When Gay becomes GAY, Jack Wernick's New Play To Premiere at the Strawberry One-Act Festival

By Shelby Tansil

“Flamboyant!" "That dreaded word.”

-From Future Fags of America,
a new play by Jack Wernick
Premiering in the Strawberry One-Act Festival

Fifth grade me would pummel present-day me with Nerf gun bullets for admitting this, but I often used to fantasize about having a male Sassy Gay Friend. We would drape ourselves in our feather boa finery and reenact scenes from My Fair Lady. He’d shower me with compliments when I looked like a lumpy troll doll. I’d punch any ignorant boys right in the kisser, if they dared to toss a slur in his direction. We’d drive off into a rainbow sunset, middle fingers to the sky. Or something like that. At that point in my life, I had never actually met any gay people, so this dream was fueled by the stereotypical, so-called “feminine” and flamboyant gay characters found in many young adult novels and romantic comedies. Jack from Will and Grace

and Marc from Ugly Betty were personal favorites. Then, in middle school I began to meet real gay males and females and discovered that my view of homosexuality was one-dimensional and offensive. No one I knew fit the full criteria to be my Sassy Gay Friend and I am positive that no one would have wanted to fill that fantasy role even if they had.

This fantasy of finding my very own Sassy Gay Friend is an example of one way in which American society exoticizes homosexuality. When we overemphasize the significance of a person’s  sexual orientation, we widen the gap between people of different sexualities and ourselves. As a result, homosexuality (as well as other less common sexual orientations) can seem distant and foreign in the presence of the more socially acceptable heterosexuality. Gay becomes GAY.

What are the consequences of this exoticization? How does this impact our relationships with other human beings? What are the implications for our own humanity?   

In his new play, Future Fags of America, Jack Wernick explores these concepts in a simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking satire. When a self-righteous, conservative housewife barges into the office of the Future Fags of America, she immediately begins firing off insults and accusations. Little does she know, she’s not the only one ready for a fight. In the scenes that follow, Wernick considers what it means to be gay in modern society and addresses the origins and consequences of exoticizing homosexuality. More than a commentary on sexuality and religion, the play also touches on notions of romantic love and the nature of happiness.

There are many stories in literature and real life that showcase the tension between Christian conservatives and gay individuals. Simply walking down city streets, especially during Gay Pride events, one will often see signs that tout religion and reproach homosexuals. “Homosexuality is sin” or “God said Adam and

Eve, not Adam and Steve.” What sets Future Fags of America apart is it’s sharp, biting wit and its unexpected moments of tenderness. The rapid-fire, colloquial dialogue calls to mind David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross and some of the sexual innuendos and insults sound as if the timeless Oscar Wilde could have penned them. Yet beneath the play’s satire, there beats a very real heart filled with compassion and pain. Whether you are looking for a few satisfyingly painful belly laughs, something that will challenge your mind or the emotive experience that the Internet affectionately calls “the feels,” Future Fags of America is a play worth checking out.

 

Have you ever felt like an exotic “other” in your own society? Aside from sexuality, what other traits might make someone feel exoticized by his/her/their society? We’d love to hear your responses! Comment here and tweet us at @Rianttheatre. Follow the conversation at #strawberryoneactfestival.  

FUTURE FAGS OF AMERICA will be performed in the Strawberry One-Act Festival in Series F on August 9^th (Sun) at 3pm & August 11^th (Tues) at 9pm.

For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com    

Series F:  August 9^th (Sun) at 3pm & August 11^th (Tues) at 9pm

CECI N’EST PAS UN MÉTAPHORE by Shannon McDavid
Art is fragile:  A gallery-goer and a might-be artist have a těte-ă-těte.

FUTURE FAGS OF AMERICA Written & Directed By Jack Wernick
Right-wing housewife squares off against LGBT activist in this homotopian satire.

SAME TIME, SAME BENCH By Joseph Lizardi
Desire and trust could make the difference when living on the edge of hope and despair.

ONWARD UPWARD By Freddy Valle
Charlie must venture through the game that is life in order to save his dearly beloved, Valarie.  He must face dragons, monsters and enemies; will he make it?  Who knows?  You’re guaranteed a thrilling show.

