*This Project is a Product of the UMBC Department of Theatre Directing 1 (THTR 350) Class taught by Nikki Hartman* Our class final is to direct a full scene from a previously selected play. I have selected a scene from Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart.

Cast: Lenny - Misaki Weddington

Meg - Jazmine McDonald
Babe - Jadyn Fleming

The story, originally a play written by Beth Henley and then adapted into a 1986 film starring Jessica Lange, Diane Keaton, and Sissy Spacek, follows three southern sisters as they struggle to cope with life and trauma. One sister shoots her husband, causing the scrambling matriarchy to re-group and reveal raw wounds.

This film was created in 72 Hours for the Frederick 72 Hour Film Festival. It recieved the award for Best Student Film. The story is as follows: "

A physically charged relationship goes south with revelation of an ongoing scandal."

How has Queer Theater and its influence changed from the past until now? Following the Success of the rock opera RENT, Queer theater shot up into the mainstream. 30 years later, the influence of queer theater is still rippling throughout the world. The University of Maryland Baltimore County is embracing this evolution with their Black Box performance of, SHOUT, The Queer Theater Project. A collection of scenes, songs, and monologues that showcase queer theater history. How has the theater world adapted to this change over this 30 year period?

UMBC Theatre presents the American premiere of Slime by Bryony Lavery, directed by Nigel Semaj. Welcome to the Third Annual Slime Crisis Conference! Seven grad students, all fluent in animal languages, linguistics, and culture, join delegates of almost every species to save life on earth from a toxic slime. As they debate and translate for dolphins, seabirds, and polar bears, they ask, “Who is coming to save us?” The answer might surprise you….

Photo by Kiirtsn Pagan