shine in Festival of New Plays

The Theatre Program at UAlbany’s Department of Music and Theatre is gearing up for Fresh Acts: A Festival of New Plays, where students will showcase their original works at the Performing Arts Center this week. The festival, now in its sixth year, is a collaborative effort involving more than 40 students who will present readings of six one-act plays that they have written, directed, stage-managed, and performed themselves. Under the guidance of Kate Walat, associate professor and playwright-in-residence, as well as the artistic director of Fresh Acts, the students have been working hard to bring their creative visions to life.

The plays selected for the festival were chosen through a competitive blind submission process, with final selections made by Brooklyn playwright Amina Henry. The performances will take place on Wednesday at 8 p.m., Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 3 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Friday performance will also include “fresh bites,” featuring excerpts of works-in-progress by students currently in UAlbany’s Advanced Playwriting class.

The festival aims to provide UAlbany playwrights with the opportunity to see their plays come to life on stage, as actors breathe life into their characters and directors explore the plays’ theatrical potential. This year’s lineup promises to showcase the diverse creative voices and perspectives of UAlbany’s community of writers and theater-makers, with two different programs of plays presented by two ensembles of student performers.

Tickets for Fresh Acts: A Festival of New Plays can be purchased on the PAC website. For more information, contact PAC at 518-442-3995 or email [email protected] Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to witness the talent and creativity of UAlbany’s up-and-coming playwrights and performers at the Performing Arts Center this week.