Powerstories Connected Online Global Audience

TAMPA BAY, FL — Powerstories Theatre, in collaboration with Outcast Theatre Collective, closed the inaugural the Voices of Truth Theatre Festival that was live-streamed online and in Powerstories' film-friendly enhanced theater.

The festival showcased new and established playwrights, directors, and local, national, and international casts to a global audience. The closing ceremony was shared on Facebook Live as awards were presented in three categories on Saturday night, April 3.

Honoring its mission statement to "stage true stories to open hearts and minds," this virtual festival was a first for the theater whose other festivals have included Shevolution, a celebration of women-centric stories.

For three weeks – March 10-28, patrons enjoyed a showcase of stories based on truth followed by powerful talks with the playwright, director and cast members live on Zoom.

"In this time in our country's history, we feel compelled to bring about the Voices of Truth Festival to increase courage and confidence, deepen appreciation for diversity, and strengthen the bonds between people," Powerstories Theatre founder Fran Powers said. "Whether you are an actor, a director or an audience member, we all miss that feeling that telling a truth only live theater can give."

Featured during its 16-day-run were the original or curated works of Gloria Rosen (Listen… Can You Hear Me Now?), Sheri Whittington (Trifles), Dwayne Yancey (Miss Mitchell's Comet), Julliette Moore (A Conversation with Myself), Rich Courage (The Very Last Dance of Homeless Joe), Outcast Theatre Collective (Scenes from Outcast and Where Are You From, From?), David John Preece (Dancing Among the Wildflowers), Peter Nason and Deborah Bostock-Kelley (A Necessary Conversation), Ellen Kaplan (Survivor), Elizabeth Indianos (No Know Nothing), Bretton Reis (Stat Geek in Natick), Leigh Flayton (Classic Six) and Pamela Bulu (45).

At Saturday's closing ceremony, playwright Leigh received the Founder's Choice award for Classic Six, a play described by fellow playwright Bretton as "#MeToo-era response to "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf."

Playwrights Nason and Bostock-Kelley took home Critic's Choice for A Necessary Conversation. This two-part play took an unflinching look at mental health, bullying, gun violence and its aftermath. The show featured 47 Reasons to Live, a tale of the inner workings of a potential school shooter, and 11:11 explored the adult and teen survivors left behind.

Reis earned first place from the judges for the Opening Minds and Hearts award. Stat Geek in Natick told the true tale of a young sports talk radio enthusiast. As his relationship with Boston's most popular show grew, his battle with a vicious eating disorder intensified.

The second-place award for Opening Minds and Hearts went to Moore for A Conversation with Myself, a true story about a young trans woman's struggle to free her true self and find her place in the world.

Third place for Opening Minds and Hearts was earned by Courage for The Very Last Dance of Homeless Joe, about a female writer who interviewed people who were homeless, each pointing her to a heartbreaking conversation with Joe.

The festival accomplished the theater's mission statement by connecting to a global audience and giving theater back to the artists lost without it.

"The Voices of Truth Theatre Festival was a bright light in a time of darkness in the theater industry. One of our main goals was to help artists," said Powers. "Because we produced 16 shows, 70 artists locally and across the nation engrossed themselves in a meaningful and creative project."

While the Voices of Truth Festival has ended, upcoming this summer is the Voices of Youth Festival, followed by a woman's festival in fall.

To learn more about Powerstories and upcoming events, visit www.powerstories.com or Facebook.com/powerstories theatre.