Award-Winning Dramatist and Scholar Brings a High-Stakes Psychological Thriller to The Wild Project this May

---

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 a 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 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. The play masterfully transitions from a romantic spark into a sinister exploration of authority, heritage, and the masks we wear.

“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.”

---

BEYOND THE SCRIPT: A CONVERSATION WITH DR. KATHLEEN POTTS

The Anatomy of a Transition

When asked about the “technical” shift from seduction to survival, Dr. Potts emphasizes the importance of structural pacing. “In my playwriting classes, we focus on pacing—if it’s too fast, there’s no development; if it’s too slow, it’s boring,” she explains. “In Igniting the Spark, I push the plot forward so the action evolves, but I let the characters slow down and go deep. That is the key to keeping it interesting.”

Professional Roles and Power Struggles

The drama centers on characters defined by their professions: a police officer and a doctor. Potts intentionally subverts these clichés. “Unlike many police officers, Caliay Alatriste appears unable to assert her legal authority. Conversely, Dr. Giancarlo’s focus on care transcends the Hippocratic Oath. I strive to have characters defy expectations.”

Bringing these roles to life is a powerhouse team including director Nicolas Minas and actors Elena Estér (Crystal Star Dancer), Melody Ladd (Dr. Marissa Giancarlo), and Sophie Zmorrod (Caliay Alatriste).

A Period Piece for Modern Reflection

Set in the 1990s, the play acts as a “period piece” that allows for a nuanced look at identity. “We did not have the same vocabulary to discuss complicated issues of identity then,” Potts notes. This lack of modern language creates a sense of ‘othering’ and tension, but also moments of profound revelation.

The play serves as a tribute to the legacy of Lorraine Hansberry, whose award Potts received from the Kennedy Center. “Hansberry lived as a closeted lesbian for years while fighting oppression. That ‘raw truth’—Who am I? Who am I attracted to?—is exactly what my characters are exploring.”

---

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE & TICKETS

Strictly Limited Run – Only Two Performances!

• Friday, May 1 @ 6:00 PM
• Saturday, May 2 @ 6:00 PM

Venue: The Wild Project | 195 E 3rd St, New York, NY Tickets: Available now through the Fresh Fruit Festival Portal. Early booking is strongly recommended for this 89-seat intimate venue.

---

About Dr. Kathleen Potts

Dr. Kathleen Potts brings an elite level of industry 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.

She is a Eugene O’Neill Center Playwriting Fellow and recipient of the Lorraine Hansberry Award. Beyond her writing, she is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Akadēmeia Theatre Company and co-founder of the multicultural Crossways Theatre.

About The Fresh Fruit Festival

Now in its 24th year, the Fresh Fruit Festival is New York’s premiere celebration of LGBTQ+ arts and culture. As Edge Media notes, it remains “the most inclusive expression of LGBT arts ever held in the City of New York.”