 

Riant Theatre to Bring 28th Season of the Strawberry One-Act Festival to Harlem in August

Over 30 Plays from Mainstream to Multicultural Compete for Top Awards

at Tato Laviera Theatre from August 5 – 23

Strawberry One-Act Festival Launch Party and Pioneer of the Arts Awards

 at Poet’s Den Theatre on July 26

New York, NY (June 4, 2015)--The Riant Theatre celebrates the 28th Season of the Strawberry One-Act Festival this summer by bringing the eclectic theatrical awards competition to Harlem from August 5 – 23 at the Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd St, between Second and Third Avenues.

“Diversity is the key with the Strawberry One-Act Festival,” said Van Dirk Fisher, founder and artistic director of the Riant Theatre, a multicultural and inclusive institution, and the Strawberry One Act Festival. “We have 30 playwrights from all over the country covering a myriad of topics. This includes Muslim, LGBT, African American, Hispanic and Asian playwrights offering unique story themes.”

This year, the festival is also presenting five full-length plays. Fisher has produced over 1,500 one act plays at the Strawberry One-Act Festival, which was established in 1995. Under Fisher’s direction, seven anthologies of The Best Plays from the Strawberry One-Act Festival have been published. Several of the plays have gone on to be produced at college and regional theaters. The Strawberry One-Act Festival has been called “The American Idol for Playwrights” by the New York Daily News.

“Why did I decide to bring the Strawberry One-Act Festival to Harlem?  Well anyone who's been to Harlem recently will tell you that all of Harlem is a Buzz!  There are so many things to do in Harlem, a wide range of restaurants to satisfy several palates from around the world,” said Fisher, who originally produced the Strawberry One-Act Festival in Lower Manhattan.  “Art is thriving in Harlem. There are art fairs, jazz clubs, museums, walking tours,

wonderful bed and breakfasts and hotels.  Bringing one of the most renowned play festivals to Harlem just seemed like a natural progression.”

The Strawberry One-Act Festival will kick-off with a launch party on Sunday, July 26 at the Poet’s Den Theatre, 309 East 108^th Street, between Second and Third Avenues. It features the Strawberry One-Act Festival Pioneer of the Arts Awards and a screening of the “Video Diaries Project,” short films created by the competing playwrights. The Pioneer of the Arts Awards will be presented to award-winning theatre director, Liesl Tommy, who was born in South Africa and Peter Anthony Andrews, president and CEO of Global PrimeVision and former vice president of NBC Entertainment.

The winners of the Strawberry One-Act Festival Awards  will be announced at a special ceremony on Monday, August 24  at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street.  The Riant Theatre's Awards Ceremony & Performance for the Strawberry One-Act Festival will feature performances from the four best plays from the festival and present awards for Best Play, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Short Film.  

For more information on the Strawberry One-Act Festival’s 28^th Season, please check out the website at www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623- 3488.

Script Submissions for the Strawberry One-Act Festival and Full Length Plays, Musicals and Staged Readings for the Strawberry Theatre Festival. DEADLINE: April 30, 2015

The Riant Theatre's Strawberry Theatre Festival is now accepting submissions for Full Length Plays (between 55 - 90 minutes) and Musicals (not to exceed 120 minutes), Short Plays (40 minutes - 50 minutes) and Staged Readings. Plays selected for the festival can perform between 3 - 5 performances and elect to share a percentage of the box office by paying a theatre usage fee between $1 - $9 per ticket to receive 10% - 100% share of the box office. To download an application go to www.therianttheatre.com or email us at RiantTheatre@gmail.com. The deadline to submit an application is April 30, 2015. Late Submissions deadline is May 15, 2014. The participation fee for the STF is $400 for plays received by April 30, 2015 and $500 for plays received after April 30, 2015. The participation fee for Short Plays is $350. All submissions are done by email.

