‘New Faces’ director, actor showcase returns Aug. 19

SUFFIELD » The Suffield Players’ New Faces 2017, designed to teach, inspire and develop the talents of all participants, showcases new actors, directors and playwrights. New Faces 2017 will be presented on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 2 and 7 p.m. at Mapleton Hall in Suffield.

Now in its sixth year, the program is a fresh approach to theatre, as many of the thespians involved are new to acting OR new to The Suffield Players, and the works being performed are new as well.

Nine directors will lead the learning, and 21 actors from throughout Western Massachusetts and Connecticut will participate.

The directors are Rachel Berezin (Longmeadow MA), Lisa Parker (Suffield); Ryan Bird (Somers), Hal Chernoff (Simsbury), David Crowell (Windsor CT), Zach Gray (Enfield, CT), Robert Lunde (Springfield, MA), Bill Mullen (Simsbury), and Kelly Seip (Springfield MA).

Playwrights whose new works will be performed are Alex Chernoff, Donna Hoke, Amanda Keating, Paul Lewis, and Joe Starzyk.

The New Faces 2017 acting ensemble: Jan Albetski (Broad Brook), Paul Gessay (Windsor), Clay Hampton (Hartford), Jaquan Harris (Bridgeport), Lisa Jaye (Tariffville), Lizz Mangan (Tolland), Katelin Meehan (Middletown), Barb McCormick (Chicopee MA), Nicole Murray (Agawam MA), Josh Prouser (Broad Brook), Suzanne Romano (West Suffield), Dylan Snay (Stafford Springs), Theresa Szymanski (West Hartford), Chelsea Viets (West Suffield) and Christine Zdebski (Somers,).

The Suffield Players also welcome back several participants from past New Faces programs, who join this summer’s company to support the newcomers: Theresa Allie (Westfield MA), Mason Beiter (Suffield), Mary Fernandez-Sierra (Russell MA), Suzanne Robertson (South Windsor), Trish Urso (Windsor) and Bruce Torrey (East Longmeadow MA).

Mapleton Hall is located at 1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield. Seating is general admission only; no reservations are required, and tickets are $10 at the door.

To learn more, visit www. suffieldplayers.org or call