Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance

Now in its twelfth year, the At First Sight New Works Festival will feature an exciting new musical by third year M.F.A. candidate David Davila, the always popular At First Shorts evening of new short plays, a series of panels hosted by M.F.A. Dramaturgy students featuring theatre makers from the Indiana community, and playwriting workshops with special guests. Students are joined by Festival Guest Artist, Kent Nicholson, and industry professionals who provide their insight and expertise throughout the weekend.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024

10:00 a.m.
Writing Plays During Troubled Times, a playwriting workshop with guest artist, *Penda Diouf. 

Join the Franco-Senegalese playwright in this two-hour workshop about writing plays that tackle important political and social issues. Penda will speak about her own writing practice and share writing exercises with participants.

Art Gallery, Mezzanine Floor, Lee Norvelle Theatre Center

4:30 p.m.
Identity, Exile, and Healing Through Theatre with guest artist, *Penda Diouf.
(in person and livestreamed event)

How do we heal from the trauma of exile and identity-based oppression? Can the theatre help us? In this meeting, the Franco-Senegalese playwright will discuss her work in an open conversation with our community, exploring these and other questions that stem from her own work.

Art Gallery, Mezzanine Floor, Lee Norvelle Theatre Center
Zoom Meeting, Register Here

6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Festival Kick Off Party - all welcome!

Art Gallery, Mezzanine Floor, Lee Norvelle Theatre Center

7:30 p.m.
Vox Pop! A Post-Democratic Musical by David Davila

Full production of 3rd-year M.F.A. playwright David Davila’s groundbreaking new musical by 3rd-year M.F.A. director Lauren Diesch.

Ruth N. Halls Theatre

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

7:30 p.m.
Vox Pop! A Post-Democratic Musical by David Davila

Ruth N. Halls Theatre

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024

6:00 p.m.
Broken Plays, a playwriting workshop
(in person and livestreamed)

Join Brazilian-Italian writer/director Ana Candida Carneiro, head of the M.F.A. in Playwriting program at IU Bloomington, in this two-hour workshop that will advocate for radical decolonial experimentation in playwriting processes.

The Aquarium Conference Room (A300), Lee Norvelle Theatre Center
Zoom link here

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024

7:30 p.m.
Vox Pop! A Post-Democratic Musical by David Davila

Ruth N. Halls Theatre

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

ALL DAY
Fall In Love At First Sight Installation 
Dramaturgical installation by the M.F.A. dramaturgy students

Studio Theatre (outside) – Lee Norvelle Theatre Center, 2nd floor

2:00 p.m.

Musical Theatre Workshop
With guest artist Kent Nicholson Kent Nicholson (new musical dramaturg, Broadway licensing)

Art Gallery, Mezzanine Floor, Lee Norvelle Theatre Center

7:30 p.m.
Vox Pop! A Post-Democratic Musical by David Davila

Ruth N. Halls Theatre

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
"Finding your People" With Playwright Patricia Kranke
Conversation with playwright, Patricia Kranke, founder of Telling Humans, a playwright group based in Chicago.

A152 - Auditorium Building

6:00 p.m.
Community Night Celebration
Join artists based in Bloomington, Indianapolis, and the wider Mid-West area in this joyful event to get to know each other, discuss and celebrate theatre.

Art Gallery, Mezzanine Floor, Lee Norvelle Theatre Center

7:30 p.m.
Vox Pop! A Post-Democratic Musical by David Davila

Ruth N. Halls Theatre

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Night of New Works With Special Guest Kara Davidson (director of new works, Paramount Theatre, Aurora, IL)

Studio Theatre – Lee Norvelle Theatre Center, 2nd floor

7:00 - 7:30 p.m.

The At First Sight Department Happy Hour
Join the At First Sight creative team to celebrate this special week with food and drinks.

Studio Theatre – Lee Norvelle Theatre Center, 2nd floor

7:30 p.m.
Vox Pop! A Post-Democratic Musical by David Davila

Ruth N. Halls Theatre

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2024

2:00 p.m.
Vox Pop! A Post-Democratic Musical by David Davila

Ruth N. Halls Theatre

7:30 p.m.
Vox Pop! A Post-Democratic Musical by David Davila

Ruth N. Halls Theatre

7:30 p.m.
Corpos d’Água | Bodies of Water

Performance by Afro-Brazilian multidisciplinary artist and CRESS International Visiting Fellow **Paulo Ramos (@pauloramosafro), followed by panel discussion with Beatrice Capote (Theatre & Dance), Micol Seigel (American Studies/CRESS), Solimar Otero (Latino Studies Program), and Maria Hamilton Abegunde (African American & African Diaspora Studies), moderated by Ana Carneiro (Theatre & Dance).

Studio Theatre – Lee Norvelle Theatre Center, 2nd floor