ENMU Presents New Mexico New Play Festival with Five Short Plays

Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) is set to host the New Mexico New Play Festival this November, showcasing five new short plays written by regional playwrights. According to a report from enmu.edu, the event will feature a mix of ENMU students, alumni, and professional writers from across the state, focusing this year on reimagining New Mexican myths and folklore for younger audiences.

The festival, organized by the ENMU Department of Theatre and Digital Filmmaking, serves as a practical training ground for students. By producing these unproduced works, students take on the essential roles of director, designer, and stage manager. This hands‑on approach aligns with the department’s broader mission: ensuring graduates possess the technical and creative skills necessary to self‑produce within the modern entertainment industry.

Regional stories take center stage at the University Theatre Center

The upcoming lineup moves beyond the traditional ten‑minute short play format usually seen at the festival. This year’s program includes a specific one‑act play titled La Llorona; A Mother’s Sin, written by ENMU alumna Micaela Vigil. Other featured works include:

Bonney the Kid by ENMU student Katelynn Hatch
Return to Enchantment by ENMU alumnus Israel Stacy
Mal Ojo by alumnus Santiago Chacón
Removing the Veil by Santa Fe playwright Susan Herring

Leonard Madrid, a member of the ENMU faculty and the festival coordinator, noted that the stories being presented reflect the diversity of the New Mexico population. The initiative builds on the foundation of the New Mexico New Works Festival, which the department launched in 2023 to provide a platform for regional writers whose work has yet to reach a stage.

Tickets cost $7 to $10 for the festival

The festival will take place at the University Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre. Performances are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, November 19–21, at 7 p.m., with a final Sunday performance on November 22 at 2 p.m.

Admission costs are structured to accommodate various community members:

Ticket Type	Price
General Admission	$10
Senior Citizens	$7
Active‑Duty Military	$7

Tickets can be purchased in advance through the university’s official site at enmu.edu/theatrelive. For those seeking further details regarding the production or the festival’s coordination, Leonard Madrid can be reached at 575.562.2092.