INFORMATION FOR
William Paterson University in Wayne will present a series of staged readings featuring the original works of the three finalists in the Eighth Annual New Jersey Playwrights Competition Play Series. “When the Phones Came to Liberty Creek,” by Michael Bettencourt of Weehawken, “The Harrowing,” by Robert Fischer of Haledon, and “A Matter of Dreams,” by Judah Skoff of Hoboken will be presented December 6 to 8 in the Hunziker Black Box Theatre on campus.
Michael Bettencourt is the co-founder of Block & Tackle Productions and has won various awards. He has produced more than 25 plays and has written novels, poems, essays and short stories.
Robert Fischer is a William Paterson University graduate who is currently working towards a master’s degree in Fine Arts.
Judah Skoff is an attorney for McCarter & English and a playwright. He has won numerous awards including two New Jersey Governor’s Awards in the Arts for creative writing and playwriting.
The three casts are comprised of William Paterson University students, graduates, and faculty, as well as community and professional actors. They include: Jay and Joan Ludwig of Kinnelon, Hilary Goldman of Brooklyn, N.Y., Kiernan Ryan of East Rutherford, Justin Zimmerman of Allendale, Annia Brito of Elmwood Park, Pedro Jimenez of Jersey City, Robert Barwick of Wayne, Jaclyn Hunt of North Bergen, Gabriel Morales of Paterson, Kristin Allmer of Wall, Nkemdilim Okakpu of Union, Cindy Strom of Haledon, Zack Caruso of Freehold, Larry Kaiser of Fairlawn, Liz Martin of Randolph, Matt Rofofsky of Fort Lee, Liz Beck of Cresskill, Leah Beekman of Wharton, and Richard Lurie of Paramus.
“When the Phones Came to Liberty Creek” is directed by Ron Mulligan of Bloomfield, a William Paterson University alumnus; “The Harrowing,” is directed by Carol Berman of Livingston; and “The Matter of Dreams,” is directed by Stacy Block of Hackensack, a William Paterson University adjunct professor.
The three New Jersey playwrights were selected as finalists from more than 50 entries. The winner of the competition will receive a fully staged production of the work in the spring of 2012.
Show times for each of the three presentations are 8 p.m. Each show will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the playwright and cast. Admission is free. For more information, please call the Shea Center Box Office at 973-720-2371.
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