FROM EARLIER IN THE FESTIVAL . . .

Tuesday, January 17 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
The Swiftlet /an immigrant poem, written by Keshav Raj Ganwali and adapted by Subash Thapa. This play represents all the immigrants and depicts their tough lives and hard journeys while exiled from domicile. This play is intended to explore subtle outcries of immigrants who just want acceptance and compassion. Meanwhile this play reminds the powerful to keep alive the very human within them.

Moonrise, by Marla Porter. Moonrise leads two squabbling brothers to forgiveness and redemption by the Moon's beautiful trickster goddess. Written by Marla Porter and starring Christine Schiele, Seth Tiven, and Jeff Smith. Original music by Ben Poliakoff.

Snakes, by Kathleen Evelyn McDowell. The three Gorgon sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, fight to protect their home from an insidious invader.

Pretty Girl, by Emily Rolen. This staged reading is based on the short story "Pretty," by Emily Rolen. It's part of a collection of stories in the works about a Pennsylvania family called Kenzinger.

Somebody, by Wendi Starling. An unassuming suburban housewife reminisces about her past as a sex worker in an attempt to finally reconcile with herself.

Wednesday, January 18 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
The Crushed Ice That Lingers In My Head, by Alex Garza, is a solo performance in which the performer dares to crack open his own brain to tell a tale of, not madness, but something far beyond, something deep inside the wardrobe and perhaps even through the magical land of Narnia. Join Alex Garza as he allows his original characters to tell their perspectives on life, including a bucket-carrying Eastern-European woman who writes poetry, as well as a grown man who can't seem to color inside the lines. It's a cavalcade of personalities, a smorgasbord of unsupervised voices running through one man's mind.

BRINE XIV: Count Your Blessings, by Stuart Hersh. In his 13th play at FronteraFest, Stuart Harry Hersh connects abortion, the invasion of Ukraine, and murder in 2022. The boy raised in New England links current events to historic events with family connections.

The General and the Particulars, by Greta Gardner. A malevolent entity hunts in the forested heart of darkest Borneo, Indonesia. I happened to be its prey. A true story.

A Short Story, by Jen Brown. A combination of jokes and stories, A Short Story is a reflection on being a young woman today.

La Planchada, by Carl Gonzales. (ScriptWorks Commission) The play is about a pair of friends (a historian and a YouTuber) teaming up to find out if the legend and ghost of La Planchada, or "The Ironed lady" is real or fake. What happens will test their faith, their culture, and their sanity.

Thursday, January 19 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
Uni-TED States of America: An Awesome Ted Cruz Story, by Peter Parsons. Directed by Mason Pitluk.

There Are Butterflies in Cairo, by Raymond V. Whelan. Young Sharon Shaw writes a disturbing classroom essay about 9/11. Her mother sends her to Dr. Mansoor Kikihia Faiz for counseling. Featuring the Highland Lakes Players, Sebastian Garcia as Dr. Faiz, Samantha Levine as Shaw. Directed by Raymond V. Whelan, the playwright.

Future Past Tense, by Heather Thiel. In this comedic one-act play, a mother and daughter compare notes on the dating scene.

Your Zany Valentine: Comedy Improv from the Heart!, by Dog Joggers. Our troupe has performed improv comedy throughout Central Texas for the last six years. We ask the audience for an idea and then present an improvised performance based on that idea--an experience that is both heartwarming and hilarious!

Neil Dorsey Does Rap, by Neil Dorsey. Brace yourselves comedy-music lovers. Neil Dorsey's thicc stanky beats and dumb absurdist rhymes are guaranteed to make you laugh so hard you'll never do drugs again.

