The 23rd annual William Inge Theatre Festival honored playwright Arthur Laurents (1917-2011).

Description of Events

Tour of Inge’s Independence - Guided tour leaves from the front of the William Inge Theatre and includes the family home of William Inge. Daily. See schedule for various times. Director’s Package and Daytime Passes include (I) one tour. Registration required. Limited tickets available at $3 each.

Scenes A and B at Inge House - Variety of theatrical scenes, including the winning Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Inge Scholarship scene, performed at the Inge House. 514 N. 4th Street in Independence. Coordinated by Lisa Mitchell. Director’s Package and Daytime Passes include (A and B) two distinct performances. Registration required. Limited tickets available at $5 each. Daily. See schedule for various times.

"Arthur’s Turn" - A musical performance tribute centered around Arthur Laurents and his work, with music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, Cy Coleman. Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Jerry Herman, Richard Maltby, Richard Rodgers. Harold Rome, Stephen Sondheim, Jule Styne, and others. Director’s Package includes (I) one ticket to the performance. Individual tickets $12. Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. The William Inge Theatre, ICC Campus.

Inge Collection - A collection of Inge memorabilia, including his personal library, artifacts from his life, furniture, papers, and original manuscripts. Periodic presentations by Inge's biographer, Ralph Voss. See daily schedules. ICC Library. Free admission.

Professional Theatre Workshops and Panels - Workshops conducted by leading theatre professionals on playwriting, acting, directing. play development and more. Check our website at www.ingefestival.org for specific workshop descriptions as they become available. Daily schedule also available at registration tables. Director’s Package or Daytime Pass required for admission. (Individual tickets not available.) Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Various locations on the rec campus.

Lunch in Inge’s Independence - Time to "break away" and spend some time dining and shopping in downtown Independence at various "Main Street Independence" merchant locations. List of featured restaurants and retail establishments available at registration. Free shuttle bus also available from the Inge Theatre on the ICC campus to downtown Independence. Reservation required for bus. Thursday, April 22 from 12: r 5 - 2 p.m. "Attacks on the Heart" Performance - A reading of Arthur Laurents' new play starring Cigdem Onat and Christopher Curry. Directed by David Saint. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. William Inge Theatre, ICC.

Moonglow - An after-show party featuring live music, hors d'oeuvres, desserts and open bar. Included in Director’s Package. Limited tickets available at $18 each. Thursday, April 22 at 9:30 p.m. Independence Historical Museum.

A Conversation with Arthur Laurents - Intimate discussion concerning the playwright's life and work in the theatre. Hosted by David Saint. Time for questions from the audience. Director’s Package or Daytime Pass required for admission. (Individual tickets not available.) Friday, April 23 at 10: 15 a.m. William lnge Theatre, ICC.

Moveable Feast - Enjoy a tasty alfresco lunch and a tree planting ceremony celebrating our late honoree Jerome Lawrence on the scenic ICC campus to the accompaniment of live jazz. Included in Director’s Package. Individual tickets available at $8 each. Lunch pick-up at the Margaret Goheen Foyer in The William Inge Theatre, ICC. Friday, April 23 at 12: I 5. Scholar’s Conference - Presentation of selected scholarly papers on William Inge and Arthur Laurents. Conference Director: Dr. Jackson Bryer, The University of Maryland. Director’s Package or Daytime Pass required for admission. (Individual tickets not available.) Friday. April 23 from I :45 - 5 p.m. ICC Campus.

Night at the Movies - Screening of William Inge's Academy Award winning classic film. "Splendor in the Grass" starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty and featuring William Inge. Friday, April 23 at 7 p.m. Independence Cinemas.

Gala Dinner Fundraiser and Silent Auction with Special Awards Presentation and Memorial Tribute – Silent auction of unique theatre memorabilia. All proceeds from the silent auction benefit the maintenance and restoration of the family home of William Inge. Event will feature presentation of the Otis Guernsey New Voices Playwriting Award and memorial tribute to Ann Kirchmaier, gourmet dinner, and live performances. Included in Director's and Night Owl Packages. All other tickets $60 each. Limited seating available. Friday. April 23 with silent auction and cocktails beginning at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m. Independence Country Club.

Otis Guernsey New Voices Award Play Reading – Play reading of GRAINNE by Otis Guernsey New Voices Playwriting Award winner, Mary Portser. Directed by Casey Childs. Director’s Package or Daytime Pass required for admission. No individual tickets available. Saturday, April 24, at 10: 15 a.m. with discussion after lunch. William Inge Theatre.

Picnic at Riverside Park - An afternoon event inspired by William Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, PICNIC complete with live entertainment. Included in Director’s Package. Individual tickets available at $12 Adults. $7 ages 3-11. Under 3 years free. Saturday. April 24 at 12:30 p.m. Riverside Park, inside the 4-H building.

"Curtain Up!" A Tribute to Arthur Laurents - Multi-media presentation featuring live performances, video, slides and special guest stars from stage and film, honoring 2004 Distinguished Achievement in American Theatre award-winning playwright, Arthur Laurents. Directed and produced by Mike Wood. Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. Independence Memorial Hall.