Playfest begins first of two weekends in Port Townsend today

PORT TOWNSEND — The first weekend of the 23rd annual PlayFest, a showcase of new works by nationally known and local playwrights, begins today.

Single tickets for plays and events range from free to $10 to $20, while the PlayFest pass allows the theatergoer to see as many as eight plays for $35. The $95 Writer’s Pass includes Tira Palmquist’s intensive workshop.

Key City Public Theatre is the presenter of numerous one-act productions, staged readings, open rehearsals, full performances and workshops with Jefferson County playwrights plus visiting artists Palmquist of California and Henry Feldman of New York City.

Locals Weekend

Locals Weekend is up first. Today through Sunday, theatergoers have their first chance to see and discuss:

• “Karma Descending” by David Hundhausen, in which the kids are home for the weekend, mom’s drinking and there’s a secret in the basement.

• “The Vortex,” Doug Given’s play about a couple attempting to get out of their rut.

• Deborah Wiese’s “The Cord,” about a grandmother and grandson whose bond of love just might prevent a tragedy.

• “Coffin Nails” by Christopher Clow, in which there will be casualties in a war of words.

• “Red Tide” by Kimberly Hinton, in which the tide’s coming, though you may not know when.

• “Stationary,” Lillie Moses’ tale of a train station, four strangers and one common thread.

More is set next weekend, March 8-10.

Here is the schedule:

March 8

• 1 p.m. — One-act readings: “Coffin Nails,” “Red Tide,” “Stationary,” $10, at Pope Marine Building, 603 Water St.

• 3 p.m. — One-act productions: “Karma Descending,” “The Cord,” “The Vortex,” $15.

• 5 p.m. — “Global Warming: A Comedy” performance, Pope Marine Building, $10.

• 7:30 p.m. — An evening with featured playwright Palmquist, with a performance of her play “Hold Steady,” $20.

March 9

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Playwriting workshop with Palmquist, free, Pope Marine Building.

• 1:30 p.m. — Teen Lab teen writer talk with Palmquist, $10.

• 4 p.m. — “Needles & Pins” workshop performance, $10, Pope Marine Building.

• 5:30 p.m. — Open rehearsal of “Hold Steady,” free.

• 7:30 p.m. — Working Drafts play workshop, $10.

• 7:30 p.m. — Open rehearsal of “Global Warming: A Comedy,” free, Pope Marine Building.

March 10

 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Playwriting Intensive with Palmquist, $65, Pope Marine Building.

• 2 p.m. — One-act readings: “Coffin Nails,” “Red Tide,” “Stationary,” $10, Pope Marine Building.

• 3:30 p.m. — “Hold Steady” performance, $10.

• 5:30 p.m. — “Global Warming: A Comedy” performance, $10, Pope Marine Building.

• 7:30 p.m. — One-act productions: “Karma Descending,” “The Cord,” “The Vortex,” $15

For more information, and to purchase tickets, see keycitypublictheatre.org.

More in Entertainment

Shown from a previous Port Townsend Chamber Music Series concert are, back row, from left to right, Marina Rosenquist, Michael Carroll, Joel Wallgren, Pamela Roberts and Sung-Ling Hsu. Front row, from left to right, are Mike McLeron, William Walden and Guy Smith.
Chamber series to host benefit concert for marching band trip

The Port Townsend Chamber Music Series will perform a… Continue reading

Yard and Garden lecture series to focus on birds, biodiversity

Steve Hampton will present “Backyard Sanctuaries: Gardening for Birds… Continue reading

Presentation to highlight impact on Indian boarding schools

Andrew Pascua will present “The Impact of Indian Boarding… Continue reading

Shirley Rudolph’s “Feeling Frazzled” will be part of the Peninsula Art Friends’ ongoing exhibit at Sequim Museum and Arts.
Venues to host red-themed First Friday Art Walk

The First Friday Art Walk will celebrate with a red-themed… Continue reading

Writer Lindy West will bring her show, “Every Castle, Ranked,” to Field Arts & Events Hall on Friday. (Jenny Jimenez)
‘Every Castle, Ranked’ to arrive at Field Hall

Writer Lindy West tells a different fairy tale

Leslie Saxon West and her husband Alan explore on a Zodiac in Greenland. (Leslie Saxon West)
Youth to present Shakespearean play in Port Townsend

A youth-presented Shakespearean play, an amateur comedy night and an English-style concertina… Continue reading

Squeezebox Rebellion, from left, Rolf Vegdahl, Annie Benson, Otto Smith, Jeff Hammond and Bill Wood, will host an English concertina showcase on Sunday at Finnriver Farm and Cidery in Chimacum.
English-style concertina band to perform at Finnriver

Squeezebox Rebellion will present a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday.… Continue reading

Taylor to speak during Yard and Garden series

Lisa Taylor will present “Designing for Drought: Waterwise Designs… Continue reading

Caitlin Canty will perform Wednesday at Rainshadow Recording at Fort Worden.
Rainshadow Concerts to host Caitlin Canty

Caitlin Canty will perform during Rainshadow Concerts at 7:30… Continue reading

Human trafficking prevention to be discussed at Studium Generale

Sgt. Marlies Dick will present “Awareness of Human Trafficking… Continue reading