Words and Images courtesy of The Z.
Zeiders American Dream Theater (The Z) in Virginia Beach Town Center is bringing back its flagship Proteus Festival from September 28-October 7, with a celebration of theater, music, comedy, and art of all forms.
Proteus Block Party, Oct. 7 from 2-7pm, FREE
Free and open to all, the Proteus Block Party is a family-friendly community event that celebrates the arts with a variety of experiences, performances, and activities all day long. Comedy, children’s theater, and music performances will take place on the outdoor stage, and a sampler of the open mic slate will perform musical theater, spoken word and acoustic songs.
Proteus New Plays, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 & Oct. 6-7 at 7pm
Theater lovers can play a role in selecting their audience favorite of the 2023 Proteus New Plays, featuring four new scripts performed in repertory. New works written in the Z Playwrights Lab are performed live on the studio theater stage, and audiences will rate their favorite shows to pick the winner. The 2023 Audience Favorite Play will receive an extended 2-weekend run at The Z this November. This year’s selected plays are:
The Truth Be Told by P.A. Wray - directed by Sharon Cook
Boxes of Someday by Lou Stalsworth - directed by Sharon Cook
The Lessons by Jennie Brown - directed by Patrick Mullins
Insects and Giants by Clyde Santana - directed by Patrick Mullins
Proteus Music Contest, Oct. 6 at 8pm
Local musicians perform in the Proteus Music Contest, featuring your favorite emerging artists from the 757. Five finalists, including the audience favorite selected by a community vote, compete in a live concert contest to be crowned the winner by a panel of music industry professionals.The grand prize winner will be featured in a headlining concert in the Live at The Z Music Series and receive a recording package in The Z’s recording studio.
Creative Teams, Community Performances
Artists of all kinds can take the stage at Proteus 2023 in the Creative Teams contest. Teams work together to create a brand new piece of film, music or theatrical art based on a prompt in The Z’s version of a “48-hour Play Festival”, and will perform their new creation on the mainstage at The Z. In the past, teams from local community theaters, bands, and other arts groups have taken part. There’s still time to form a team and create new art!
The 2023 Proteus Festival runs weekends from September 28-October 7, 2022 at the Zeiders American Dream Theater. An all-access pass to all events within the festival is available for $100, and all events are ticketed separately. The Block Party is a free, open event for all to join.
For tickets and information, visit thez.org/proteusfestival or call The Z Box Office Tu-F, 12-6pm at 757-499-0317.