By Sheila Stieglitz, Miami-Dade County Parks

Poignant, humorous and edgy works that focus on local stories define the Deering Estate at Cutler’s Theatre Lab Project’s premiere performance of the 2nd annual South Florida “One-Minute Play Festival” (#1MPF).  The two-day grand opening celebration on Saturday, January 25th at 8:00 pm and Sunday, January 26th at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm celebrates the Estate’s new hybrid theatre that is nestled inside the Visitor Center.  The creation of this unique theatrical space sets the stage for a diverse lineup of literary and performing arts experiences for the community, and was made possible with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, Mr. & Mrs. John Fox, and the Deering Estate Foundation.

Opening with the “One-Minute Play Festival,” America’s largest and longest running short form theatre company, are original presentations by over 30 established and emerging South Florida playwrights commissioned for this event.  In selecting the plays, the company attempts to reflect the theatrical landscape of local artistic communities uses a specific inclusive playmaking process and seeks the representation of playwrights of different age, gender, race culture, and points of career.

Founder and Producing Artistic Director Dominic D’Andrea explained the requirements for participating in the festival. “The artists were asked to respond to the world around them using a one-minute format. These moments are to be inspired by life in their region – for the artists to think, act and respond to their community.”

The results of their work can be seen in over sixty “moments” featuring works by Michael McKeever, Michael Yawney, Juan C. Sanchez, Edward G. Excaliber, David Sirois, Mark Della Ventura, Alejendro Morales, Vanessa Garcia, Kimberly Patterson, Marj O’Neill-Butler, Edith Freni, Ron Mangravite, Ann Gillespie, Jessica Farr, James Carrey, Kim Ehly, Marla E. Schwartz, David Victor, Glenn Hutchinson, Brian Cohen, Kayley Rose, Mary Damiano, Brad Beckman, Marsha Myers, Allan Provost, Delores “Lola” Sendler, Cynthia Clay, Catherine Tully, Michael Rutenberg, Ricky J Martinez and Andie Arthur. On-site directors are: Nicole Stodard, Steven Chambers, Sheri Allender, Ivan Lopez, Gladys Ramirez, Wendy White and Andie Arthur. Tickets are $20 per show and can be purchased online or by calling 305-235-1668 ext. 233. For more information, please visit www.deeringestate.org. The Deering Estate at Cutler Visitor Center is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue, Miami. Please note that the performances contain mature content.

Located along the edge of Biscayne Bay, the 444-acre Deering Estate at Cutler is an environmental, archeological and historical preserve. The Estate is part of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, which manages the Estate on behalf of the State of Florida. The Deering Estate is also a cultural and educational facility that features classes and programs for children and adults, teacher training and research opportunities. The Estate also serves as a small conference center for community organizations and corporate groups who share Charles Deering’s interest in the environment, botany, history, fine arts, antiques, rare books and wine. For more information on the Deering Estate’s educational and cultural programs, please visit www.deeringestate.org.