Festivals come and go, and with them so do the artists. But the Fire This Time Festival stands out from the crowd, as they continue collaborating with their artists after their initial season, creating a unique network which fosters new relationships and adds to their family of artists. Now in its fifth season, Fire This Time adds to the amazing evening of 10 minute plays and "Happy Hour Play Readings" with an open mic hosted by Dominique Morisseau, plus a full-length production by Season 2 playwright Camille Darby's "Lords Resistance".  (Check out our review with Darby and director Christopher Burris here.)

StageBuddy's Glenn Quentin chats with Producing Artistic Director Kevin R. Free who, even with the many hats he wears, finds the time to direct the first Happy Hour Play Reading of a brand-new work, "The First Time" by Tracey Conyer Lee.  Check out the interview below and be sure to check out Fire This Time, a festival that showcases the diversity of contemporary black theater.