In July 2024 Don Frantz and Viktoriya Nemchenko, leading actress of the state theater in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, announced a short play festival, “Uncovered Scenes – from Ukraine” produced by Town Square Productions with participation from New York’s Ensemble Studio Theater, Vinnytsia Mykola Sadovsky Music and Drama Theater and New York City’s Ukrainian Institute of America (UIA).  

On March 27, 2025, commemorating UNESCO’s 62nd annual World Theater Day, the festival will premiere a 100-minute staged reading of 8 new short plays hosted by the Ukrainian Institute of America.  The 8 plays are representative of the 30 original plays written by 30 writers from United States, Canada and Hungary, who have been partnered with a Ukrainian resident for online interviews.   Based on their conversations the writers’ goal was to contribute to the theme, “Uncovered Scenes – from Ukraine” and provide a statement about those struggling with the consequences of war.    

During her visit to New York, Ms. Nemchenko requested the writers to, ‘Please show your audience what is happening here.”    When asked about the goals of the project, Mr Frantz said, “Our first goal was already accomplished when the writers call Ukraine.  Our residents feel like someone over here cares about them. The writers’ eyes are opened.  Now we bring the names and personalities of our Ukrainian friends to the stage which conveys truths that headline news cannot.”

The titles alone convey the challenging environment: “Dance of the Warrior”, “Mother Tongue”, “Power”, “The Understudy”, “Staying”, “The Shot”, and “A Parting.”

The March 27th staged reading will focus on the written script, without set, lights or costumes and directed by Ray Roderick, Tom Costello, and Rebecca Holderness.   All 30 plays will be provided to the Vinnytsia Theater for consideration of a Ukrainian presentation.   

All production costs and stipends for director, actors, production staff and the six selected writers are funded by Town Square Productions.  Donations for additional support to the artists may be made though the Ukrainian Institute of America.

Updates will be posted on https://townsquareproductions.com/ukraine/

For more information or inquiry write: Ukraine@TownSquareProd.com