Cast reading of “Wipeout” by Aurora Real de Asua. (Photo provided/New Harmony Projects)
A weeklong celebration of new works is coming to Indianapolis in the form of PlayFest Indy.
The New Harmony Project, in partnership with eight local professional theater companies, is hosting the first PlayFest Indy, which aims to highlight Indianapolis as a hub for playwrights to come create, develop and showcase new works. PlayFest Indy is set for Sept. 9-15 and will premier new works and readings of eight American playwrights in venues around downtown Indianapolis.
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“PlayFest Indy is an incredibly exciting initiative for The New Harmony Project, and I am thrilled to bring these eight innovative playwrights to Indianapolis to collaborate with our vibrant local theatre companies,” Jenni Werner, executive artistic director of New Harmony Project, said in a statement. “Plays start out as the spark of an idea in the mind of a writer, and audiences aren’t usually invited into the process of developing those ideas into what you see produced onstage. But that’s our invitation to you — join us to see a story no one’s ever seen before, and help the writers bring their plays to life.”
PlayFest Indy officially kicks off with free, concert-style readings Sept. 13-15 in venues such as American Lives Theatre, Fonseca Theatre Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, Naptown African American Theatre Collective, Phoenix Theatre and Storefront Theatre of Indianapolis and Summit Performance.
READ MORE: Indiana Repertory Theatre welcomes new associate directors
Following each reading, guests will be invited to stay for a post-performance discussion with the playwright
However, earlier in the week, on Sept. 9-10, each PlayFest Indy writer and their teams will have a chance to start their creative journeys with a two-day retreat at the Athenaeum. During the retreat, playwrights, dramaturgs and directors will come together for in-depth script development workshops inspired by The New Harmony Project’s method of nurturing writers in a collaborative environment
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The workshops on Sept. 11-13 will instead focus on the actors, featuring rehearsals where they will learn to utilize local and national acting talent to bring the scripts to life.
The festival concludes on Sept. 15 with a closing party at 9:30 p.m. where attendees and participants can reflect on the week while looking forward to the future play development in Indianapolis.
All plays are free to attend, but reservations are strongly suggested. For more information about PlayFest Indy or to reserve tickets to any of the live readings, visit newharmonyproject.org/pfi.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
The Indianapolis Colts today released their Thursday injury report for Week 12 of the NFL season ahead of their Sunday game against the Detroit Lions.
Left tackle Bernhard Raimann missed practice again today due to a knee injury. Raimann has now missed both practices this week and looks like a major doubt for Sunday’s game. Raimann looks increasingly likely to miss a second game in a row due to his knee injury. If he is unable to play then expect rookie tackle Matt Goncalves to take his place at left tackle again as he did last week against the New York Jets.
Defensive end Tyquan Lewis (elbow) was a full participant at practice again today. Lewis spoke to the media today and said he was unsure if he would return this week but two practices in and his chances are looking very positive.
Right tackle Braden Smith (foot) was a full participant today at practice despite being limited yesterday. Smith looks set to be available for Sunday’s game against the Lions despite the limited practice yesterday. Smith should be available barring any late changes in practice tomorrow.
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Corner back Kenny Moore (knee) and wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr (back) and Josh Downs (calf) were all full participants at practice today despite being listed with injuries. Moore and Downs are new additions to the injury report today after not being listed yesterday but both being able to practice fully doesn’t look like the injuries will affect their availability for Sunday.
On Thursday morning, ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup with the Detroit Lions, the Indianapolis Colts announced a pair of practice squad moves.
The Colts will be bringing back a familiar face in offensive lineman Mark Glowinski and released cornerback Tre Flowers as the corresponding move in order to make room for this addition.
Glowinski is an experienced player, appearing in 124 career games, which includes 96 starts. He was with the Colts specifically from 2017-2021, along with also playing in Seattle from 2015-2017 and most recently with the New York Giants in 2022-2023.
Of Glowinski’s 124 NFL games, 59 came with the Indianapolis Colts.
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Glowinski has spent most of his NFL career playing right guard, but did spend some time at left guard with the Giants last season.
Most recently, he would go on to play 520 offensive snaps during the 2023 season, allowing six sacks and 17 pressures, although he graded out decently well as a run-blocker, according to PFF’s metrics.
The Colts are stockpiling offensive linemen on the practice squad, with Glowinski now the fifth member of that position group.
As of Thursday morning, left tackle Bernhard Raimann was on the Wednesday injury report as a non-participant as he still deals with a knee injury and right tackle Braden Smith was listed as a limited participant with a foot injury.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A charity of billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, have given a $2.5 million grant to an Indianapolis-based nonprofit health care provider that helps communities that are underserved and people who are homeless.
HealthNet Inc. announced the grant Wednesday in a news release. Kay Wiles, director of HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program, said in a statement that the money will help the nonprofit “refashion services for families, reducing the time they experience homelessness” in Indianapolis.
A news release from HealthNet said, “Specifically, HealthNet plans to use its funds to implement a ‘no wrong door’ approach for families experiencing homelessness. With an entry point team versed in housing problem-solving and the array of resources available to help families rapidly exit homelessness, HealthNet will increase family housing stability planning, streamlined connections to housing solutions, and creative collaboration among family shelter providers. These funds will have permanent impact.”
HealthNet has at least eight health centers in Indianapolis, and a location in Bloomington.
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The release also cited a 2024 report that says 34 affordable housing units are available for every 100 low-income households in Indiana, and 76% of Hoosiers spend more than half their income on housing.
Bezos, the founder of Amazon, for seven years has given grants to organizations working with families that are homeless. Experts on family homelessness helped chose recipients of grants from Bezos; Day 1 Families Fund. Bezos and Sánchez have been in a relationship for five years, getting engaged in May 2023. Sánchez said Wednesday morning in a media interview she’s in the midst of wedding planning.
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