Verdin making waves in many US theater circles

Local resident Ed “Tiger” Verdin currently has two plays competing in the Samuel French “Off Off Broadway Festival” in New York City.
One is “Functional Dysfunction,” the story of a single father coming home after years of deployment at war to again become the father of a now-teenage daughter. Fireworks ensue when Joseph, the father, becomes concerned of his daughters choice of clothing prior to an outing for the weekend. We find out she blames him for everything she has dealt with, bullying, for not having that mother figure around as her mother is killed in action as she was deployed as well.
The second, “Undying Love,” is the historical fiction of a husband and wife working in the World Trade Center Tower 2 on Sept. 11, 2001. In an early morning affirmation of their love, Ethan arrives at his wife’s office to re-propose his love on their 10-year anniversary. They become witness to the first attacks on Tower 1 and later in the show become part of the attacks of Tower 2. This show focuses on the families affected in the attacks as opposed to the attacks themselves.
“I premiered both of these works at the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts right here in Franklin,” Verdin said. “When a venue has a reputation of displaying amazing talent it makes it easy to get recognition for the work in focusing and developing the Arts in St. Mary Parish.”
Velocity Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans has named Verdin as its Artistic Director for an upcoming un-named project soon to be filmed in the New Orleans area. Verdin is under a nondisclosure agreement so he could not expound on the project but did say, “Of course any way that I can work Franklin and St. Mary Parish into this equation I will make it happen. Soon I will be giving them a tour of our area to show the beauty and diversity that could be showcased.”
Verdin is currently in discussions with the United States Army-Redstone out of Huntsville, Alabama. He was contacted to discuss the possibility of traveling his works with the military to bases located within and outside the United States.
“Deception” deals with a serial killer stalking unsuspected victims in New Orleans was submitted into the Dennis & Victoria Ross Foundation of New York for emerging playwrights. The Dennis & Victoria Ross Foundation was founded in an effort to help emerging playwrights to continue to develop their works and bring to public attention new and promising dramatic work from playwrights who have not yet achieved commercial success.
“Gracious and thankful,” Verdin said. “I wouldn’t be getting this recognition if it weren’t for my best friend, Tyra Yarber, who started me on my theater journey 20 plus years ago. And, of course my mentor Mrs. Diane Wiltz as an educator saw that spark in a shy kid that wanted to stay behind the scenes and continues to push and nurture my talents today. But through it all I remain committed in promoting and developing the arts in Franklin and St. Mary Parish.”
Verdin is owner of Infinite Creations Entertainment and marketing director at Teche Action Clinic in Franklin.