Museum of Dysfunction V: A Showcase of Shorts

Olivia Flores Alvarez June 14, 2012 4:00AM

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“This might be the last year for Museum of Dysfunction,” Jennifer Decker, managing artistic director of Mildred’s Umbrella Company, tells us somberly. “It’s a lot of work, and we’re just about to start the season. Plus, there are lots of other companies that are doing this sort of shows now.” She pauses, before adding, “But then again, I say that every year.” We certainly hope Decker and company continue the showcase, which has consistently been one of the best presentations of experimental, offbeat and edgy short plays in town over the last few years. This year’s Museum of Dysfunction V: A Showcase of Shorts should be no different.

The company received more than 200 submissions from around the world for MDV. There was no set theme or subject matter; playwrights could tackle anything they wanted. “We usually say the plays should deal with family relationships or something like that, but this year we didn’t. Then again, I think every play deals with family relationships somehow, so we still got lots of plays that deal with family,” says Decker. A panel of judges read through them. It was a blind process, with no one knowing who the playwrights were. Some of those chosen were monologues as short as a minute long; others were short one-acts with a full cast. Spread out over two weekends, Museum of Dysfunction V has two programs (you have to attend both weekends in order to see all of the plays). 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Through August 18. Studio 101 at Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street.
Aug. 9-11, 8 p.m.; Aug. 16-18, 8 p.m., 2012

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Olivia Flores Alvarez

Contact: Olivia Flores Alvarez

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