DirectorFest 2006

DirectorFest 2006, the twenty-third festival of one-acts staged by the Fall Directing Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project, offers an exciting glimpse into the future of American theatre by presenting one-act productions by three of the nation’s most talented young artists. This year’s bill consists of two new plays – Itamar Moses’ Authorial Intent, directed by Meredith McDonough and Jonathan Ceniceroz’s The Blessing of the Animals, directed by Alex Torra – and Harold Pinter’s One for the Road, directed by Jaime Castañeda.

The Blessing of the Animals is a brand new piece that tells the story of a young man whose gifts draw startling parallels to those of St. Francis of Assisi – specifically his gifts in relating to animals. This presents a profound challenge for his traditionalist parents, who have great difficulty grappling with their son’s eccentricities. The work is a special commission, crafted by Mr. Ceniceroz specifically for Alex Torra’s direction.

Authorial Intent offers a glimpse of the fallacies and realities of actors’ lives in the theater, both inside and outside the work they perform together. When the authorial intent of an actor’s lines are introduced in place of the lines themselves, the surprising result allows an audience to see the hidden truths of those bringing it to life.

Harold Pinter’s One for the Road continues director Jaime Castañeda’s dedication to giving British works new life across the pond. Pinter’s play is set in an unknown totalitarian state, where a mysterious figure maintains his authority by interrogating a husband, wife and their small child. Political and religious questions surface about a government’s ability to abuse power and the repercussions that are sure to follow.

All three plays are presented at each performance.