Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival has raised the curtain on three world-premiere performances as part of their upcoming Improbable Fiction new works series. This one-night-only performance will take place on Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30 PM in the Jamf Theatre at Pablo Center, and feature three unique one-act plays: Filthy Animals by Anthony Roytman, The Secret Muse by Mark Evan Chimsky, and Female Nude Seated by Carolyn Gage. Following the presentation of the three plays, audience members will also get to experience a unique talkback experience, where they can hear directly from members of the team who worked to bring these plays to the stage for the very first time.
The plays were selected from over 170 submissions from across the country (plus some international submissions), and have been workshopped and rehearsed by a company of actors, with input from the playwrights themselves. Through this collaborative process, the playwrights had the opportunity to further refine their work before it was seen by an audience.
“The power of new works in theatre cannot be overstated,” says Brandon Raghu, director of the Improbable Fiction series. “They challenge us to explore fresh perspectives, provoke thoughtful dialogue, and evoke deep emotional responses. By embracing these original and brilliant stories, we not only honor the rich tradition of artistic innovation but also contribute to the dynamic evolution of the theatrical landscape.”
“While Shakespeare is in our festival’s name and is the focal point of our mainstage productions, we also strive to honor his legacy through his craft – playwriting and poetry,” says Jen Zwicky, WSF Managing Director. “It is equally – if not moreso – important for us to highlight the stories of today’s living playwrights, as we continue to work as theatremakers in the 21st century.”
In addition to Brandon Raghu as director, the Improbable Fiction series is supported by dramaturgy by Monica Cross, stage management by Emma Lipson, projection design by Lindsay Webster, and intimacy coordination by Katrina Stelk.