Also seeking submissions for the Strawberry One-Act Festival for plays with a running time from 15 minutes - 30 minutes. Plays can advance from Round 1, Semi-Finals, Finals and the Awards Show & Performance. The judges for the Finals will consist of (1) Theatre Producer, (1) Artistic Directors, (1) Agent and (1) Casting Director. The 4 Best Plays will perform at the Awards Ceremony on August 23rd and have the option to do an Encore Performance at one of our Partner Theatre Companies. The participating fee for plays accepted into the festival is $300 for plays submitted by April 30, 2014 and $350 for plays received after April 30, 2015, which includes: an on-camera interview for your play, inclusion in our mailing brochures and the Riant Theatre Review Magazine, (1) ticket to our Launch Party and Screening of the Video Diaries Project: A Series of Short Films about the artists in the Strawberry One-Act Festival; (1) comp ticket whenever your play is performed, (1) ticket to the Awards Ceremony. The winner of the Best Play receives $1,500. Awards are given to Best Play, Best Director ($200), Best Actor ($150), Best Actress ($150) and Best Short Film - The Video Diaries Project ($250). Some plays will be selected for publication in the anthology The Best Plays From The Strawberry One-Act Festival. All Submissions must be done by emailed. Deadline April 30, 2015. Deadline for late submissions is May 15, 2015. Download an application at www.therianttheatre.com (There is no sharing of the box office for the One-Act Festival.)

The Summer Strawberry Festival will run from August 14th - August 23, 2015. You must be available between August 11th - August 23rd to participate in the festival.  


To download an application go to www.therianttheatre.com or email us at RiantTheatre@gmail.com

THE STRAWBERRY ONE–ACT FESTIVAL GOES WORLDWIDE WITH ON DEMAND VIEWING

THE RIANT THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES

Its 27^th Anniversary Season’s Lineup Of 30 New One-Acts

Available ON DEMAND February 12^th – February 22^nd

And Presented at the Hudson Guild Theater (441 West 26^th St., NYC)
February 11^th – February 22^nd

 

(New York, NY) – The Riant Theatre under the direction of Artistic Director Van Dirk Fisher, has announced its 27^th Anniversary season lineup for the Strawberry One-Act Festival, which consists of 28 new one-acts and 3 full length plays that will run February 11^th – February 22^nd at the Hudson Guild Theatre at 441 West 26^th Street and ON DEMAND beginning February 12^th.  Each Series features 3-5 short One-Act Plays.  See the Trailers for each Series at the links below:

You may Preorder the Series of Plays now.  (You can view the plays on your Mobile Devices, Computers and TV in HD.)

 
After you view the plays ON DEMAND you will be given an opportunity to cast your VOTES for Best Play, Best Director, Best Actor & Best Actress.

 

The Strawberry One-Act Festival – ON DEMAND (Pre Order Now)
February 12^th through February 22, 2015

Series A: (Release Date 2/12/15):

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/strawberryfestsa

Voting For Series A ends at Midnight 2/12/15

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Series B: (Release Date 2/12/15):

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/strawberryfestsb

Voting For Series B ends at Midnight 2/12/15

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Series C: (Release Date 2/14/15):

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/strawberryfestsc

Voting For Series C ends at Midnight 2/14/15.

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Series D: (Release Date 2/14/15):

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/strawberryfestsd

Voting For Series D ends at Midnight 2/14/15

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Series E: (Release Date 2/15/15:

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/strawberryfestse

Voting For Series E ends at Midnight 2/15/15

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Series F: (Release Date 2/15/15):

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/strawberrysf

Voting For Series F ends at Midnight 2/15/15

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Series G: (Release Date 2/15/15):

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/strawberryfestsg
Voting For Series G ends at Midnight 2/15/15

   

The Riant Theatre Company’s Strawberry One-Act Festival began in 1995 as a competition to help one emerging playwright secure a development deal and develop a full-length play. The event in its entirety, is a competition in which the audience and invited industry judges cast their votes to select the best play of the season.  Twice annually, hundreds of plays from across the country are submitted for the competition.  Plays move from the 1st Round to the Semi-Finals and then the Finals.  The playwright of the winning play receives a $1,500.00 grant and the opportunity to have a full-length play developed by the Riant Theatre Company.  Awards are presented for Best Play, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.

The Award Ceremony & Performance will be on Sunday, February 22^nd at 5:00pm.  In addition, some of the plays in the festival will be selected for publication in The Riant Theatre Company anthology: The Best Plays From The Strawberry One-Act Festival: Volume 9.