Friday, January 20 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
Sorry, I Can't, I'm Busy. I Have to War Tonight. Created by Franny Harold. Written by Franny Harold and Mase Kerwick. Franny Harold is half-Spanish, but ultimately, she didn't ask to be born. According to legend, the women of the small Spanish town where her family is from defeated Portuguese troops in 1468. This piece follows one of these young women, who, just like Franny, is grappling with life's classic, "Why am I even here?" The woman goes from experiencing an identity crisis to a straight-up crisis of war (in 25 minutes or less). Totally relatable for any woman in her late 20s. The intention of this piece is to explore themes of healing and self-identity, even when it feels like you don't have one, and the importance of defending your life, even when you'd rather just go to the town plaza and eat lots of bread instead. Directed by Mase Kerwick.

The Misplays, by Aaron Rubin, Adrian Gwarzalez, Ashley Park and Derek Cornelius. We are an improv troupe that produces high fantasy narrative based on Magic: The Gathering.

Halfway to Death: A Coming of MIDDLE Age Escapade, by Christine Hoang. Comedic storytelling piece about an adventurous weekend in NYC.

Ph*Ck! You Must Be On Crack! by Sandy Maranto. While she's not on crack, Sandy Maranto does need the occasional piña colada and nap to get through life. Come hear why.

Cabaret Wonderland, by Kelsey Moringy. Come fall down the rabbit hole and explore a tale we all know too well. The treacherous traps of the dazzling nightlife. A journey to find balance in all things. Set to the music of Caravan Palace and Sub Urban.

Tuesday, January 24 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
Round the Cauldron, by Liberty Stevens. The three crones from The Scottish Play now have a cooking show, and they are making their special brew while they tell us a story about the Mad King.

The Stained Glass Closet, by William Frisbie. The fateful day when a deeply-closeted preacher threw stones inside a stained glass house.

An Excerpted Monologue, performed by Rebecca Robinson.

Kapatid, by Pelita Dasalla. Three sisters gather together after their mother's funeral. This is the first time the sisters have been together in the same room for 10 years. They reminisce about their childhood memories about their mother as well as her toxic traits. It is a story about breaking the cultural cycle and finding our own path, even if it meant we let go of the people we love.

The Breakup (Songs from Space for Lease), by Katy Matz and Chris Tacderas. The Breakup is an original song cycle that follows the aftermath of breaking up, moving out, and moving on. Director: Olivia De Beck.

Wednesday, January 25 (TICKETS HERE))
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
Heaven (By Way of Suicide), by Sean Sweeney. Beyond August Productions Presents: The first 12 pages of an unfinished full-length play. A family comes together for the suicide of the father who is terminally ill. Comedy/Drama

Not a Pickleball Court?, by Jonna Juul-Hansen. A baby boomer's attempt to avoid the slow gravitational pull to her grave.

Nikola's Cosmic Radio, by Daniel Berkowitz. During a late-night lab session, Nikola receives an out-of-this-world transmission.

A Woman Manages Her Anxiety, by Molly Fonseca & Anikka Lekven. (ScriptWorks Commission) This is the story of an anxious woman. Watch as she tries to manage her uncomfortable feelings, watch as she tries to escape a shame spiral, watch as she tries to make a new friend. Watch as she tries.

Painkillers, by Lowell Bartholomee. How I coped with a pandemic through irresponsible choices and fruit juice. There will be some audience participation.

Thursday, January 26 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
Kenny/Rogers, by Heidi Rogers & Kenny Madison. An improvised show that annihilates the fourth wall. Half improv show, half audience interaction, Kenny and Heidi are two very bored performers who do rapid fire scenes that surpass the speed of boredom.

Here, There, and Everywhere, by Dena Afrasiabi. A one-woman show about the Beatles, 90s teen angst, and Mexico City.

Happily Ever After Toxic Masculinity, by Sandy Maranto. The princes from the fairy tales we've known forever are either separated, divorced, or completely obsolete, and they find themselves in need of counseling and advice.

Uncomfy, by Anthony Ellison. Uncomfy is a quick revue of awkward interactions, failed relationship moments, or just not comfortable. Not all folks think the same way, but we all see the wrong signal sometimes.

