Eight finalists for Playwright's Festival 2015 and casting call dates set

Festival Producer Kenny Chugg announces the finalists and commends judges for their hard work.

TCT's 2015 Playwright's Festival judges have completed their task of selecting the finalists for this season's performances. There were 46 total submissions this year, including 12 from Kern County and 9 from Tehachapi, but Los Angeles dominates the final list. Kenny Chugg, Festival Producer is pleased to announce

Another Way by Deborah Hand-Cutler, Kern County

Cherry by C. Gregory Thompson, ALAP (Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights)

Pro-Choice by Nick Mata, Los Angeles (Previous two-time Winner)

Eleanor's Yearning by T. Y. Joe, ALAP

Happy New Year by Gerry Michael Kluger, Los Angeles

Silver Linings by Felix Racelis, Los Angeles

In The Bag by Doris Sadler Davis, ALAP (Past winner)

Blueberry Muffins by Deanna Alisa Ableser, Los Angeles

Festival judges who volunteered many hours of reading, scoring and finalizing the submissions were Bonnie Helman, Chris Morales, James Carhart, Nicole Gockle, Phil Fouts and Susan Kneale, with Jeanne Lewis as an alternate. "There were many very well written and entertaining plays this year," claims Chris Morales. "The festival entries seemed to be more professional and mature this year with better developed characters and plot. I found my scores higher than in the past," said Phil Fouts, who continues "I am always impressed by the desire of all the playwrights to get their ideas and thoughts into a very difficult medium...a 5-10 minute play. As an actor I'm constantly in awe of those who put words on paper to express their thoughts through the characters they create, hoping we who perform those words do them justice." The judges all wish best of luck to all the playwright finalists.

An initial directors meeting was held Saturday, April 18 for qualified directors to hear about the selections and to begin the process of matching directors to plays. Auditions for all Festival plays will be held at TCT Second Space, 431 J Street, Tehachapi on Thursday April 30 and Friday May 1 at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday May 2 at 2 p.m. For additional information contact [email protected].

TCT is very excited about the selections and returning writers this year and cannot wait until the two-week run of this year's Playwright's Festival previewing Thursday, June 18, 2015. Performances will be June 19, 20, 26, 27 at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., with one Sunday matinee on June 28 at 2 p.m., doors open at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at http://www.TCTonstage.com at the door 30 minutes prior to the performance.