Now in its 10th year, the Words Afire Festival puts the spotlight on the work of student playwrights in UNM’s MFA Dramatic Writing Program. The Directed Readings, held this Friday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 15, allow the public to hear these pieces voiced for the first time. Here’s the schedule of events, held at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 Fourth Street SW). All readings are free, and three of the plays will be fully staged in April. For a synopsis of each play, got to theatre.unm.edu/waf.
Culture Shock:
Friday, Nov. 133 p.m. The Circuz by GHE7:30 p.m. Economically Viable by Aaron FraleSaturday, Nov. 1410 a.m. Anything and Always by Nic Wehrwein1 p.m. Parts of Parts and Stitches by Riti Sachdeva 4 p.m. Red Umbrellas by Beth Iha8 p.m. That One Forbidden Thing by Erin PhillipsSunday, Nov. 15Noon When It Happened by Kamarie Chapman
Culture Shock: Perfectly Able Perfectly Able
Solarity, a new local theater company, presents a special production of original work written by Lou Clark and Solarity. With a grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Solarity formed in 2008 with the intention to produce original work with a cast and crew composed of disabled and non-disabled people. Reflections, the company’s first production, uses ensemble techniques, movement, dialogue and poetry to tell the story of eight characters struggling to understand the concepts of home and love. The show at the VSA North Fourth Art Center (4904 Fourth Street NW), directed by Clark, runs this weekend only, with performances on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. For information and reservations, call 344-4542, or go to vsartsnm.org.