How to Properly Train Your Husband, by Tristan Young Mercado. Two women hold a presentation on all the ways in which husbands can properly be trained.

Friday, January 27 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
Abecedarian for Kyle Who Doesn't Exist, by Eva Suter. A collaborative performance about longing, stars, space station cleaning crews, and flowers beginning with the last few letters of the alphabet. Written by Eva Suter, directed by Kate Taylor.

I Am Jodie Comer, by Joy Cunningham. How watching Killing Eve helped me make sense of things and move on with my life.

How to Be an Ethical Slut, by Brooke McCarthy. Experience the ride of your life as an unethical slut penetrates lies, STDs, triads, orgies, and love in her musical journey to becoming an Ethical Slut. Follow Blake Valentini's struggles between dating the socially acceptable way--monogamy--or daring to open her mind to unusual relationship pleasures and tribulations through this original one-woman show. McCarthy will perform an excerpt from this Bring Your Own Venue show in the Short Fringe.

Nightcap, by JJ Pollack. After meeting each other at a party, a snarky biologist and an inhibited Methodist illustrate the joys of modern dating, over one long and very contentious night. Excerpt from a larger piece.

Dammit Lola, created by CB Goodman and Roz Mandola. Dammit Lola is experimental DIY comedy shenanigans.

It's All Good, by Denise Garza. A storytelling excerpt from an emerging one-woman show. PLEASE NOTE: This show will now be performed on Thursday, February 9.

Mostly Alone, by Collin Carrothers. A 10-15 minute comedic presentation of a dating history since coming out as queer in 2007. PLEASE NOTE: This show will now be performed on Thursday, February 9.

Hamlet, by Alex Garza. In his interpretation of William Shakespeare's classical tragedy, performer Alex Garza portrays various characters including Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, to tell the tale of revenge, murder, and one man's struggle to come to terms with the confusing drama surrounding his family and his kingdom. PLEASE NOTE: This show will not be rescheduled.

Wednesday, February 1 (TICKETS HERE)
PLEASE NOTE: the Wednesday, February 1 Short Fringe performance was cancelled due to icy weather.
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
Yobservations: what I see at the YMCA, by Sharon Sparlin. A pool diary. PLEASE NOTE: This show will not be rescheduled.

Old Haj Wins The Day, by Bernadette Nason (ScriptWorks Commission). Bernadette Nason has worked at a Dubai hotel for a short time and realizes there's a discrepancy between Anglo staff and those of color. While she tries to redress the balance between the treatment of management and workers, Old Haj finds a far more appropriate way. A funny, thought-provoking solo piece about a silly Englishwoman living abroad. PLEASE NOTE: This show will now be performed on Friday, February 10.

The Road Trip, by Paul Normandin & Gloria Rabil. At three stops along a drive from Texas to California, two strangers slowly reveal themselves. The closer the pair get to their destination, the more they learn about what motivates them to head west. First-time playwright Paul Normandin offers a short play about two characters in a temporary situation trapped on a collision course with each other. PLEASE NOTE: This show will now be performed on Thursday, February 9.

The Dating Project, by Max Langert. Organized and proficient in her professional life, Tara is messy and lonely in her personal one. So she does what any good project manager would and creates a detailed project plan to launch a stable relationship. When there's a problem, she logs a bug. When there's something missing, she creates a feature request. What could possibly go wrong? Presented by Summer Break Theater. PLEASE NOTE: This show will now be performed on Friday, February 3.

Thursday, February 2 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
A Pest Control Affair, a dramedy based on a true story! by Rosemary Guzman Hook. Shortly after marrying, an entomologist finds out his wife secretly ordered pest control for their home to combat the Texas tree roaches that keep showing up in their living room. This scientist's disgust at such blatant insectile infidelity may prove too much for his purist's perspective, until his wife gives him an ultimatum. Friends inadvertently solve their dilemma, while the husband makes one final demand of his wife.

