AwareFest: A Green World

8 short plays about keeping our world green

October 1 - 16, 2010

The Bloomington Playwrights Project presented its first Mainstage program of the 2010/2011 Season, AwareFest: A Green World.  The event featured an evening of 8 new 10-minute plays by some of theatre’s biggest names on topics such as sustainable development, water conservation, carbon footprints and any number of issues related to “green” living.  Fun, contemporary and relevant, AwareFest: A Green World illustrated how the arts can positively impact our environment, while continuing entertain and enlighten audiences.

In addition to the production of new plays at the BPP, AwareFest hosted auxiliary arts events (sponsored by the Bloomington Entertainment & Arts District) related to the theme of “The Green World” across the entire city during its three-week run.  Partnerships with Lifecycle and other important community partners will made AwareFest a truly city-wide event.

The feature plays included:

Everyone Knows By Craig Wright

In the environment of poultry farming, the terrors aren’t for the chickens alone. On break, workers discuss matters in their own lives- and it seems as though some of the farm’s dread has seeped its way into one worker’s kitchen as he receives a special visitor. Where did this creature come from? And why is Donny saving a chicken a day from the farm?

Girl Scout World By Jon Marans

Hiding behind every sweet, seemingly innocuous Girl Scout smile may be the knowledge that “partially hydrogenated” really means transfat. Did you know that  FDA regulations state that, "if the serving contains less than 0.5 gram [of trans fat], the content, when declared, shall be expressed as zero." So, 0.4 grams equals zero, and a Girl Scout “thank you” means “sucker.” In Jon Marans’ A Girl Scout World, precocious Adrienne yearns for a time when people can put down the cookie once they know that it’s bad for them.

Dream House By Israel Horovitz

Duane and Crystals’ home has a windmill farm, an unfailing septic system, woodstove heating, solar paneling and more. When posed with a more than generous offer for their home, the couple has a very difficult decision to make. All the work they have put into the house-is the money worth leaving it? And what about their sustainable lifestyle, it the money worth that?

Lady With Lapdog By Michael Healey

If Canada and America could meet and shake hands, what might that look like? They might talk about how one of them must use an inconceivable amount of ‘non-green’ energy sources, creating a myriad of environmental consequences…and how the other country doesn’t mind. One country visits Las Vegas a lot, and, the other country doesn’t mind. It’s a great relationship! Or is it?

Public Relations Disaster By Wendy MacLeod

What do jaunty top hats and oil covered pelicans have in common? Absolutely nothing.  But sometimes a public relations director’s job is to change perceptions. In the case of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill with it’s record 4.9 million spilled barrels of crude oil, a lot of perceptions need changing. At least 53,000 barrels per day isn’t 60,000, and 400 endangered species is apparently a small figure.

Time To Change The Pitch By Trace Crawford (winner of the AwareFest National Playwriting Contest)

In Trace Crawford’s Time To Change The Pitch, a family faces the decision of buying a "Green," alternative fuel vehicle. Will it be cost effective in the long term? Will it help save the environment?  And most importantly, will it impress the neighbors? So many things to consider on the path to change. Oh, and last but not least, what about the safety of the car? With a history of accidents and recalls, is an alternative fuel vehicle really the right choice?

Six Lights By Joseph S. Walker (winner of the AwareFest Local Playwriting Contest)

Sustainability may mean more than printing with recycled paper. With the Earth’s peak population estimated to be nine to ten billion by 2070, truly living with sustainability in mind may encompass a wider range of actions than we realize. In Six Lights we hear of a dimly lit future while we retrace our past.

The Rocks By Erdin Schultz-Bever (winner of the AwareFest Local High School Playwriting Contest)

John reminisces as he takes the same beautiful hike he took with his deceased wife some years before. Why doesn’t his daughter enjoy the hike as much he does? Perhaps her text messages are getting in the way. As the two of them hike further, a special area in the woods awaits them…But will it be same, all these years later?