SATE presents the Seventh Annual Aphra Behn Festival

The theme for the 2023 Festival is “Re-Told” and utilizes plays from Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre’s Expand the Canon list of classical plays by women & underrepresented genders.

Established in 2017, the Aphra Behn Festival’s goal is to give women interested in directing and writing for theatre an opportunity to get more experience, experiment, and hone their craft. The Festival is named for the fascinating poet, translator, and spy, Aphra Behn, who is widely considered to be the first English woman to make her living as a playwright. SATE now looks to make the Festival a more inclusive space for transgender and non-binary artists, as well.

The 2023 Aphra Behn Festival plays and artists are:

Bold Stroke for a Villain by Summer Baer, directed by Emma Glose
Based on Bold Stroke for a Husband by Hannah Cowley
Featuring: Jaelyn Hawkins, Greta Johnson, Gabrielle Lynn
Welcome to purgatory! Victoria, condemned to an eternity of reflection, attempts to call into the void to someone she wronged but gets Elle Woulds instead.

Lieblingstante by Aurora Behlke, directed by Kayla Ailee Bush
Based on The Uncle by Princess Amalie of Saxony
Featuring: Maida Dippel, Michael Pierce, Leslie Wobbe
Julius introduces his girlfriend to his aunt Claudia. Who knows where the conversation may go after one or two (or four) glasses of wine.

reANIMA by Aly Kantor, directed by Britney N. Daniels
Based on Anima (Her Soul) by Amelia P. Rosselli
Featuring: Keating, Taylor Kelly
Cricket totaled her meat vessel at a party—but not to worry! Her best friend has an industry hookup and made her a brand new one with all the bells and whistles she could ever want (and a few she’s slightly reluctant about). Now everything can get back to normal…right?

Stage Manager: Spencer Lawton
Costume Designer: Liz Henning
Lighting Designer: Michael Sullivan
Graphic Design by Dottie Quick
Photography by Joey Rumpell

SATE’s 2023 Aphra Behn Festival is made possible by funding from the Missouri Arts Council, the Regional Arts Commission, and the Steve Nelson Memorial Playwright’s Fund.