Through our eyes 2 - new play festival
About the Festival
The Festival is a three week new play festival that is also the culmination of the 2024 - 2025 Through Our Eyes playwriting cohort. For the past year, six Twin Cities playwrights, Mayra Gurrola Calderón, Johanna Keller Flores, Michelle de Joya, Sunny Thao, Jamaka Young and Ehkhudah Zar have developed new scripts through a cohort & mentorship program. Five of the plays, ranging in subject matter from quinceañeras to neighborhood hair salons, will be showcased as part of the Festival.
The final week of the Festival features three stage readings at 825 Arts in St. Paul, and a puppet show for our youngest audience members.
STAGE READINGS: OCT 2 - 4 AT 825 ARTS in St. paul
SOMETHING'S IN THE WATER
THURSDAY, OCT 2 AT 7:30 PM
Written by Johanna Keller Flores
Directed by kt shorb
Stage Managed by Tonushree Chowdhury
Luz and their girlfriend Fiore move into a new house outside the city looking for a fresh start, but their grief, dreams, and a new presence proceeds to haunt them.
Performed by Simone Bernadette, Mayra Gurrola Calderón, Maya Haugen, Alé Guzman Huaman, Atim Opoka & Carla Solari
Recommended for ages 14 & up.
Content Warning: Includes elements of haunting, themes of grief & the mention of a miscarriage.
TICKETS:
Pick-your-price $15 - $5
AB NAILS
FRIDAY, OCT 3 at 7:30 pm
Written by Michelle de Joya
Directed by Siddeeqah Shabazz
Cultural Consultant: Thanh "Emy" Tran
Stage Managed by Elizabeth Vitullo
When a Vietnamese family owned nail salon in the Frogtown neighborhood is faced with losing their business, a new Black nail artist joins the staff and turns everything around, but tensions rise as the community dynamic starts to shift... Can the family let go of their pride and adapt in order to survive or will they let it all go up in flames?
Performed by Simone Abraham, Milana Bui, Joseph Dinh, Kamani Graham, Imani Harris, Jiccarra N. Hollman, Kymani Kahlil, Houa Moua, Kaysone Syonesa & Tri M. Vo
Recommended for ages 16 & up.
Content Warning: Mentions of drug use & adult language.
TICKETS:
Pick-your-price $15 - $5
UNDERGROUND INTERSECTION
SATURDAY, OCT 4 at 2:00 pm
by Jamaka Young, with music by Mayyadda
Directed by Suzy Messerole & Siddeeqah Shabazz
Stage Managed by Maya Vagle
Jamaka Young will share scenes & songs from her new musical Underground Intersection, with music by Mayyadda. Following the sharing, Young will close out the Through Our Eyes 2 Festival by leading a group ritual for staying creative and resilient in challenging times.
Performed by Nnamdi Darlington, Uzo, Ngwu, Mayyadda, Umar Malik, Sterling Miller, Tyra Lee Ramsey, Siddeeqah Shabazz & Jamaka Young.
Recommended for ages 14 & up.
TICKETS:
Pick-your-price $15 - $5
SPECIAL EVENT: PUPPET SHOW & PUPPET MAKING
Thelma and the Lettuce Thief
Puppet Making & Storytelling with the Speaking Out Collective
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct 4 at 11:00 am
Location: 825 Arts, 825 University Ave., St. Paul
Thelma helps Grandpa in the garden where she learns about slowing down, sharing what you grow, and planting seeds of change. Audience members will experience an interactive puppet show. Following the show, participants will make their own puppets.
Recommended for all ages, specifically geared for young children & their families.
FREE (Donations welcome) & No-Reservation required.
The activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Through Our Eyes 2 Festival is also funded by grants from the Jerome Foundation, Marbrook Foundation, McKnight Foundation and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation; and the generosity of our individual donors.
