St. Mary’s City, MD – On June 4 and 5, the Watermelon One-Act Festival (WOAF) will feature 13 original one-act plays at the Bruce Davis Theatre in Montgomery Hall of St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Now in its fourth year, 2016 marks a year of “firsts”: this year is the year of the first international script; it’s the year of the first out-of-state production team; this is the first year for more than 10 plays to be performed; it’s the first time that area high-schoolers will work as part of the Crew; this year, a record number of students are participating; and for the very first time, there will be a “surprise” Guest Adjudicator.

Watermelon, Inc., a 501 © (3) nonprofit organization, is a local-non-profit organization dedicated to the theatre arts and to providing a nurturing environment for original works. A total of thirteen original one-act plays written and performed by both local and out-of-state artists and students will participate and will be adjudicated by qualified professionals during each of four Sessions on Saturday, June 4. Top-scoring plays will then compete in the Finals on Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m. Cash prizes totaling more than $1,000 will be awarded to best overall script, Audience Choice, production, director, ensemble, and performers during a ceremony following the Finals. Audience members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite play to determine the “wild card” finalist and the Audience Choice Award.

Tickets are priced at $12 each per Saturday Session ($10 for students/seniors); the $20 price for the Sunday Finals/Awards ($15 students/seniors) includes food and beverages. A Festival Pass for both days is priced at $55 ($50 for students/seniors).

All tickets will be sold at the door, payable by cash or check (no credit cards). Only ticket-holders may vote. No reservations are necessary.

NOTE: Some plays are not appropriate for children.

The Performance Schedule is as follows: Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.
Possibilities Endless, by R. DaSilva, directed by Lisa Gregory; Lewis Beckley, Stage Manager. Technology can lead to creating the longed-for heaven-on-earth. Cast: Bob Elwood, Faith Hastings, Matthew Howe, Justin Bose, Joanne Fuesel.
Almost Opposites Attract, by Rick Thompson, directed by Rick Thompson; music and lyrics by Rick Thompson. George and Abigail’s long romance ended badly; they meet again at their 25th college class reunion. Cast: Greg Rumpf, Stacey Park, Rose Jimenez, Kevin Flynn.
Loving It, by Lois Stephenson, directed by Lois Stephenson. Bob and Linda Bowersocks are embroiled in a problem associated with aging when their newlywed daughter abruptly arrives at their door with problems of her own. An exotic neighbor unknowingly brings a solution to both old and young. Cast: Ellynne Brice Davis, Robert Rausch, Rachel Culver, Tasnim McWilliams, and Lewis Beckley.

1 p.m.
Senior Housing by Joanne McDonald, directed by Joanne McDonald. A concerned son convinces his mother to try a “mature” community only to find that things aren’t’ always what they seem to be.  Cast: Sherry Santana, Aidan Davis, Joanne Fuesel, Robin Finnacom, Kevin Flynn, Phil Cosman, Ellynne Brice Davis, and Steve Bayles.
Jumping Jasper, by Yair Packer, directed by Stephen Fogle.  A wise homeless woman has an unexpected evening when she meets a young man who is about to jump out of a third-floor window. Cast:  Tasnim McWilliams and Jonathan Berry.
Etched in Stone by Andrew Martineau, directed by Emma Ansell; Philip Holland, Stage Manager. Fanny and Peter discover that their grave sites are right next to each other. As they reminisce, their younger selves and deceased spouses “appear” to relive their memories. Cast: John Giusti, Ellynne Brice Davis, Naomi Cary, Jordan Marbray, Gershawn Mason, and Katie Fischer.

3:30 p.m.
The Museum at Clifton Park, by Cody Beltis. The owner of a small museum is interviewed by a local journalist. Produced by Keith Hight, Technical Director and Assistant Professor of Theatre at the College of Southern Maryland. Keith has been a strong supporter of the Festival since its inception.
The Wright Others by Chris Joyce, directed by Chris Joyce. It’s 1907 and Orville and Wilbur have become rock star-like celebrities; tagging along are brothers Reuchlin and Lorin – unknown and unrespected. Cast: Nicholas Wood, Jacob Traver, Aubrey Joyce, Paul Rose, and J.O. Chrystal.
Norma’s Scent, by Yair Packer. Alan’s just lost his wife, Norma. His daughter wants him to give her mother’s clothes to charity but he will do so only after Norma’s scent is gone from her clothes. Produced by Keith Hight.
The Ticking Clock, by Vitebsky, Forsberg-Lary, Mahmud, and Skiff. Four women challenge the stereotype of what it means to be fulfilled in a world where women are placed on a fast-track to family life and motherhood. Cast: Katie Skiff, Juliana Forsbery-Lary, Faina Vitebsky, Sophia Malmud.

7:30 p.m.
The Queen of Sodom by Jack Wibbe, directed by Lisa Gregory. In the 1920’s, a small Kentucky town is hit by a lynching, a gay speakeasy, and a southern preacher with a mission to rid the town of homophiles.  Cast:  Lisa Gregory, Kevin Flynn, Daelyn Funk, Celina Hansen, Steve Fogle, and Robin Finnacom.
The Fall of Man by Chris Joyce, directed by Timothy Joyce. A brother and sister are forced to come to terms with their parents’ respective illnesses. Cast: Robert Rausch, Jeanne Louise, Stacey Park, and Michael Sokoloff.
Confessions of a Character Actor by Aaron Leventman, directed by JR Cook. In 1968 Brooklyn, David tells his widowed mother, Bertha, that his “big break” has come in the first X-rated Hollywood film. Cast: Anthony Kiser and Lynne O’Meara.

WOAF Producer is Lisa Gregory, M.S., Ph. D., who is an environmental consultant with Assisted Management Solutions, Inc. She has been involved with theatre on both sides of the curtain for over 25 years. She obtained degrees in Zoology at the University of Florida and is an alumna of St. Mary’s College of Maryland. 

Adjudication Chair Michelle Ebert Freire, MFA, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree from the University of MD College Park, a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in Drama and Theatre for Youth from the University of Texas at Austin, a certificate from the Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles, and has additional training from the Centre for Playback Theatre.   

Adjudicator Jonathan M. Rizzardi is a Baltimore/Washington, D.C.-area director, writer, and vocalist. He is an alumnus of St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a B.A. in English and minors in Theatre Education and Music (Vocal Performance), and an M.A.T. in secondary English Education. As a director, he works with college actors, high school students, and community members. 

Watermelon, Inc. is now accepting submissions for the 2017 WOAF; the deadline is February 14, 2017. For more information you may contact www.watermeloninc.org or may send email to watermelon@watermeloninc.org.