SMU’s Division of Theatre will present “New Visions, New Voices” March 25 to 29. The series contains four, fully produced plays and two stage readings written and directed by SMU theatre seniors.

This year is the 15th year that the Division of Theatre has put on its annual spring play writing festival. The public can see senior students’ first material and original work before the artists graduate.

“It’s important to have focus on new work because that’s the future of theatre,” said student director and producer Bryan Hunt.

Students in the “New Visions, New Voices” program, in the past, have gone on to continue working in theatre.

“Alumni from this festival can be found across the country in the entertainment world,”

Gretchen Elizabeth Smith, associate professor and Head of Theatre Studies, said.

The four fully produced plays are “Welcome,” written by Jenny Hulse and directed by Colter Smith; “Waystation,” written by Patricia Ash and directed by Evan Farrior; “The Constellations Don’t Have Faces,” written by Mike Steele and directed by Bryan Hunt; and “Where Pride Rides,” written by Kamelle Mills and directed by Fredrick Ford Beckley; will run in rep during the festival. Stage readings of “But It’s My Wedding Day” and “Lapsaria” will be read Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening respectively.

The plays include comedic and dramatic stories about five warriors from five different time periods, an unemployed roadie dealing with life after death, a monster trying to escape a tragic fate, and the possible costs of professional success.

Not only is the festival an opportunity for the public to see the future of theatre, but it gives students the ability to have their work produced in a safe, supportive environment according to Hunt.

Hunt also said this experience helped him learn more about the producing and directing side of theatre.

“I learned how vital it is to create and share stories that must be told,” student writer Kamelle Mills said,

“The writers’ work cannot be fully realized or completely created until they hear it in the mouth and see it in the bodies of the actors,” Hunt said

The plays will be presented in the Margo Jones Theatre in the Owen Arts Center, 6101 Bishop Boulevard on the SMU campus.  Parking is available at Hillcrest and Binkley and in the garage beneath the meadows museum.  Tickets are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for students and SMU faculty and staff.  For more information, please call the Meadows Ticket Office at 214-768-2787.

The schedule is as follows:

Welcome and Waystation: Wednesday, March 25 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m

The Constellations Don’t Have Faces: Thursday, March 26 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m.

Where Pride Rides: Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 29 at 8 p.m.