Dear Friend,

It was Thursday afternoon and I was completing my plans to attend one of the openings of the Actors Theatre Humana Festival of New American Plays. Honestly, not being fully up to speed on this year's Festival, I called Jennifer Bielstein, Managing Director at Actors to get the "hey what's happening and what shouldn't I miss" Reader's Digest abbreviated report on the Festival. All that said, I thought I'd share Jennifer's note with you:

Hi Allan,

At Actors Theatre we are in the thick of the 34th annual Humana Festival of New American Plays and we couldn't be more excited! In the past couple of weeks, we've already opened SIRENS, FISSURES (LOST AND FOUND), and last night GROUND received its world premiere at this year's Humana Festival. Still to come are PHOENIX, THE METHOD GUN and THE CHERRY SISTERS REVISITED. As if that weren't enough to keep our audiences busy, 21c Museum Hotel will be the location for our site-specific play HEIST! . I'm thrilled to be a part of the theatre that premieres these works, and I can honestly say you won't want to miss a single play!

I know it can be quite a challenge fitting so many amazing theatrical productions into already crowded schedules, so to help local theatre lovers - like you - enjoy all the Humana Festival in a single bite....we've created the Humana Festival Locals Weekend-which is actually this weekend, March 5-7! A $40 pass gives you access to as many plays as you can fit into 3 awesome days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday! While you're at it, don't forget the other events such as the receptions, discussions with artists, and gala - all a part of what makes our own Festival a really community-wide event!

Of course, none of this would be possible without The Humana Foundation, whose generous support continues to make our work possible. Their longstanding commitment to arts in our community ensures the Festival's place in Louisville-and the world-for years to come.

Honestly Allan, I also have to commend the 15 incredible playwrights who contributed their works to this year's Festival. Their innovation, passion, and creativity serve as a reminder of the Humana Festival's purpose of expanding the canon of American theatre.

See you at the theatre! If you know anyone who wants more information about the plays and tickets tell them to visit www.actorstheatre.org, or call our box office at (502) 584-1205.

Jennifer Bielstein
Managing Director, Actors Theatre of Louisville

Well, I'm sold. See you at Actors. And remember that Actors is just one of the amazing programs supported by your gifts to the Fund for the Arts campaign. Haven't made your gift? Just click here.

Best,