Actors pursue new tradition

It's been a year since Durham-based New Traditions Theatre started its new tradition: encouraging black actors to work on plays that aren't necessarily by black playwrights nor even about the "black experience" per se.

Jackie Marriott and her fellow artists simply wanted to do good theater, interesting theater, without the impediments of other directors' notions about what the color of a character's skin should be.

The group meets regularly to sharpen acting skills and work on plays and scenes that interest members, Marriott says. They also welcome new actors and other artists of any ethnicity.

New Traditions' first season included a lively staged reading of Ibsen's "A Doll's House" and a full production of "The America Play," by experimental black playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (whose Pulitzer Prize-winner, "Topdog/Underdog," which incorporates elements from "The America Play," is now running at PlayMakers Rep). New Traditions also co-produced several playlets in Parks' "365 Plays/365 Days" project.

This year promises a similar mix: Alice Childress' "Wine in the Wilderness" at Durham's Common Ground Theatre March 20-29; a staged reading of "Native Son" in conjunction with the Richard Wright Centennial at UNC-Chapel Hill in April; Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona" in July; and "Art" near year's end. The company also seeks original play submissions.

New Traditions will present scenes from some of those and other plays in a "scene sampling" fundraiser Sunday at 5 p.m. at The MarVell Event Center, 119 W. Main St. in downtown Durham. Suggested donation is $15. For information, e-mail newtraditionstheatre@gmail.com or go to myspacecom/newtraditionstheatre.

On other stages

• You can get a taste of "Wine in the Wilderness" director John Rogers Harris' work -- and also the work of one of the nation's best playwrights -- if you're up for a road trip to Actor's Theatre of Charlotte. Harris, an assistant professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, directed the current production of August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean," the first play in the ambitious 10-play cycle that brings to life a century of African-American history. The play runs through March 1. Information: www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org or (704) 342-2251.

If you're not up for a road trip, you can take August Wilson's journey without leaving your recliner. Theatre Communications Group published a classy boxed set last fall, "The August Wilson Century Cycle," which includes new forewords by Broadway's "Gem" star Phylicia Rashad, Suzan-Lori Parks and others.

• Also in Durham this weekend, Theatre Or presents a staged reading of "Master of the House," by Israeli playwright Shmuel Hasfari, at Duke University's Reynolds Theater. The award-winning play, which has been running for years in Israel, is part of a community celebration of Israel's 60th birthday. Shows are at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10-$16 and are available at tickets.duke.edu or 684-4444.
• Because of an actor's illness, Free Association Theatre Ensemble's "ClosetLand" will not open tonight, director Julya M. Mirro said Wednesday. The troupe plans to open Saturday. Tickets for canceled shows will be honored or refunds provided. Information: www.fate4.us.