University of Idaho Theatre Arts Department presents First Bite New Play Series highlighting student-written works

MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts presents two student-written and produced play readings as part of the First Bite New Play Series.

The free virtual readings will be held via Zoom: “The Mire” at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29, and “Head of the Family” at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 4, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 5.

The scripts are written and directed by theatre arts Master of Fine Arts students. U of I alumna Kellie Stonebrook is producing the series, and MFA student Andrew Okerson serves as technical coordinator.

“These works are still finding their shape in the initial developmental stage,” said Robert Caisley, Theatre Arts Department chair and head of dramatic writing. “Students and audiences share a rare chance to witness how a play evolves between page and performance.”

“The Mire,” written by Trace Davis and directed by Jamie O’Reilly, examines the modern marital contract with unsentimental clarity, exposing how love, guilt and responsibility can entangle even the best intentions.

Spouses Reese and Gabriella find their fragile equilibrium upended by the persistent presence of Reese’s needy ex-wife. As loyalties are strained and emotional leverage becomes a weapon, Reese is forced into an impossible position: choosing between past obligations and present loyalty, where every option carries its own cost.  

“Taking part in the First Bite Series has been incredibly fun and informative,” Davis said. “I am excited that we have this kind of opportunity at U of I.”

After premiering in the First Bite New Play Series, “The Mire” will be presented as a staged reading at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre in Indianapolis at 7 p.m. Eastern Time May 8, as part of a partnership between Phoenix Theatre and the MFA Dramatic Writing Program at U of I. The partnership allows Davis to spend time in residence at Phoenix Theatre workshopping the script before presenting a public reading and receiving feedback from the audience.

“I feel very fortunate to have my show at the Phoenix Theatre,” Davis said. “It has been a lifelong dream to watch a show I’ve authored being read on a professional stage, and the partnership between U of I’s MFA program and the Phoenix Theatre is making it happen.”

The Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre is home to a performance collective that includes seven professional theatre companies, each its own nonprofit entity. Among them is the Phoenix Theatre, a union theatre dedicated to elevating new plays. For more information, visit phoenixtheatre.org.

“Head of the Family,” written by Laura Byron Wade and directed by Stephen Hohendorf-Parnell, is a comedic family debacle that takes the audience on a ride fueled by humor, mystery and suspense.

Adult siblings Max and Minnie are digging through their recently deceased father’s treasures in search of dark secrets, regrets and closure. When Minnie discovers something strange and illegal at her father’s house, she and Max go down a rabbit hole of clues to solve the mystery. Was their father in the Mafia or was he a serial killer? As they follow the map of secrets, they are joined by the sexy, fun-loving neighbor, Miss Nancy, who may hold the answers to all their questions, and Max’s handsome boyfriend, Joel, who has dark secrets of his own.

“I am delighted, honored and pleased as punch for this amazing opportunity as a writer for First Bite,” Byron Wade said. “Come join me to laugh and cry with Max, Minnie, Joel and Miss Nancy."

To learn more and register for the readings, visit linktr.ee/uidahotheatre.

Media contact

Alisa Volz
Communication strategist
Department of Theatre Arts and Lionel Hampton School of Music
208-885-6465
avolz@uidaho.edu