FIRST FLOOR THEATER Presents The Second Annual LitFest: Twain’s World July 11 – July 19, 2014.
First Floor Theater is thrilled to announce its Second Annual LitFest, TWAIN’S WORLD, a kaleidoscope of new work inspired by the life and work of one of America’s greatest writers. Last year’s GrimmFest brought together some of Chicago’s most exciting writers and directors, including Bonnie Metzgar, Seth Bockley, Philip Dawkins and Greg Allen. Given the choice of three classic authors, the attendees of this year’s annual season kick-off party selected Mark Twain. This moved an exciting, diverse group of playwrights to bring their voice to a conversation around themes in Twain’s work, like establishing a new American identity, racism, and the satirization of civilized society. This year’s fest promises a full range of adaptation, with everything from page-to-stage to a shadow puppet musical. The press opening will be Friday, July 11, 2014 at 8 pm. Tickets are available at firstfloortheater.com.
The eight ten-minute plays in the festival will be each be performed every night of the festival, with the first act inspired by Twain’s work and the second by his life. “I’m thrilled with the incredible crop of writers and directors coming together from so many different niches of Chicago theater this year. We’ve been able to bring together new and old collaborators for a really exciting mix. With live musicians stringing the night together with bluegrass and folk influenced by Twain’s oeuvre, the convivial atmosphere of Strawdog’s Hugen Hall, and new work from eight Chicago playwrights, you can’t go wrong,” says curator Hutch Pimentel.
Twain’s World features writers Will Bishop, Marilyn Campbell, Molly FitzMaurice, Ike Holter, Morgan McNaught, Paul Oakley Stovall, and Emmett Rensin. Twain’s World features directors Josh Altman, Taylor Bailey, Thrisa Hodits, Brandon Moorhead, Jesse Roth, and Andrew Rovner.
Title: Twain’s World
Curator: Hutch Pimentel
Writers: Will Bishop, Marilyn Campbell, Molly FitzMaurice, Ike Holter, Morgan McNaught, Paul Oakley Stovall, and Emmett Rensin.
Directors: Josh Altman, Taylor Bailey, Thrisa Hodits, Brandon Moorhead, Jesse Roth, and Andrew Rovner.
Location: Hugen Hall at Strawdog Theatre
3829 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60613
Dates: Press Opening: July 11, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Regular Run: July 11-July 19, 2014.
Show Times: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sunday the 13th at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $15 general admission. Tickets for TWAIN’S WORLD are available at firstfloortheater.com.
About First Floor Theater
First Floor Theater, founded in 2012 by University of Chicago graduates, makes theater to feed the audience’s intellectual curiosity by re-imagining classical texts, adapting literary treasures, and creating new work for our time that stands on the shoulders of the past. FFT was named the “Best New Theater Company” in the Chicago Read