Theater News

Zakiyyah Alexander’s Sweet Maladies Wins ACT’s New Play Award

Zakiyyah Alexander
Zakiyyah Alexander

Zakiyyah Alexander’s Sweet Maladies is the recipient of ACT’s 2009 New Play Award, and will receive two free staged readings on June 6 at 7:30 pm and June 7 at 2:00 pm. Valerie Curtis-Newton will direct.

The play is about four girls (three black and one white) who must come to terms with their new circumstances in the Reconstruction-era South. The cast will include Lisa Strum, Felicia Loud, Adilia Scott , and Jane May. As part of the award, the winner receives $2,500 and the opportunity to workshop their play at ACT.

Alexander’s other works include Sick?, The Etymology of a Bird, and Blurring Shine. Her play, 10 Things to Do Before I Die is currently being presented by Second Stage Theatre in New York City.

For more information, visit www.acttheatre.org.