Artists' Exchange One-Act Play Festival Turns 10 This Weekend

Celebrate creativity and 10 years of summer success with Artists’ Exchange at the One Act Play Festival, opening this Friday, July 17th.

Wave 1 kicks off with eight original, fast-paced, and entertaining one acts performed at Theatre 82 & Café in Cranston, featuring the work of national names and local playwrights Kevin Broccoli, Ben Jolivet, and Roger Lemelin. Beat the heat and cool off with us! Laugh, smile, and cringe with our line-up of comedies and dramas that explore absurd and awkward scenarios, heartwarming and heartbreaking moments, unforgettable milestone events, and everything human.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, available for purchase online at www.artists-exchange.org, by phone at 401-490-9475, or in person. Shows are Fridays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 3:00pm and 7:00pm. Beer and wine cash bar available and refreshments for sale at Character’s Café before and during the show.

Lauren Annicelli, Jessica Chace, Tom Chace, David Kane, and Kate Lester direct (and act), showcasing the artistic talents and collaboration of community actors ranging in age from 9 to 65 and experience novice to veteran. Original abstract art of “Paintings by Madeleine” of New Bedford, MA will be on display and for sale, with half of the proceeds benefiting Artists’ Exchange. Music by local musicians and bands is provided compliments of the 75orLess record label. Sponsors include Spark Bridal, Marley Bridges Theatre Company, and TRIST (The Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater).

Wave 1 Plays are: “Anniversary” (Sam Wallin), “Fixing Bob” (David MacGregor), “Goodnight, Irena” (Rhea MacCallum), “Helicopter Parents for Hire” (Stefan Lanfer), “If Everyone Acted Like John Boehner” (Ben Jolivet), “The Front Porch” (Roger Lemelin), “Wedding Belles” (Brett Hursey), and “We’re Still Fun, Right?” (Kevin Broccoli). Give the perfect gift, make a fashion statement, stand up to your boss, hit the panic button…you only live once! Closing night of Wave 1 is Saturday, July 25th.

Don’t forget about Wave 2, which begins on July 31st and runs through August 8th! Wave 2 Plays are: “A Rocky Relationship” (Chip Bolcik), “All The Way” (Steven Korbar), “Bottom of the 9th” (Rand Higbee), “Immersion Therapy” (David MacGregor), “Polly” (Ron Burch), “Santa Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (Patrick Gabridge), “The Big Picture” (Mark Harvey Levine), and “The Piggy Pit” (Laura King). Color your canvas, face your fear, take a leap, dance, believe in Santa, and knock it out of the park!