Urbanite Theatre puts a focus on women writers in Fourth Modern Works Festival

Urbanite Theatre is putting a new focus on women playwrights and theater makers as its fourth Modern Works Festival returns in-person.

The event will feature readings of three new works, plus discussions with directors and theater managers and a conversation with Tony-nominated playwright Bess Wohl.

“The festival is really to celebrate female playwrights and female theater makers, and we’re trying to assemble as many women as possible,” said Summer Wallace, who recently became Urbanite’s sole Producing Artistic Director after the departure of her co-founder Brendan Ragan. This year’s program generated more than 200 play submissions, fewer than the number received for last year’s event, which was held virtually. “But the quality of the plays was really outstanding. It was hard to choose the finalists."

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Each script is evaluated by a panel of play screeners and read by at least two different readers.

The selected plays will each be given two readings with the playwright in attendance. The writers may make changes between performances based on audience reactions and feedback, Wallace said.

“That’s their choice. Every play is at a different stage. One could be totally messy and one could need some work,” Wallace said. “The heart of the festival is to support playwrights with new play development. Sometimes they just need to hear their plays read out loud.”

Audience members who see all the plays have a chance to vote on the winners. All playwrights get a stipend and a per diem and the winning writer receives a $2,500 prize.

Here is a look at the plays and conversations scheduled for the 2023 Modern Works Festival.

Plays

“Westminster” by Brenda Withers, who co-wrote an earlier Urbanite play “Northside Hollow” with her husband, Jonathan Fielding. “Westminster” is described as a morality play that is also a screwball-type comedy about class, accountability and good breeding. 2 p.m. May 4 and 8 pm. May 6.

“The Apiary” by Kate Douglas is set in 2044 when bees are extinct in the wild and two lab workers discover bees being kept in synthetic apiaries are surviving on dead human flesh, and they must figure out a way to satisfy their desire for more. 8 p.m. May 4, 2 p.m. May 6.

“Therapy” by Jena Rashid is about a therapist who takes pride in his work and helping his patients, but things change when feelings develop with his newest client. 2 p.m. May 5 and May 7.

Speakers

Carolina Franco, president and artistic director of CreArte Latino Cultural Center, 6 p.m. May 4

Emilia Sargent, producing artistic director of Tampa Rep, and Georgia Guy, producing artistic director of Tampa’s Think Tank Theatre for young audiences. 6 p.m. May 5

Julie Leach, executive director of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. 6 p.m. May 6

Bess Wohl, the featured speaker, is presented with the Hermitage Artist Retreat, where she has spent time on her work, including her recent off-Broadway play “Camp Siegfried.” She earned a tony nomination for “Grand Horizons,” which was presented last season at Asolo Repertory Theatre. Her play “Grand Horizons” was presented in 2022 at Asolo Repertory Theatre. Her other work includes “Small Mouth Sounds,” “Pretty Filthy” and “American Hero.” 8 p.m. May 5.

Conversations are free. Readings are $20, $15 for those 40 and younger and $5 for students. A pass for all events is $55. For more information: urbanitetheatre.com

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Female playwrights in spotlight in Urbanite's Modern Works Festival