To kick off the Season of Party, SATE presents its sixth annual Aphra Behn Festival April 29-May 1, 2022 at 8:00 PM (CST) at Centene Center for the Arts, 3547 Olive Street, in midtown St. Louis. Established in 2017, the Aphra Behn Festival’s goal is to give women interested in directing and writing for theatre an opportunity to get more experience, experiment, and hone their craft. The Festival is named for the fascinating poet, translator, and spy, Aphra Behn, who is widely considered to be the first English woman to make her living as a playwright.

In 2022, SATE will produce three original plays written and directed by women artists.

Go Before I Do by Hazel McIntire, directed by LaWanda Jackson, featuring Eric Satterfield, Greta Johnson, Jess McCawley.

A bar in the nightlife district becomes a portal into others life as drinks are poured and memories made. A daughter lives through the loss of both of her parents in the span of a few short years, which is viewed by her faithful bartender. A view of the world seen by the often unseen, Go Before I Do is a story of growth, exploration, and understanding.

Repurposed by Michelle Zielinski, directed by Elizabeth Van Pelt, featuring Ciera Thomas, Nicki Huber, Taylor Kelly.

Will a downcast visitor on a dreary day find meaning in strange modern art? And which is stranger, the art or the other people? Reply Hazy, Try Again...

The Super Fun Time Party Palace by Lize Lewy, directed by Rae Davis, featuring Ashley Bauman, Jack Elias, Julie Birnstein.

The Super Fun Time Party Palace is a look into the banality of parenthood. Frankie and Jessie are first time parents who will try anything to make their 6 year old son’s birthday a success, and in doing so, chaos ensues.

Festival Stage Manager: Emma Glose

Festival Designers: Bess Moynihan, Liz Henning, Grace Sellers, and students from East Central College, Allie Medows, Emma Adams, Sara Schaible, Sarah O'Bannon, Ashley Henke, Adrian Smith, Grace Allgaier

Festival Graphic Design by Dottie Quick

Masks and proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours are required.

SATE’s 2022 Aphra Behn Festival is made possible by funding from the Missouri Arts Council and The Steven Nelson Memorial Playwright’s Fund.