The University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance will present the inaugural production of UT New Theatre.

The program showcases the works of third-year masters of fine arts playwriting candidates with three one-act plays. All three playwrights have received praise for their previous works, which were featured in various contests and festivals.

"The Chev" by Robert Sanchez follows a convenience store clerk and his interactions with the people around him as he realizes he can't take it anymore.

Erica Saleh's play, "Split," features the upset of one woman's reality when she realizes that her lover may not be who he says he is.

And "Why Koreans Don't Hug" by Soo-Jin Lee explores an immigrant family as it deals with a difficult issue brought up by their reverend's unexpected actions.

"We wanted to give our third-year graduate students the opportunity to showcase their work before they graduate this year," said Steven Dietz, the curator of UT New Theatre.

The plays were all written some time within the last year and will be performed for the first time at the UT Lab Theatre.

"New plays are sort of the lifeblood of the art form; they rejuvenate the theater," Dietz said. "You should come out if you want to be one of the first to ever see these plays."

Each play was rehearsed for the last five to six weeks, and the production is designed to focus around the actors and script.

"It won't be like going to see a production of 'The Lion King'," Dietz said.

Despite having had their plays performed before, the playwrights say they still feel the same excitement when seeing their play performed for the first time.

"Well, I think terror might be the better word," Saleh said. "The process is always different, and I never quite get used to it. But yeah, it's exciting and terrifying."

All shows will be held at the UT Lab Theatre on April 18-20 and 25-26 at 8 p.m., and April 27 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

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