ORLANDO — While Orlando’s theater community has plenty of strong writing talent, the Playwrights’ Round Table is putting a spotlight this month on the region’s numerous black playwrights.

The plays created by these gifted artists will be part of a production titled Juneteenth, which is coming to the Imagine Performing Arts Center in Oviedo this month.

Juneteenth will feature 7 new shows that developed out of the PRT workshops. PRT works year round to develop original theatrical works through its monthly workshops, staged readings, and productions of select plays.  This helps promote PRT’s goal of introducing audiences in Central Florida to new stage voices.

Juneteenth will open on Friday, June 20, then continue through Sunday, June 29.

What Plays Will be Staged at Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is presenting what PRT billed as “great new plays by Black playwrights!”

The lineup includes:

+ ANOTHER WHEEL TO GET BEHIND

This play by Demmarie Boreland, directed by Alexia Fernandez, is described as “A couple get heated about who’s taking better care of their child.”

The cast includes Josh Fulmer (Jesse), Skyler Izquierdo (Chris) and Harrison Ensler (Rory).

+ BELLA NAPOLI

Steve Gold’s play is being directed by Nikki Marrow. The plot: “Renowned American scientist Dr. Ernest makes the uneasy acquaintance of a German interpreter during a conference in Europe.”

Dr. Ernest will be played by John Willoughby, and Allyson Busch takes the role of Hedwig.

+ DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Written by Tracie Morrison and directed by Contona Thomas, this show features a large cast that includes EJ Bernard (Sunday), Carol Bailey (Monday), Claire Ghezzi (Tuesday), Charm Baxter (Wednesday), Ysela Williams Phillips (Thursday), Falana Johnson (Friday) and Jossette McCausland (Saturday).

+ THE FUNERAL

A collaboration of writers Lillie Evans and Crystal Rhodes, Isaiah Entzminger directs a cast that includes Loraine O’Connell (Hattie Collier), Lynne Edinger (Dorothy Riggs), Gloria C. Joyner (Thelma Reeves), Natasha Zephyr (Viola Smith) and Arion Allen (Connie Palmer). The play focuses on how “A telephone call about a local man ‘s funeral gets out of hand.

+ PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Chuck Dent directs Taylor Leigh Lamb’s play that focuses on Jess, who “receives the most unusual evaluation of her life from her ex-boyfriend.”

Jess will be played by Arion Allen, Kai by Benjamin Mainville, and Nic by Jessie Ehrenberg

+ SAME SCRIPT, DIFFERENT CAST

Dent is also directing this play by Adrian Crawford, about an “older man (who) discovers his partner’s latest younger lover.” The character of Darren will be played by John Willoughby, and Reginald by Isaiah Entzminger.

+ WASHED AWAY

“Climate change has ravaged the lands and life of a man from southern Louisiana” is the theme of Ellis Clay’s play, directed by Avis-Marie Barnes, with the character of Rebecca played by Kelli Winans, and Ezekiel by Stelson Telfort.

Where Can I See the Juneteenth Shows?

Juneteenth is being performed at the Imagine Performing Arts Center (IPAC) at 1220 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, Oviedo, on:

• Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, June 22 at a 3 p.m. matinee
• Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 28 at 8 p.m.
• Sunday, June 29 at a 3 p.m. matinee

Purchase tickets by visiting https://www.imagineperformingartscenter.org/events

Playwrights’ Round Table was first launched in 1997 as “a playwriting support group focused on growing and developing local writers,” PRT notes on its website.

When is PRT’s Next Workshop?

The June PRT workshop is being hel at the Arcie Estate, 4520 Arcie St. in Orlando, on Sunday, June 8 from 1-4 p.m. “Join us for camaraderie, fellowship, fun, networking, brunch, and of course, great new plays,” PRT notes. “As always, the workshop is free and open to the public.”

On Monday, June 9, PRT will host an online workshop via Zoom from 7-10 p.m. “This workshop is designed for local writers who can’t make the in-person and for our many long-distance writers,” PRT notes.

To participate in either workshop, RSVP to theprtfl@gmail.com. 

Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright and author of the terrifying book “Bloody Rabbit”. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.