After 10 successful festivals since 2015, Theatre Lab, the professional resident company of Florida Atlantic University, is partnering with the Department of Theatre & Dance to take the annual New Play Festival to the next level! What began as a weekend-long series of readings of new plays, will now become a weeks-long festival featuring two full productions of new plays, a non-traditional theatrical experience focused on improving wellbeing, and readings of even more new plays!
April 5, 2025, will mark the official start of the 2025 “Owl” New Play Festival when Theatre Lab opens their World Premier production of The Impossible Task of Today by Jeff Bower. The following week the Department of Theatre & Dance will open a fully-realized workshop production of The Frankenstein Project by E.M. Lewis and, in conjunction with Theatre Lab and New Neighborhood Theater, present The Happiness Gym, a non-traditional theater experience which guides participants through theatricalized versions of scientifically proven exercises to boost well-being. Through April 20, theatre-lovers and new play enthusiasts are invited to join us on the Boca Raton campus of FAU to experience these three events, readings of more new plays, and additional lectures/discussions on the themes found in the work.
With a focus on community engagement and providing an artistic laboratory and a home for playwrights, Theatre Lab has established itself and FAU as a force in the national new play scene. Join us for the inaugural year of the “Owl” New Play Festival as we put beautiful Boca Raton, FL on the map as one of the premier destinations for new plays!
EVERYTHING IS SUPER GREAT BY STEPHEN BROWN | 2019
The Impossible Task of Today by Jeff Bower
A World Premiere
April 5-20, 2025
Theatre Lab, Heckscher Stage
The Frankenstein Project by E.M. Lewis
A fully-realized workshop production April 11-20, 2025
The Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre
The Happiness Gym A theatrical exercise in well-being
Created by Ken Weitzman & New Neighborhood, Based on an original concept by Ken Weitzman
April 12-20
Brandstar Studio
THE IMPOSSIBLE TASK OF TODAY BY JEFF BOWER
The Impossible Task of Today by Jeff Bower A World Premiere
Directed by Matt Stabile, Producing Artistic Director, Theatre Lab Heckscher Stage
Five years removed from tragedy, Jack, an agoraphobic online teacher has perfected his video game playing skills but severely neglected his hygiene,mental health, and dwindling number of personal relationships. When the grocery delivery guy is one of your best friends, something’s got to give,and with the arrival of a home gym, everything will change. Jack truly believes it...even if no one else does.
An audience favorite from Theatre Lab’s 2023 New Play Festival, this stunning new play uses humor and hope to explore issues of gun violence, mental health, and the dangers of social media - all while reminding us that the only way to move through difficult times is together.
April 5-20, 2025
Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm, Sundays at 3pm Saturday matinees (3pm) on 4/12 & 4/19
Approximate run-time: 90 minutes, no intermission Individual Tickets: $35-45
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT BY E.M. LEWIS
A fully-realized workshop production
Directed by Margaret M. Ledford,
Artistic Director, City Theatre Miami
The Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre
In 1816, Mary Shelley grieves for her lost child and conjures a creature that looks a lot like her beloved husband. In the present, Mary Lattimore tries to write a paper about Mary Shelley’s book for her high school English class but gets distracted by the new friendship she begins with an AI robot her father has created and brought home. The Frankenstein Project is about the monsters we battle, the monsters we create, and the monsters we (sometimes) are.
Following Theatre Lab’s 2022’s hit World Premiere production of her play Dorothy’s Dictionary, award-winning playwright E.M. Lewis returns to Boca with her newest creation. The Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to provide a first home for this exciting new script which connects stories of the past with those we’re living in today.
April 11-20, 2025
Performances Fridays-Saturdays at 7pm, Sundays at 2pm Saturday matinee (4/19) 2:30pm
Approximate run-time: 2hrs & 30 mins with a 15-minute intermission
Individual Tickets: $25
THE HAPPINESS GYM
A THEATRICAL EXERCISE IN WELL-BEING
Created by Ken Weitzman and New Neighborhood
Based on an Original Concept by Ken Weitzman Brandstar Studio
Since the early 2000s there’s been a large and successful movement in psychology to study happiness. Despite the huge number of books, apps, websites, toolkits, seminars, and podcasts on wellbeing, many, many people find themselves struggling to attempt or continue practices which have been empirically proven to boost happiness. One major reason is that the burden of it ultimately rests on the individual, but what if we created more of a communal venture?
With two plays centered on technology and well-being, it was only natural to include an event conceived from scientifically proven methods to boost happiness and authentic human connection! The Happiness Gym is an interactive, experiential, immersive event that theatricalizes empirical research on well-being and happiness. Over the course of 90 minutes, participants are welcomed into a theatrically designed space and guided through elegantly simple exercises and experiences which are scientifically-proven to boost happiness. It’s fun, beneficial, community-building, and, ideally, provides skills with the potential to create lasting change.
Developed and first piloted at Stony Brook University (NY), this first professional production of the project is a collaboration between playwright and educator Ken Weitzman, New Neighborhood, a theater company specializing in socially interactive installations, Theatre Lab, and the Florida Atlantic Department of Theatre & Dance.
*The Happiness Gym is recommended for ages 16 and up and requires participants to interact with one another, handle lightweight objects, and maneuver throughout a space. Please take these requirements into consideration prior to booking the experience.
