SATE will present the Seventh Annual Aphra Behn Festival, May 5-7, 2023, at Fontbonne University. The theme for the 2023 Festival is “Re-Told” and will utilize plays from Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre’s Expand the Canon list of classical plays by women & underrepresented genders.
Established in 2017, the Aphra Behn Festival’s goal is to give women interested in directing and writing for theatre an opportunity to get more experience, experiment, and hone their craft. The Festival is named for the fascinating poet, translator, and spy, Aphra Behn, who is widely considered to be the first English woman to make her living as a playwright. SATE now looks to make the Festival a more inclusive space for transgender and non-binary artists, as well.
This year’s list of ingredients for plays to be submitted in the 2023 Festival included that the playwright write a re-telling, adaptation, or response to one of the plays on Hedgepig Theatre Ensemble’s Expand the Canon list. SATE will host readings of all three “Re-Told” plays the following dates: February 19, March 19, and April 30. SATE will announce additional information about the readings on its social media platforms.
In 2023, SATE will produce three original plays written and directed by the following artists.
Bold Stroke for a Villain by Summer Baer, directed by Emma Glose
Based off Bold Stroke for a Husband by Hannah Cowley
Welcome to purgatory! Victoria, condemned to an eternity of reflection, attempts to call into the void to someone she wronged but gets Elle Woulds instead.
Lieblingstante by Aurora Behlke, directed by Kayla Bush
Based off The Uncle by Princess Amalie of Saxony
Julius introduces his girlfriend to his aunt Claudia. Who knows where the conversation may go after one or two (or four) glasses of wine.
reANIMA by Aly Kantor, directed by Britney N. Daniels
Based off Anima (Her Soul) by Amelia P. Rosselli
Cricket totaled her meat vessel at a party—but not to worry! Her best friend has an industry hookup and made her a brand new one with all the bells and whistles she could ever want (and a few she’s slightly reluctant about). Now everything can get back to normal…right?
Audition information can be found on under the Auditions banner.
SATE’s 2023 Aphra Behn Festival is made possible by funding from the Missouri Arts Council, the Regional Arts Commission, and The Steven Nelson Memorial Playwright’s Fund.
Information about the rest of SATE’s Season “Re-Told” will be announced in the weeks ahead.
SATE 