In three days of extraordinary performances that will entertain, amuse, enlighten and move, eight short original works for the theatre — comedy, drama, mystery and fantasy — will debut in the Theatre Artists Workshop’s 2017 Spring Playwrights Festival on the weekend of May 19 to 21.

The event takes place Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20 starting at 8 p.m. each night, and Sunday, May 21 at 3 p.m. in TAW’s beautiful black box theatre at 5 Gregory Blvd, Norwalk.

From the underworld to the apocalypse, a bedroom to an airplane, these original one-act plays and monologues represent the diverse sensibilities and some of the current efforts of the Workshop’s talented playwrights. They will be performed by TAW’s gifted company of professional actors.

Tickets for the benefit are $25.Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made at the box office at 203-854-6830 or online.

Produced by actor/writer/directors Granville Burgess of Greenwich, and Carole Schweid of Westport, who also produces the popular lunchtime series, “Play With Your Food,” the Playwrights Festival is part of the annual TAW fundraising campaign for the not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote theatrical excellence. 

In Fran Dorf’s claustrophobic dystopian drama “The Basement of Everything You Need,” a married couple find themselves in paradise with no way out.  Or maybe it’s actually hell on earth.  

“This piece is my way of reflecting the Zeitgeist of our times,” says novelist turned playwright/screenwriter Fran Dorf of Stamford.  The 12-minute play features veteran TAW actors Allan Zeller of Milford and Stephanie Hazard of New Canaan. Fran and Allan direct.

In “First Flight,” award-winning playwright Rosemary Foley of Fairfield gives us the poignant story of a businessman on an airplane who finds himself distracted by the peculiar young woman seated next to him.   Rosemary directs the drama, which features actors Don Warfield and Molly Garbe, both of Fairfield.

In “Cue Cards for Clueless Men,” also written and directed by Rosemary Foley, four people arrive at a concert hall to hear Bach, but two of them have come with a lot more than a love of music.  The comedy features actors Randall Krongard of Vista, New York, Samantha Pattinson of Westport, Nadine Willig of Stratford, and Allan Zeller. 

In “Spring Cleaning in Hell,” by Rowayton playwright and Shakespeare groupie Mary Jane Schaefer, a husband and wife are at odds.  He wants to snuggle, but she just wants to tidy up the house.  What’s a goddess to do?  The comedy, based on a Greek myth, is directed by Carole Schweid, and features Leigh Katz of Westport and Sean Hannon of Weston.

In his first production on the stage, Westport ad man turned playwright, Frank Izzo, gives us, “Failure to Extract,” in which a newly discovered letter sends a man graveside in search of forgiveness 50 years after his kid brother was killed in Vietnam.   Directed by Westport’s Martin West, the dramatic monologue is performed by veteran TAW actor, Frank Piazza of Bridgeport.

In “Stacy & Doug” by award-winning playwright Jim Gordon, Doug arrives at girlfriend Karen’s apartment and is unexpectedly greeted by Stacy. Who is Stacy, and what’s she doing there?  And if Karen has only left on an errand why did she leave her cell phone?  Directed by Marty West, the mystery features actress/dancer Susan Jacobson of Westport and actor Randall Krongard.

In “Friend from the City” by masterful playwright/screenwriter Fred Stroppel of Glen Cove, New York, an old friend shows up and turns a couple’s idyllic life into a startling adventure.  Another directorial effort by Marty West, the play features actors Frank Piazza, Emilie Roberts of Weston, and Sachi Parker of New York City.

“Playdate,” written and directed by Wilton playwright/filmmaker, Megan Smith-Harris, explores what happens to a young mom when a simple playdate turns into a “loaded” situation.  The dramatic monologue features actress Joanna Keylock.   

The Theatre Artist’s Workshop, founded over 30 years ago by stage and screen star, Keir Dullea, is the only professional theatre of its kind in Connecticut.

Each Monday night, actors, writers, and directors put up scenes, audition pieces, and new written scripts and receive the support and critique of other members, develop work, and hone the craft, and then several times a year share their talents in public performances such as the Playwrights Festival and Classic Readings.

For more information or to reserve your seat for any TAW event, call the box office at 203-854-6830, or go to www.taworkshop.org. (TAW is also on Facebook and Twitter.)