Verdin to compete for script honors

Franklin’s Ed “Tiger” Verdin will have his first literary work “Undying Love” competing in the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival competition.
The show premiered at the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts in October 2014.
“Undying Love” is a dramatic play about a young couple whose lives become intertwined with the attacks on America on September 11, 2001. The two person cast, Alexandra and Ethan, anticipate a romantic evening together to celebrate their tenth anniversary. Ethan preempts the night’s festivities with a surprise to his wife’s office, located on the 85th floor of Tower 2 of the World Trade Center. Alexandria and Ethan travel on an extraordinarily emotional journey as their peaceful and playful world collides with the violence of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Headquartered in New York City, Samuel French, Inc. is the largest publisher of theatrical literary works in the world. Having a vision of dramatic literature for the theatrical community and the champion of emerging playwrights Samuel French, Inc. founded the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival, which is currently celebrating its 40th Anniversary.
The Samuel French OOB Fest serves as a doorway to future success for playwrights with newly written theatrical literary pieces. The competition phase runs from February through the end of May and all works are judged during that time by a panel of judges made up of professional playwrights, literary agents and Artistic Directors from major theatrical productions from Broadway, West End and Regional Theatre professionals.
At the end of the initial judging the plays are narrowed to the “Final 30” in which each playwright will then be required to produce and showcase their plays in New York City at the weeklong festival beginning August 2015.
“Just being recognized by Samuel French is an honor in itself for me,” Verdin said. “No matter where this may or may not lead I will always be dedicated to the Arts and Arts Education in our community.”
Verdin is the Executive Director of Infinite Creations Entertainment which is currently planning its second Annual Arts Appreciation Festival. Recently, Infinite Creations received an invitation to Dallas, Texas to perform live on FaceTime Radio’s program entitled “The Poet’s Corner” and received an open invitation to return anytime.
Verdin is currently working on a production with the Techeland Arts Council “Last Bayou Passage” written by Sue Davis Stouff and Roger Emile Stouff. He is also at work on the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts’ upcoming production of “Raisin the Sun,” the Hanson Theatre Department’s Talent Extravaganza and planning a tour of Acadiana with “Undying Love.”
Verdin has other literary works such as a thriller entitled “Deception,” a drama entitled “Prodigal,” a comedy entitled “All Fed Up” and a musical entitled “Life in the Quarters.” He also has written monologues and poetry.
“I will be traveling to New York in a few weeks to take care of the legalese that comes with these venues but you will see me onstage back home before the ink is dry,” he said. “Support the Arts!”