One-Night-Only Performance: June 5, 2024
HOUSTON, TX — Plays by local high-school seniors, Obiajulu Mgbechi, Delilah Romero, and Thomas Fernandes have been chosen by Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. (DDTCo.) as selections for its sixth annual Student Playwright Festival. Each playwright is awarded a $500 scholarship and is paired with a Houston-based playwright as a mentor to fine-tune the plays and prepare them for production. The students will be guests of honor as their plays are performed at the MATCH – Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston on June 5, 2024.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS
Obiajulu Mgbechi, a senior at Obra D. Tompkins High School, presents her play Tech Savvy in which teenage students face down inequality and privilege through participation in a city-wide app design competition. Mgbechi will be mentored by playwright, Crystal Rae, best known to Houston audiences as the author of Tied. Tech Savvy will be directed by Jeff Merriman, whose directorial credits include Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, Almost, Maine, and Ann.
Delilah Romero is a senior at Spring High School. She presents Ephemeral, a story about Iris who is struggling to have a relationship with her verbally abusive father while trying to understand her overly optimistic mother. Romero is being mentored by author and playwright, Doug Williams, best known to Houston and DDTCo. audiences as co-author of The Boundary. Ephemeral will be directed by Curtis Barber who recently directed the DDTCo. productions of The Revolutionists, Misery, and The Birds.
Thomas Fernandes, a senior at Klein Oak High School, debuts his play The Butler Didn’t Do It This Time (Trust Me). When the friend of two roommates is found murdered, a suspicious person appears in their apartment claiming to be a detective. If they want to find the real killer (and make it out alive), they may just have to trust him. Fernandes is mentored by Gwen Flager, author of Shakin’ the Blue Flamingo produced by DDTCo. in 2022. The Butler Didn’t Do It This Time (Trust Me) is directed by Jessica Jaye, whose Houston area directorial credits include Fame, Just Like Family, and Measure of a Man.
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DETAILS
CALENDAR LISTING
Theatre/Performing Arts
WHAT
Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. Student Playwright Festival
WHO
Tech Savvy
written by Obiajulu Mgbechi
Obra D. Tompkins High School (77494)
directed by Jeff Merriman
mentored by Crystal Rae
Ephemeral
written by Delilah Romero
Spring High School (77373)
directed by Curtis Barber
mentored by Doug Williams
The Butler Didn’t Do It This Time (Trust Me)
written by Thomas Fernandes
Klein Oak High School (77389)
directed by Jessica Jaye
mentored by Gwen Flager
WHEN
June 5, 2024, 7:30pm
(reception following the performance)
WHERE
MATCH – Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
Matchbox 3, The John P. McGovern Foundation Theater, 3400 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
BOX OFFICE
713-521-4533 | matchouston.org
TICKETS
Single tickets, $15
also available to stream
PRESS CONTACT
Trevor B. Cone, Executive Director
713-561-5113 | trevor@dirtdogstheatre.org
ABOUT DIRT DOGS THEATRE CO.
Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. creates multi-faceted theatrical productions that enrich and entertain audiences, inspire artists, and honor playwrights. It was established in 2015 by Houston theatre veterans, Trevor B. Cone, Malinda L. Beckham, and John Baker. Dirt Dogs collaborates with Houston artists and playwrights to provide an opportunity for new works to be seen, and previously produced ones to breathe new life. www.dirtdogstheatre.org.