Pour Me Another, by Aneesa Needel. An anniversary date goes from sweet to awkward in this comedic ten-minute play.

Buried in Grey Flannel -- the search for an elusive scent, and other obsessions, by Adam Sultan. Adam Sultan leads you on a journey of olfaction and old habits. Part TED Talk, part memoir, part madness.

Rupi Kaur Ain't All That, by Valerie Nies. A comedic show about poetry, featuring the work of comedic poet Valerie Nies, author of the poetry collection Snacks For The Love Hungry and an on-again/off-again follower of Rupi Kaur's Instagram.

Tooth'n'Hare, by Will Schutze and Zac Carr. A dumbshow presented by Mr. Bonetangles and Picklehead the Clown. A puppet-clown collaboration by Will Schutze and Zac Carr. A dull spectacle of the state of suffering, a toothache, and a rabbit doctor named Philippe making house calls.

Friday, February 3 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
FlowCode, by Sonoptic Gospel. Sonoptic Gospel is an immersive collaboration between visual artist Sydney Parks, musician Zack Payne/Neverlander and movement artist Chelsea Urban. In an effort to bring awareness to the human experience operating in the age of technology: Flow Code is a culmination of code, sound and movement used for the human journey through this sensory experience that is performed live for an intimate audience.

Augusta Speaks Volumes, written and performed by Helen Sneed. The piece is the story of Augusta Stubbs, a New York woman whose life is a cautionary tale.

Snickerdoodles and Disco, by Max Langert. A queen, a rook and a knight go off the grid and find themselves in the woods at the edge of a field in the middle of nowhere.

Merge, by Neil LaBute. A husband has just picked up his wife from the airport. On the drive home, they discuss an unsettling experience she had while away on a business trip. What at first sounds like a frightening assault soon turns out to be an altogether different scenario. Starring Shane Cullum and Angela Goodrich.

Pizzas, Pandas, and those Pesky Princes, by Maggie Gallant. Royal observations from a displaced Brit.

The Dating Project, by Max Langert. Organized and proficient in her professional life, Tara is messy and lonely in her personal one. So she does what any good project manager would and creates a detailed project plan to launch a stable relationship. When there's a problem, she logs a bug. When there's something missing, she creates a feature request. What could possibly go wrong? Presented by Summer Break Theater.

Tuesday, February 7 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
My Love Affair with JM, by Kristie Schuh. A one woman show about my obsession with Julianna Margulies.

Macduff, written and performed by Alex Garza. (Additional text by William Shakespeare). The year is 2023. His name is Macduff. Is he the hero from Shakespeare's tragic play? As far as he is concerned, that is his truth. Once a father, a husband, and a warrior, he finds himself stuck in a punishing, eternal life, traveling through centuries, carrying a past that forever haunts him. He reveals his tragedies and losses, but also interprets his attempts at joy, love, and creating connections with men in his life.

Miss Lotta Chanel Explains, by Allan Baker. Miss Lotta Chanel explains the source of misogyny, homophobia, toxic masculinity and its violence, our dangerous "warrior culture," the self-destructive gay "inner closet" . . . and your own quiet discomfort with drag queens . . . even the most FABULOUS!

Terror at Twenty-Eight Feet, written and directed by Brian Wittenbrook. The city's mayor, a restaurateur, a city inspector, a billionaire, and balloon-artist clown become stuck in an elevator. One is dead.

The Knuckleball Now is Mike D'Alonzo, Lee Eddy, Craig Koftas, and Ace Manning. The accolade-riddled TKN perform their PEAK & POP method of improv comedy. A series of quick scenes build a mind-spinning energy that effortlessly becomes a collection of memorable characters and the worlds they occupy.

Wednesday, February 8 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
Texas Book of Beasts: Year of the Bat, by Jeff Irvin. Fable on organizing a community to save an endangered toad, with audience participation: cricket clickers, sign prompts, and audience yoga (seated).

