Monday, April 21, 2014

"ACTC New Play Festival" Interview #1



  Taking the stage this weekend is the ACTC New Play Festival - it will feature 10 student and faculty written plays (short scenes, monologues, ten-minutes, one acts).

   Sounds like fun! Here to tell us more about it is one of the directors - Huntington's own Jonathan Joy!

   Here's our e-interview with Jon:

Q: Tell us about the festival.

Jon: ACTC’s first ever New Play Festival highlights student and faculty written work. 10 new plays will be performed. All were written as a part of a Playwriting class that I taught in the Fall of 2013.

Q: Which plays are you directing? 

Jon: I’m coordinating the festival and directing seven of the 10 pieces.

Q: Why did you want to be part of this event?

Jon: I’ve been a part of a lot of new play festivals regionally and in other areas. I am usually involved as a writer, though I’ve done some acting and directing with these too. At this point in my life and career, I am principally interested in new works. I think Shakespeare is great and I love musical theatre, but developing new characters and stories is my primary goal. I’ve wanted to do something like this at ACTC for a long time. I always tell my students that “Everyone has a story to tell.” This festival shows that they have some terrific, imaginative, original stories. 

Q: Is it tough putting these plays together in such a short time? 

Jon: It’s not really tough to put together a 5- to 15-minute piece and get it ready for the stage in two or three weeks. What is tough is doing it with 10 plays at once. It’s been an adventure.  

Q: Why would you recommend this to our readers? 

Jon: It’s fun! The pieces are well written and we have an excellent cast. It’s also not often that you get to see the world premiere of someone’s play.

Q: Tell us when and where the show will be offered.

Jon: The plays will be performed April 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. and April 27 at 2:30 p.m. at Ashland Community and Technical College. Tickets are only $5 for the public and $2 for ACTC students and are available at the door.

Thanks, Jon!

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