The Ypsilanti-based New Theatre Project is currently in the midst of an international collaboration titled, "Connecting Creativity: A Trans-Atlantic Co-production," which features several monologues written by Irish playwrights for American actors, as well as a recorded performance of the Irish company performing monologues written just for them by company members of The New Theatre Project in Michigan. The theme of all of the pieces will be "Connecting to the Unknown." The playwrights will only have virtually “met” their performers for a brief moment over Skype before creating the piece for them.

The American performers will feature TNTP Ensemble members Audra Lord, Elise Randall ("If You Start a Fire [Be Prepared to Burn]," "The Everyman Project"), Ben Stange ("Posing"), and Medelis ("Fugue"), as well as guests Linda Rabin Hammell ("Fugue") and Melissa Coppola ("The American Crowbar Case"). The American playwrights involved include Joseph Zettlemaier, recently featured in American Theatre Magazine; TNTP ensemble members Audra Lord ("Fugue") and Russ Schwartz, and guests Kevin Kautzman ("If You Start a Fire [Be Prepared to Burn]"), creator and composer of "The American Crowbar Case," Gray Bouchard, and newcomer Emily Roll. Due to scheduling restrictions with the event, TNTP replaced the previously announced "4 in 24" with this unique opportunity. The live American performance, featuring recordings of the Irish performance, will take place on Sunday, April 15 at 8 p.m., and some events in the program have already taken place, but those still coming up are:

"Wolf Cry Wolf," by Kevin Kautzman, directed by Keith Paul Medelis, on Saturday, March 31 at 8 p.m. Featuring Jane Bruce, Brian Flores, and Elise Randall Ten years after her sudden and mysterious disappearance, Steph returns to find her estranged childhood friend Jane. Together they descend into the past and relive the summer Jane taught Steph how to turn into a wolf. "Wolf Cry Wolf" looks at the fine line between memory and imagination and the lies we tell to survive our shadows.

"Cloudy/Clear," inspired by Tennessee Williams, an adaptation by Keith Paul Medelis, directed by Jim Manganello, on Sunday, April 1 at 8 p.m., featuring Jane Bruce, Caleb Kruzel, and Medelis. “When someone hurts us deeply, we no longer see them at all clearly. Not until time has put them back in focus.” -Tennessee Williams The first reading of a work-in-progress. This contemporary piece explores one of the last plays written by Tennessee Williams, largely autobiographical, in an entirely re-imagined way. A play about love and memory and the impossibility of both to be completely clear.

"Connecting Creativity: A Trans-Atlantic Co-Production with The New Theatre Project and The Break-Away Project," on Sunday, April 15 at 8 p.m.

All readings take place at the Mix Studio Theater, located at 130 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti. There is a suggested donation of $10 for all of the Spring New Works Series events. All proceeds benefit the mission of The New Theatre Project to provide an outlet for collaborative, new work development in Southeast Michigan. Tickets can be reserved at tickets@thenewtheatreproject.org or by calling the box office at 734-645-9776. Please visit us online at www.thenewtheatreproject.org for more details.