A Disagreeable Object, by Matt Hislope. A dance.

TBD, by Sam Domino & Adam Roberts. TBH.

Dem Ol' Time Lag Accumulation Blues, by Hank Schwemmer. A process. And a processing.

For Your Interpretation, by Tristan Young Mercado (ScriptWorks Commission). A 1980s interpretive dance troupe living off the grid for the past 27 years contemplates a return to the modern society and whether or not interpretive dance will rise again.

Thursday, February 9 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
It's All Good, by Denise Garza. A storytelling excerpt from an emerging one-woman show.

The Sons of Atreus, by Rachel Stanford, Playwright/Director/Producer; Stacey Stanford, Co-producer. The Sons of Atreus is a new short play written and directed by Rachel Stanford. It is a loving retelling of Homer's Iliad that focuses on the relationship between the brothers, Agamemnon and Menelaus, as they seek to overcome a familial curse that threatens to tear them apart. It is an exploration of the tragedy of war, the link between freedom and self-control, and the love between brothers.

Mostly Alone, by Collin Carrothers. A 10-15 minute comedic presentation of a dating history since coming out as queer in 2007.

Your New CEO, by Max Langert. I work for YOU!

The Road Trip, by Paul Normandin & Gloria Rabil. At three stops along a drive from Texas to California, two strangers slowly reveal themselves. The closer the pair get to their destination, the more they learn about what motivates them to head west. First-time playwright Paul Normandin offers a short play about two characters in a temporary situation trapped on a collision course with each other.

Friday, February 10 (TICKETS HERE)
These shows are now listed in the order in which they will be performed.
The Uninvited Guest, by Lindsay Razzaz and Sharanya Rao. This play explores our relationship with grief through a captivating metaphor. Manasvi throws a party at her home to celebrate the end of the pandemic, inviting all of her close gal pals--except for one who she is avoiding . . . until the uninvited guest shows up at her door, forcing her to reckon with what she has been burying deep within. Directed by Sharanya Rao.

Our Bodies, Our Shelves--A Vagina Monologue for the Post-Roe Era, by Hope Lafferty. Our Bodies, Our Shelves demystifies women's most dreaded doctor's appointment by chronicling one woman's experience teaching medical students how to give pelvic exams. With the audience as her students, this provocative, awkward, and hilarious show serves as an inflexion point between Western medicine, American women, and all the men who have them in their lives.

Better Sex With Opera, by Colleen Mallette. Better Sex With Opera features the Wisdom and Vocal Shenanigans of International Soprano Comedienne Colleen Hughes Mallette and her poor Pianist. After 20 years on the Road, the High C Diva offers advice, tidbits and trills. Audiences are encouraged to participate. Purcell may turn over in his grave, but it's a worthy cause. SURGEON GENERAL WARNING: We are professionals. Do not try this at home without advice from your physician.

Old Haj Wins The Day, by Bernadette Nason (ScriptWorks Commission). Bernadette Nason has worked at a Dubai hotel for a short time and realizes there's a discrepancy between Anglo staff and those of color. While she tries to redress the balance between the treatment of management and workers, Old Haj finds a far more appropriate way. A funny, thought-provoking solo piece about a silly Englishwoman living abroad.

Jomo & The Possum Posse Presents--Whatitwere (a Whodunit), by Jes Clifford, Jomo Edwards, Brian Wolfe. Regional folk musicians attempt to solve a murder. Or was there?

Hyde Park Theatre is located at 511 W. 43rd Street. Covered off-street parking for the patrons of HPT is available during performances in the lot at 4315 Guadalupe Street, just north of The Parlor. You can drive through The Parlor's parking lot to reach it. Evening HPT parking also available at Kenneth's Hair Salon, just south of HPT, and at the Hyde Park Church of Christ on the northeast corner of 43rd & Avenue B. We are grateful to them all for their generosity.

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