Theater Review by Yani Perez . . . .
The 15th Annual The Fire This Time Festival – Ten-Minute Plays showcased six emerging playwrights at the Wild Project this past weekend in collaboration with Frigid NY. The evening was filled with lively and humorous dialogue along with dazzling performances.
The playwrights Joël René Scoville, Kamilah Bush, LeeLee Jackson, Nia Akilah Robinson, Taylor A. Blackman and Monique Pappas-Williams presented ten-minute plays that captured a range of scenarios—stories about love, love gone wrong, club friends, race change and art. The plays were fresh, edgy and fun to watch. The playwrights did a great job presenting engaging work in such a short time.
Shayvawn Webster, Marinda Anderson, Benton Greene, Danielle Covington and Larry Powell were superb actors! They played all the characters wonderfully. Their energy and range were great to see. Interpreting multiple characters and switching between them quickly is challenging, but they got it down. Hats off to the cast!
The Fire This Time Festival has been going strong for fifteen years. It provides emerging Black playwrights with an opportunity to show their talent. Here’s to many more years of producing this festival and introducing audiences to new voices. Try to catch it before it’s over!
The Fire This Time Festival runs through Sunday, January 28 at The Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street, between Avenues A and B, East Village). www.firethistimefestival.com
Photos: Garlia Jones
Cover Photo: Mamas and Papas featuring Benton Greene and Larry Powell
