October 25 – October 27
Houston, Texas
New plays in development from some of the most exciting voices in contemporary theatre. Reserve your free tickets today!
READINGS
The Alley
By comfort ifeoma katchy
Directed by ShaWanna Renee Rivon
In an alley of row houses in Houston’s Third Ward in 1976, a once tight-knit family picks up the pieces. Inspired by stories of the playwright’s mother’s childhood, this funny and touching slice-of-life honors the hopes and dreams of a family and their community.
THE ALLEY contains some language, sexual situations, and discussions of drug and alcohol use, in a play inspired by real-life stories from 1970s Houston.
Friday, Oct 25 at 4:30 PM
Sunday, Oct 27 at 4:30 PM
Wolfie
By Sharr White
Directed by Rob Melrose
Melinda and Jasper are recent Manhattan transplants trying to live the life; a stunning rent-free apartment helps. But when their spirited dog, Wolfie, has a run-in with the one-percenters downstairs — an influencer and her wealthy husband — the couples find themselves in a high-stakes battle of money, manners… and woman’s best friend.
WOLFIE contains some language and some mild descriptions of violence, in the context of a hilarious head-to-head between two couples from different generations.
Saturday, Oct 26 at 4:30 PM
Uhuru
By Gloria Majule
Directed by Eileen J. Morris
Join Mshale, a tour guide, as he leads a Tanzanian-only climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. He is joined by Sprite, a Tanzanian-American who sets out to decolonize ‘his mountain,’ and Henry and Frannie, two missionaries who also call Tanzania home. This dramedy follows the unlikely foursome as they make the journey together to the roof of Africa.
UHURU contains some language and sexual situations, as well as discussions of racism and human trafficking, as Gloria Majule explores the identities of four Tanzanians climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Sunday, Oct 27 at 10:00 AM
Zero Hour
By Tea Alagic
Directed by Lily Wolff
Told through a series of interviews, a woman explores her relationship with her mother as defined by their shared experience during the civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This epic tale blurs the line between the political and the personal, shedding light on what it means to be an artist during a time of war.
ZERO HOUR contains some language and mentions of violence and war, as Tea Alagic plumbs her experience as a refugee fleeing wartorn Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s.
Saturday, Oct 26 at 10:00 AM
THE JANEIAD
WORLD PREMIERE
BY ANNA ZIEGLER
DIRECTED BY ROB MELROSE
Friday, October 25 at 8:00pm
Saturday, October 26 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday, October 27 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Originally workshopped in the 2023 Alley All New Festival, see the work fully realized on the Alley’s Neuhaus stage as part of your package.
Longing for a lost love connects Jane to Penelope. While Penelope waits for Odysseus to return from the Trojan War, Jane’s husband was lost to 9/11. Penelope kindles an eternal hope for her husband’s return, yet Jane is counting on the miraculous for her reconciliation. Do you believe in miracles?
Program Schedule
Festival Package Holders
Welcome Party
Friday, October 25 at 6:30pm
Location: Texas Room (4th Floor of Meredith Meredith J. Long Theatre Center at Alley Theatre)
Kick off the festival with light bites and cocktails overlooking Houston’s downtown skyline.
Note: This event is available exclusively to Alley All New Festival Package holders
Festival Package Holders
Festival Dinner
Saturday, October 26 at 6:00pm
Join festival goers, industry friends and artists for a seated dinner.
Note: This event is available exclusively to Alley All New Festival Package holders
Up Close with the Artists
Alley Full View: Saturday, October 26 at 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Playwrights Panel: Sunday, October 27 at 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Two opportunities to hear a moderated conversation with the artists and teams creating these works.
Note: Package holders will enjoy guaranteed seating at these popular panel discussions.
Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting Alley All New Festival.
Hotels
The Lancaster Hotel
701 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
713-228-9500
$249/night rate is available for Alley All New Festival guests. Rates include complimentary breakfast for each person, complimentary mini-bar, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. Please call the Lancaster and use code AANF24 to secure your reservation.
Homewood Suites/Hampton Inn
710 Crawford St.
Houston, TX
713-224-0011
$93/night rate is available for Alley All New Festival guests. Rates include complimentary breakfast and high-speed Wi-Fi. Please use the link here to secure your reservation.
