Now in its inaugural season at the Center, New Works: An Arts Commission Project is designed to promote and sustain the area’s working artists and artistic communities in an inclusive way by supporting the creation of new works across all performing arts disciplines. The three winning proposals selected by the judging panel will be presented on stage at the Tarkington, with a talkback discussion following the performances. The themes of the proposed works reflect the Center’s organizational core values of integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration and inclusion.

Women’s Work – Callie Burk-Hartz and Alicia LaMagdeleine with Betty Rage Productions

This short play will explore the complexities women face as they navigate external and internal challenges in the workplace. Six actresses – three younger and three older – will represent three characters at the beginning and end of their careers in medicine, education and business, showing how their stories evolved over a 50-year span. Burk-Hartz and LaMagdeleine, both professional educators, will write and direct the piece, which also will include musical accompaniment by guitarist Dave Pelsue.

Fly High – Monika Herzig Trio and Zackary Herzig

Award-winning jazz pianist-composer Monika Herzig and her son Zackary will create music and choreography inspired by the family’s journey through Zackary’s gender transition. Zackary, a recent graduate of the Circadium School of Contemporary Circus in Philadelphia, will design the costuming and perform to the live musical accompaniment on the Cyr wheel, a large metal hoop that the performer stands inside to roll, spin and perform acrobatic moves.

A Place in Time – Nicholas A. Owens and Lalah Ayan Hazelwood with Kenyettá Dance Company

Under artistic directors Owens and Hazelwood, Kenyettá Dance Company presents work that sparks conversation around social, political and spiritual topics. This four-part piece will incorporate contemporary, modern, ballet and African dance, along with creative costuming, video projections and live and recorded music, to address systemic oppression with a message of hope and promise that empowers audiences.