Award-Winning Dramatist and Scholar Brings a High-Stakes Psychological Thriller to The Wild Project this May
A FEATURED EVENT of The Fresh Fruit Festival MAINSTAGE
Dr. Kathleen Potts, a nationally recognized powerhouse in playwriting and theatre scholarship, is set to electrify the 2026 Fresh Fruit Festival Mainstage with her latest provocative work, Igniting the Spark. This gripping three-person drama will hold its strictly limited run on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 at The Wild Project (195 E 3rd St).
The Play: A Sexy Encounter with a Sinister Edge
Igniting the Spark begins in the familiar territory of a late-night rendezvous between a young police officer and a and an Italian-American doctor, introduced to one another by a Native American artist. However, what starts as a charged, sexy encounter quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. As the night unfolds, the “raw truth” of their conflicting identities and the power dynamics of their professions collide, transitioning the play from a romantic spark into a sinister exploration of authority, heritage, and the masks we wear.
Performance Schedule:
- Friday, May 1 @ 6:00 PM
- Saturday, May 2 @ 6:00 PM
A Pedigree of Academic and Artistic Excellence
Dr. Kathleen Potts brings an elite level of “industry-savvy” expertise to the festival. An alumna of Columbia University’s School of the Arts (MFA) and The Graduate Center, CUNY (Ph.D.), she is a respected member of the Dramatists Guild whose work has been honored on the nation’s most prestigious stages.
Key Accolades & Roles:
- Eugene O’Neill Center: Recognized as a Playwriting Fellow.
- Kennedy Center Honors: Recipient of the “Lorraine Hansberry Award” for her celebrated play Miss Nowhere Diner.
- Academic Leader: A scholar whose work bridges the gap between theatrical theory and “fighting shape” performance.
- Producer: Co-founder and Managing Director of Akadēmeia Theatre Company, as well as a co-founder of the multicultural, community-based Crossways Theatre company.
Redefining the Queer Narrative
Igniting the Spark adds a vital layer to the Fresh Fruit Festival’s mission of “LGBTQ+ brilliance.” By centering the intersection of the intersection of identity and power, Potts ensures that the festival remains—as Edge Media notes—”the most inclusive expression of LGBT arts ever held in the City of New York.”
“Kathleen Potts writes with the precision of a scholar and the soul of a poet,” says Frank Calo, artistic director of the Fresh Fruit Festival. “This play doesn’t just entertain; it demands that you look closer at the sparks we ignite in our private lives and the fires they can start in our culture.”
Ticket Information
Tickets for the Fresh Fruit Festival Mainstage are available now. Due to the high demand, early booking is strongly recommended.
- Venue: The Wild Project | 195 E 3rd St, New York, NY
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