AstonRep Theatre Company is pleased to present its 12th annual Writer’s Series, featuring two free virtual readings of new works by emerging writers. This year’s series will showcase productions by Maggie Antonijevic and Troy Loftin, streaming via Zoom on Saturday, January 30 at 3 pm CST and Sunday, January 31 at 3 pm CST, respectively. To access the free readings, visit www.astonrep.com.
The 2021 Writer’s Series Line-Up includes:
Saturday, January 30 at 3 pm CST
American Dinner
- By Maggie Antonijevic
- Directed by Sean William Kelly*
- Featuring Michelle McKenzie-Voigt, Christopher Meister, Julie Partyka, Faiz Siddique and Kirra Silver
- Post-show discussion to follow the performance
American Dinner follows a mixed-race, mixed culture family on the one-year anniversary of the patriarch’s death, over one weekend at the family estate, in a post-Obama America, the same year Trump has been elected president of the United States. Family secrets rise to the surface and this play exposes the consequences of lies told to youth, in an effort to protect the ideal image of a successful American family. This family, much like our beloved country, can no longer hide from the truth.
Sunday, January 31 at 3 pm CST
Just So Typically Me
- By Troy Loftin
- Directed by Dana Anderson*
- Featuring Eileen Doan, Mary Mikva, Laura Berner Taylor and Melanie Thompson
- Post-show discussion to follow the performance
Jessie Sparks was the biggest pop star on earth. Then she sort of had a meltdown... Now she's trying to stage a comeback by starting a kick-ass residency in Atlantic City! There's just one problem: she doesn't want to go on. Her manager and mother try to convince her to continue with the concert, but Jessie insists that she's through, and the clock is ticking until showtime.
The production team includes Melanie Kulas (stage manager), Samantha Barr* (production manager, technical director), Sara Pavlak McGuire* (co-artistic director, casting director) and Derek Bertelsen* (co-artistic director).
*Denotes AstonRep Company Members
About the Playwrights
Maggie Antonijevic is an artist of the stage and screen, with credits including Empire (season 6) and NBC's Chicago Fire (season 8) in 2019. She grew up traveling throughout Africa, The Caribbean and the Washington, D.C. metro area. Maggie holds a B.F.A in Theater (Acting) from WVU, and studied with The Second City Chicago and Acting Studio Chicago. Maggie's work as a writer has been published in the Foreign Service Journal.
Troy Loftin is a playwright and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles, California. His plays have been seen at Wordsmyth Theatre, The Rec Room, BETA Theatre, The Blank Theatre, the Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA, and more. Troy is the Producing Director for EST/LA and the assistant administrator of its New West Playwriting Program for writers under 30. He was also a participant in the 2016 Writer's Retreat sponsored by The Lark and Theresa Rebeck. Troy was previously the Literary Associate for The Landing Theatre Company, and the Dramatist Guild Ambassador for the Houston region. He graduated from the University of Houston with a B.F.A. in Playwriting/Dramaturgy and a minor in Classical Studies.
About AstonRep Theatre Company:
AstonRep Theatre Company was formed in the summer of 2008. Since then, the company has produced numerous full-length productions, along with their annual Writer’s Series. They are currently in residence at The Edge Theater. AstonRep Theatre Company is an ensemble of artists committed to creating exciting, intimate theatrical experiences that go beyond the front door to challenge audiences and spark discussion where the show is not the end of the experience: it is just the beginning.