Line-up set for SBCT’s July 13-15 End of the Road New Play Festival & Beach Party

Line-up set for SBCT’s July 13-15 End of the Road New Play Festival & Beach Party
By Fran Thompson
For the fourth consecutive year, South Baldwin Community Theatre will devote an entire week to presenting new, never been performed short plays during July.
The 4th Annual End of the Road New Play Festival & Beach Party will be held July 13-15 an include a Friday evening opening night reception at 6:30 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7 p.m. On Saturday, plays will be performed on SBCT’s outdoor stage with patrons invited to bring their own food, beverages, folding chairs and blankets for an evening of theatre under the stars beginning at 7 p.m. The closing reception, talkback with the playwrights and presentation of awards will follow Sunday’s 2:30 p.m. performance.
Tickets are $10 for Friday and Sunday, including the receptions. Saturday night’s outdoor show is free, but donations will be accepted.
A panel of local judges selected the eight winning ten minute plays from more than 100 submissions. An additional slot was reserved for a student (18 and under) play. Winning plays may have had prior productions but may not have been published and are appropriate for a family friendly theatre. The winning playwrights will all be in attendance.
This format for festivals has been popular around the nation. The SBCT hopes this kind of event may inspire the community to get involved in the theater, according to event producer Laura
Pfizenmayer.
“We have a wonderful theater here. People have supported this, and that’s wonderful,” Pfizenmayer added.
The plays will be performed by local actors and use local directors. The performances are readings of the plays with minimal props and stage production – a kind of stripped down theater approach.
“These kinds of performances have been well-received in other markets because it allows for the audience to meet and talk with the writers before the show,’’ Pfizenmayer said.
This year’s student production is “Witchy Woman” by Laurent DeShazo to be directed by Ali Livingston.
End Of The Road Fest Selections
• “Girl Not Too Tall, Curly Black Hair” by Ellen Davis Sullivan to be directed by Pam Livingston.
• “One Eyed Jake” by Gretchen O”Halloran to be directed by Jan Hinnen.
• “Compos Mentis” by Marilyn Millstone to be directed by Jennifer Dawson.
• “My Father’s Flag” by Daniel Guyton and Colin Thon to be directed by Robert Gardner.
• “Never too Late” by John Meiner to be directed by Dixie Overly.
8 “With Open Eyes” by Karen Sabo to be directed by Mack Mayo.
• “David” by Jan Hinnen to be directed by Jessica Hyatt Jackson.
• “The Love of the Game” by Frank Shima to be directed by Frank Lehman.
SBCT is located at 2022 W. 2nd St. in Gulf Shores. For more info, call Pfizenmayer at 803-517-4920.