Angels Theatre Company Presents

The Eighth Annual First Flight Festival!

New short plays written by members of the Angels Playwriting Collective

Presented at UNL’s Studio Theatre 

What is the First Flight Festival?

First Flight is a playwright-driven festival, unique to our area. All the submissions come from the Angels Theatre Company Playwriting Collective. 

Each play is directed by a different director 

We emphasize minimalism, so there is usually limited set, scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound. The scripts speak for themselves!

The plays are all short plays, ranging from five to 30 minutes in length. Depending on the submissions, we may decide to include four or 24. 

Playwrights are integral to the process. 

After each performance, there is a facilitated discussion with the playwrights. This allows the audience to ask questions and learn about the writing process from our talented artists.

First Flight Festival 2023 Plays!

FLIGHT A

July 13-15 at 7:30 PM 

July 16 at 2:00 PM

A Letter  by John Burkhart

Signs  by Jillian Carter (monologue)

Green Room  by Elbert Traylor

Tragic Women  by Robin Buckallew 

gimp  by Jamie Bullins 

Shiny Shoe Day  Book and Lyrics by Adrien Loehring

Music by Adrien Loehring & Vince Learned 

Play Descriptions

Flight A

A Letter by John Burkhart

Two close friends, Ben and Emily, meet daily at a park bench. Today, they are discussing the contents of a disturbing letter Emily received from a relative

Signs by Jillian Carter (monologue)

A middle-aged woman believes God sends her signs to guide her through life, to mixed and often funny results.

Green Room by Elbert Traylor

Auditions for a feature film are down to the finalists. Only the best of the best will land the plum lead roles. Or the cleverest.

Tragic Women by Robin Buckallew

In a waiting room reserved for tragic women, four characters from classic tragedy meet. They collaborate on plans to try and stop playwrights from killing any more women.

gimp by Jamie Bullins

People come and go and it hurts like hell. Cling to those who are still around.

Shiny Shoe Day ( a ten minute musical)

Book and Lyrics by Adrien Loehring

Music by Adrien Loehring & Vince Learned

Shiny Shoe Day is a coming-of-age story that follows a mother and daughter throughout school picture days. This story exposes insecurities and reminds us to wear our shiny shoes even if they can’t be seen.

FLIGHT B

July 20-22 at 7:30 PM

July 23 at 2:00 PM 

Mix and Machinate  by Clay Farris Naff 

Still Strong  by Ben Arenz (monologue)

Prophecy  by Steve Enersen 

Merry Commitment & A Happy Neurosis  

by Linda Howard Cooke 

Still Strong by Ben Arenz (monologue) 

Jay is fighting with the idea that he is getting older. His wallet was stolen recently, and that brings forth a lot of his concern.

Merry Commitment & A Happy Neurosis by Linda Howard Cooke

When Fred tries to get Dr. Holiday to declare his elderly uncle mentally incompetent, it reveals a new extension to a classic literary tale, and a surprising side to its characters.

Prophecy by Steve Enersen 

The tail end of a bad first date in a Chinese restaurant - a date that has been filled with awkward silences. The fortune cookie ritual, which one endorses but the other does not, leads to a lively philosophical discussion and a possible third date (since they had already agreed there would be no second date).

Mix and Machinate by Clay Farris Naff 

Opposites Detract: America’s polarization problem erupts in unintended hilarity when budget cuts force radically different people to share the mic on community radio station KOMM-FM.

Or Would You Rather Be by Cecilia Burkhart 

Two people in a waiting room start talking to each other. Mystery and tenderness happen in the most unlikely way.

Date: July 13-16 &  July 20-23 2023

July 13-15 at 7:30 PM & July 16 at 2:00 PM

July 20-22 at 7:30 PM & July 23 at 2:00 PM

Location: Studio Theatre - Temple Building 

1209 R Street Lincoln, NE 68508

Admission $20.00 per Flight, or $35.00 for a Festival Pass (both Flights)

First Flight Festival Tickets

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