(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Need a laugh, a bit of drama, some food for thought? Then shake off the winter blues at Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center’s Stages: A Short Play Festival on April 1 to 3, 2022 at duCret School of the Arts in Plainfield. Dragonfly, a nonprofit community theater, is presenting world and US premiere one-act plays this spring. The playwrights are from as far away as Gibraltar and as close as Metuchen, and the plays all examine stages of life or stages of performing.
“Ten Minutes” is by Julian Felice, a playwright from Gibraltar. The tragicomedy tells the story of two characters attempting to make the most of their brief existence—the ten minutes they exist in the play. It is directed by Dragonfly Artistic Director Catherine LaMoreaux.
In “twang” by Chris Eli Blak of Louisville, Kentucky, the focus is on the interaction between a small-town store clerk in Texas and the country music loving Black man passing through. Their conversation becomes one of passions, dreams, differences, and the limitations of labeling ourselves. “twang” is directed by Diane L. Parker.
“Egg Salad” by Jeanne Johnston of High Bridge, NJ explores family dynamics in which middle age sisters attempt to find out why their mother has begun daily visits to her husband’s grave. “Egg Salad” is directed by Plainfield resident Richard Lear.
“Dungeons” by Matt Levy of New York City centers on Dungeons and Dragons master Ashley who desperately wants her younger, house-arrested brother to take the game as seriously as she does. Directed by Dragonfly Artistic Associate Anna Paone.
“Lady Macbeth is a Freshman in the Ensemble” by Molly Babos of New York City and Metuchen, takes on the drama of high school productions. The rehearsals are all business as usual until freshman Jaycee finds out her director’s biggest secret and decides it’s her time to shine. Directed by Dragonfly member Julia Stibich.
Dragonfly is committed to multiculturalism and diversity along with development of new plays. All of the Stages plays are world premieres with the exception of “Ten Minutes,” which is a U.S. premiere.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center Stages: Short Play Festival takes place April 1 to 3, Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 3:00pm, at duCret School of the Arts, 1030 Central Ave, Plainfield, NJ. $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. For more info 908-930-3210. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door.
