Fire and Rain

New Play Project, the Provo-based “Pioneers in Values-Driven Theatre,” have opened their latest semi-annual theater festival, Fire and Rain. The festivities continue until Oct. 20.

According to the Project’s Web site, Fire and Rain is “more raw. Less sappy. Just as religious,” as their previous productions.

The plays featured in the Project’s religious plays programs aren’t strictly about Mormonism, but it is the predominant theme in submitted scripts. According to the Web site, “NPP feels it is very important there is a place for Mormon playwrights to write their own religious experiences using their own religious terminology.”

As of last year, the Project is no longer officially affiliated with BYU, but the featured plays are still written by BYU students and almuni. The productions are now based out of the Provo Theater Company.

The Project’s next production will be Games We Play, which performs in December. Most of their productions declare a central theme before scripts are written, and Games We Play will focus on “looking at the ins and outs of human relationships,” according to www.NewPlayProject.org. It’s too late to submit scripts for this particular production, but acting auditions will be held on Oct. 28 and 29.

Popular local playwright Mahonri Stewart, who co-wrote UVU’s recent production March of the Salt Soldiers with the theater department’s James Arrington, wrote Swallow the Sun, a biopic about the religious life of author C.S. Lewis. Swallow the Sun was performed this May.