FRIGID New York and Manhattan Theatre Source announce the plays and playwrights for the 2024 EstroGenius Festival 10-Minute Play Series and the Genius in Development Reading Series at UNDER St. Marks (94 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009). Both programs are presented as part of the 2024 EstroGenius Festival: EXPAND, a performing arts festival celebrating (stellar) womxn, trans and gender non-conforming artists. Tickets ($15-$30) are available for advance purchase at www.estrogenius.nyc and www.frigid.nyc.
Estro 10 Minute Play Series
Thursday March 21 at 7pm & 9pm
Saturday March 23 at 3pm
I Keep Leaving Parties Early by Amelia Kennedy
Livia, 28, finds herself exasperated by the inconsistency of online dating and wonders if she’ll ever find someone to truly connect with. Cass, 16, discovers sexuality for the first time and all the painful emotions that come along with it. Faye at 42 reminisces about her creative youth and marvels at how boring even parties have become. In I Keep Leaving Parties Early, these three women speak out about disconnection, disappointment, and the fact that no matter what age, we are still discovering who we are.
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE by Zoe Fernanda Wilson
A meeting in a playground leads to an unlikely connection.
between wave and water by Alethea Pace
A contemporary Bronx Trickster charms with songs and “lies” while collapsing the distance between past and present.
UBER by Maura Kelley
A short Uber Ride reminds us that strangers can care
NOT A MERMAID by Dana Leslie Goldstein
Sylvie and Tess are sisters, but they may as well have grown up in two different homes. Years later, Tess wants to know Sylvie, if it’s not too late.
Estro Genius in Development Reading Series
Sunday, March 24 at 2pm
Random Lobster by Andrea Fleck Clardy
In the midst of the COVID pandemic, two women who live alone meet on the roof of the building where they live. They have come to applaud essential workers. They have little in common and take an instant dislike to each other. And yet, to their surprise, they confide their secrets and become connected in ways neither foresaw.
My Door is Always Open by Alaina Hammon
A teacher randomly reconnects with her beloved (and secretly destructive) former student.
They Flew Through the Air by Kate Gill
Two women see something truly amazing and out of this world in Grand Central.
POWERLESS by Dana Leslie Goldstein
Amy needs help caring for her grandfather. But her grandfather is pretty sure that she needs more help than he does.
The Intake by Tessa Flannery
Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots meet in an office after Elizabeth’s death
Reykjavik by Emily Welty
How do you know if your child is the problem? Is Maisy’s fascination with runes and Vikings an innocent hobby or nascent white nationalism? Two progressive parents struggle to decide if they are missing warning signs and have been nurturing white supremacy after their family trip to Iceland.
EstroGenius Festival is an annual celebration of the artistry of femme, non-binary, non-conforming and trans womxn artists produced by Melissa Riker and maura nguyễn donohue. The Festival includes guest curator John C. Robinson and Short Play producer Vincent Marano. Founded as a short play festival in 2000 at Manhattan Theatre Source by Fiona Jones, EstroGenius exists to present the voices of dance-makers, playwrights, experimental performers, teens, musicians, burlesque performers, noise artists, filmmakers, dj’s and anyone else looking to break molds and crack gender codes to the stage, street and forefront of public attention. EstroGenius 2024 is possible in part to generous funding via 2024 NYSCA Support for Organizations through New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, along with the generosity of John C. Robinson, Vincent Marano, maura nguyen donohue and our individual donors. www.estrogenius.nyc
FRIGID New York’s mission is to provide both emerging and established artists the opportunity to create and produce original work of varied content, form, and style, and to amplify their diverse voices. We do this by presenting an array of monthly programming, mainstage productions, an artist residency, and eight annual theater festivals that create an environment of collaboration, resourcefulness, and innovation. Founded in 1998, the aim was and is to form a structure, allowing multiple artists to focus on creating and staging new work and providing affordable rental space to scores of independent artists. Now in our third decade we have produced a massive quantity of stimulating downtown theater. www.frigid.nyc
