The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
• Submit your photography: The New Hampshire Art Association is accepting online submissions for its 41st annual Parfitt Juried Photography Exhibition now through June 22, by 5 p.m. Both NHAA members and non-member area artists are invited to submit one to two pieces for the exhibition, which will be on display at the NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth) from Aug. 5 through Aug. 29. This year’s juror is Don Toothaker, photographer, photography instructor and director of Photographer Adventures at Hunt’s Photo and Video in Manchester. The exhibition honors photographer Jack Parfitt, now deceased, who was a board member of the NHAA. Parfitt spent his last 12 years travelling abroad, taking photographs in Russia, China, Afghanistan, Morocco, Iceland and Africa, and was given rare permission to photograph the Great Wall of China. An opening and award ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., where first-, second- and third-place winners and honorable mentions will be announced. If NHAA is unable to hold the ceremony due to Covid-19 concerns, the ceremony will be held online. Visit nhartassociation.org.
• Seeking inexperienced or aspiring directors: Manchester-based theater company Cue Zero Theatre Co. announced in a press release that it is looking for an early-career director to work on a production for the 2021 season. The chosen director will work with company staff, fundraise and promote and produce the show, and will have full access to all of the company’s resources for the show, including sets, costumes, props, lighting and sound equipment, social media, artist database, base-funding and more. Rehearsals and performances will be held in the greater Manchester area. If interested, email your resume and a short letter of introduction that includes a statement about the piece you’d like to pitch to [email protected]. Video chat interviews will begin on June 15. Cue Zero Theatre Co. is focused on creating professional opportunities for playwrights, directors, designers and actors in the early stages of their careers. Preference will be given to directors with limited experience who are looking to jumpstart their career. Visit cztheatre.com.
• Fearless author wins more literary awards: New Hampshire Writers Project author Gledé Kabongo received multiple awards for her psychological thriller Winds of Fear, according to a press release from NHWP. Winds of Fear is the third book in Kabongo’s Fearless series. In the first book, Game of Fear, the series protagonist, Abbie, is a high school student with dreams of getting into the Ivy League, but she has a dirty secret. One day, Abbie receives a package containing photos that would reveal her secret, and the anonymous sender is willing to keep the evidence safe — for a price. The book was a No. 1 Amazon Bestseller. In its sequel, Autumn of Fear, Abbie is a college student studying to become a surgeon when she wakes up in a hospital after a violent attack with no recollection of what happened. Once again, Abbie must confront a series of secrets and lies to find her assailant and find out why he tried to kill her. The book won a National Indie Excellence Award. In Winds of Fear, Abbie is a grown adult with a family of her own, but when she meets her neighbors, who seem to have a fascination with her oldest son, she becomes suspicious. When her son turns up missing, Abbie must solve the mystery and uncover what secrets her neighbors are hiding to save her family before it’s too late. Winds of Fear was recently named an Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Finalist and category winner and an IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Award) Silver medalist. “I’m elated that Winds of Fear has struck a chord with readers and judges alike,” Kabongo said in the press release. “I wanted each story in the series to be told with gripping suspense and powerful emotional resonance. It’s humbling that the judges of multiple literary award programs have validated that desire.” Find the Fearless books on Amazon, and visit gledekabongo.com for more information about the author.
• Authors on Zoom: Gibson’s Bookstore, based in Concord, has two virtual author events coming up. On Wednesday, June 10, at 7 p.m., Concord Monitor alum Meg Heckman, in conversation with fellow Concord Monitor alum Pamela Walsh, will present her new book, Political Godmother: Nackey Scripps Loeb and the Newspaper that Shook the Republican Party. The book looks at the political life of the former Union Leader newspaper publisher against the backdrop of the right-wing media landscape of the late 20th century. On Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m., Juliet Grames, author of The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna, will be in conversation with Erika Swyler, author of Light from Other Stars and The Book of Speculation. The events are free and will be streamed live via the video conferencing platform Zoom. They will not be recorded. The links to access the virtual events are posted on their respective event pages on gibsonsbookstore.com.
• Musical from home: The Seacoast Repertory Theatre presents a livestream of The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps & Gowns on Saturday, June 6, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. The musical comedy is a sequel to the Off-Broadway hit The Marvelous Wonderettes. Set in 1958, the musical follows four high school girls — Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy — as they sing about their senior year, celebrate with their fellow classmates and teachers and prepare for their future. The second act takes place 10 years later, when the girls get together once again to celebrate Missy’s marriage. Songs include “Rock Around the Clock,” “At the Hop,” “Dancing in the Street,” “River Deep, Mountain High” and 25 more hits. Livestream performances are performed live and not recorded. Tickets cost $20 per person. Visit seacoastrep.org.