The Gilbert Theater’s annual PlayFest is back for its thirteenth year. The highly anticipated event of the summer theater season, PlayFest is a three-day play festival featuring plays by North Carolina playwrights and actors. This year’s event will be held from June 26 to 28. Friday and Saturday night shows are at 8 p.m., and Sunday’s show is at 2 p.m. There are no advance ticket sales. Tickets are purchased at the door for a minimum donation of $10.
Started in the summer of 2013 by former Artistic Director Robyne Parrish, PlayFest was created in an effort to highlight the up-and-coming playwrights from the local area and state. It’s also become an opportunity for actors who have previously not been cast in the regular season to have time on the stage and showcase their talent. Since Parrish’s time as AD, her predecessors have continued the tradition and brought the hidden talents to the stage for the world to see.
The process of choosing the plays is the task of a few committees. The first is responsible for taking in applications. The second is tasked with reading and selecting the plays. This committee also gives feedback to the playwrights whose work was not chosen. Once selections have been made, playwrights are offered the opportunity to direct their own plays or pass the torch on to someone else who has shown interest in directing. From the beginning to the end, the creators of these works are completely involved. It’s a true artistic collaboration between writer and theater.
PlayFest isn’t just about the plays. It’s about the people. It’s a chance for those who have been thinking about taking on new roles in the theater to take the reins and grow in their skills and passion.
In the past, there have been 5 plays featured for the weekend, but this year is setting a record with seven. This year’s lineup includes:
Mama, I Love You by E.J. Batiste
Olive Juice by Michael Houck
The Archive by Cas Corum
Leaping Tall Buildings by Steven Roten
Dawn is Daying by Larry Bliss
Mom Bomb by F.J. Hartland
The Ending by Molly Kate Babos
Organizers have made sure there is something for everyone, including fantasy, comedy and drama. While current Artistic Director, Matt Lamb, says that it’s been all hands on deck, no one has worked harder to put this year’s festival together than Gilbert’s resident grant writer, officer manager, lighting director, and all things in between, MacKenzie Ulibarri. Because of her hard work and dedication, the Gilbert received a grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County to help with PlayFest.
PlayFest and the thousands of similar events around the country are gateways to future Broadway and Hollywood stars. They provide a space for playwrights to see their words come to life. For those who submitted their work and were not chosen, Lamb passes on words of wisdom, “...You have to accept the word ‘no.’ But that doesn’t mean forever. Even though this door closed, another will open. Keep submitting your work, keep being a part of the arts, don’t let it discourage you. There are thousands upon thousands of different festivals that you can submit your work to. And you never know what might happen. So continue to submit your stuff and keep working on it. And who knows, it might open up a door to something a little different. So your 10-minute play may become a 30-minute play or a screenplay. You never know. So always, always, always, keep working.”
Make sure to follow Gilbert Theater on social media and check out their upcoming summer lineup, including Gilbert Glee’s production of Annie Jr., June 13 and 14. For more information, visit https://www.gilberttheater.com/