The Zeiders American Dream Theater has a hand in many genres.
Commonly called The Z, the theater in Virginia Beach Town Center collaborates and presents works every year by musicians, filmmakers, dancers, playwrights and visual artists. Its annual arts celebration, the Proteus Festival, exhibits all art forms produced by the many and varied artists the theater fosters.
This year’s festival will continue through next week with a series of ticketed events before concluding in a grand style.
On Oct. 11, The Z will host a free block party featuring live performances, entertainment for children and award ceremonies, Executive Director Terry Flint said.
“What Proteus Festival is,” she said, “is a celebration of what the Z brings the community all year long.”
Here’s the schedule:
Thursday through Saturday: New Plays Festival
The Z put out a call for new scripts, and local playwrights responded by submitting original works this summer. A panel of judges whittled submissions down to a final five for dramatic readings, and attendees can pick their favorite.
Starting at 6:30 p.m., three of the plays will be read Thursday, two Friday. Both nights, the readings will begin with short presentations by members of the Rouge Young Playwrights, a Hampton Roads youth playwriting group.
All five original scripts will be read aloud from 1-9 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets are listed as “pick your price”: People can hear the readings for free or pay up to $25.
Oct. 9: Creative Teams Performances
Teams of artists who signed up to compete will create works based on the prompt “10.” The mixed media works of differing styles will be presented to the public at 7:30 p.m. Pick your price.
Oct. 10: Proteus Music Contest
Six musical acts by emerging and early-career artists will perform starting at 7 p.m. A panel of music industry professionals will crown a winner. Pick your price.
Oct. 11: Proteus block party and comedy show
At the block party, people can learn the winners of the festival’s music, creative teams and theater contests as well as enjoy street fair activities. 1-7 p.m. in and around the Zeiders American Dream Theater.
At 8 p.m., Plan B Comedy will perform. Tickets cost $15, or $13 for older adults and military, $10 for students.