April 12-20
Saturdays at 1pm, 5pm and 7:30pm Sundays at 1pm and 3:30pm
During the final two weekends of the festival (April 12-20), selected readings of new works will be offered, including the first public reading of the winner of the 2025 Fair Play Initiative, a commission and development program for LGBTQ+ plays and stories made possible with support from Our Fund Foundation. Readings are presented free-of-charge (donations encouraged) and will take place in The Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre.
Saturday, April 12, 2025
2:30pm: Reading of Donner: An American Musical Tragedy by Cait Siobhan Kiley and Joel Rodriguez
Sunday, April 13, 2025
12:00pm: Reading of short plays by high school students in Theatre Lab’s LabRATS program
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
7:00pm: Original short plays, scenes, and monologues from students in FAU’s Playwriting 101
Saturday, April 19, 2025
12:00pm: 2025 Fair Play Initiative: The Last Queen of San Domino by Chandler Hubbard
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The final two weekends of the festival (April 11-13 & April 18-20) offer out-of-town visitors the best opportunities to attend the most events in a single weekend. Create your own itinerary and immerse yourself in new plays for a full weekend!
The Impossible Task of Today by Jeff Bower (ITT) at Theatre Lab, Heckscher Stage (90 mins)
The Frankenstein Project by E.M. Lewis (FP) at the Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre (2hrs 30mins)
The Happiness Gym, a theatrical exercise in well-being (HG) at the Brandstar Studio Theatre (90 mins)
Readings of New Plays (R) at the Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre (90 mins)
TICKETING & HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
TICKETS
The Impossible Task of Today by Jeff Bower Reserved Seating: $35-$45 Opening Night Celebration (4/5/25): $60
The Frankenstein Project by E.M. Lewis Reserved Seating: $25
The Happiness Gym, a theatrical exercise in well-being General Admission: $30
THE MAIN EVENTS PACKAGE
Choose your dates and times for all three productions for only $90!
Group discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Already a season subscriber? Contact the box office and receive a $5 discount per additional ticket or event!
Tickets at fauevents.com or (561) 297-6124 Box Office Hours: M-F, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
PARKING & DIRECTIONS
WE ENCOURAGE ALL OUR GUESTS TO PARK IN PARKING GARAGE 2
EAST FROM I-95:
1. If you are coming from I-95, exit Glades Road EAST.
2. Make a LEFT turn onto NW 13 Street/East University Drive (Second Entrance).
3. Make a LEFT at the first stop sign onto Arts Avenue.
4. Make a LEFT into Parking Garage 2 (PK-88).
WEST FROM FEDERAL HIGHWAY:
1. If you are coming from Federal Highway, head WEST on Glades Road.
2. Make a RIGHT turn onto NW 13 Street/East University Drive (First Entrance).
3. Make a LEFT at the first stop sign onto Arts Avenue.
4. Make a LEFT into Parking Garage 2 (PK-88).
SOUTH FROM SPANISH RIVER BLVD.:
1. If you are coming from Spanish River, turn SOUTH onto NW 8th Avenue/FAU Boulevard.
2. Make a slight left to stay on NW 8th Avenue/FAU Boulevard.
3. Turn LEFT onto East University Drive.
4. Turn RIGHT onto Arts Avenue.
5. Make a LEFT into Parking Garage 2 (PK-88).
ON CAMPUS DIRECTIONS
To get to Theatre Lab (located directly next to Parking Garage 2 (PK-88)):
1. Once parked, walk SOUTHWEST out the parking garage, along the lakeside walkway.
2. Theatre Lab is located inside Parliament Hall (building 102), attached to the SOUTHWEST corner of the parking garage.
To get to the Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre & Brandstar Studio (located in the Performing Arts building):
1. Once parked, walk LEFT out of the parking garage along Arts Avenue.
2. Turn LEFT onto Palm Beach Avenue.
3. The Performing Arts Building will be on your RIGHT, just past the University Theatre. There is a tall, white tower atop the building.
4. Enter the Performing Arts building and Studio One will be down the hall on your LEFT, just past the Art Gallery. This is also the lobby/waiting area for The Happiness Gym.
*Shuttle service is available from Parking Garage 2 to Studio One and Brandstar Studio.
THE IMPRACTICALITY OF MODERN DAY MASTODONS BY RACHEL TEAGLE | 2021
SUPPORT & SOCIAL
Stay updated as the festival continues to grow. Visit our website, sign up for our mailing list, and follow us on social media!
The generosity of our community members ensures critical general operating support for the festival. Less than 20% of our current budget comes through ticket sales–the rest is made up through individual contributions, foundation grants, and support from local cultural agencies. A special thank you to the Theatre Lab Inner Circle members and these sponsors for helping to support the Owl New Play Festival.
DIANE & JOHN DALSIMER AND THE DAVID KIMMEL FOUNDATION, EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: THE IMPOSSIBLE TASK OF TODAY
STOOPS FAMILY FOUNDATION FUND OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR PALM BEACH & MARTIN COUNTIES, EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: THE HAPPINESS GYM
THE OUR FUND FOUNDATION SPONSORS OF THE FAIR PLAY INITIATIVE
THE CULTURAL COUNCIL OF THE PALM BEACHES
Please consider joining our community by making a contribution of your own! Your generosity goes directly to the artists and work you see on stage helps us continue to produce high-quality, thought-provoking plays that entertain and inspire!
NOTE: a portion of your contribution may be tax-deductible based on any goods or services according to IRS guidelines
For more information or to make a donation: Please call 561-297-2337 or go online at fau.edu/theatrelab
