Last week, it was announced that Second Thought Theatre has a new co-artistic director to run the company alongside Steven Walters. Kelsey Head replaces Walter's previous partner, Chris LaBove.

Now, the group has announced its 2013 season, which includes four plays, one of them a pick-up from the 2012 Festival of Independent Theatre's, with Rite of Passage Theatre Company's production of My Name is Rachel Corrie. Barrett Nash, who starred in that production, won an acting award from the DFW Theater Critics Forum last year.

The season kicks off with the area premiere of Martin McDonagh's A Behanding in Spokane, and closes with another local premiere by Neil LaBute, In a Forest, Dark and Deep. Between that is a work by Rajiv Joseph, Gruesome Playground Injuries, which adds to the Joseph plays being done locally in 2013: Theatre Three's Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo and Dallas Theater Center's premiere of the musical Fly, which has a book by Joseph. Also, Denton's Sundown Collaborative Theatre has already announced Gruesome, which it will produce in February.

Here's the release:

Second Thought Theatre Co-Artistic Directors Kelsey Head and Steven Walters announced today the theatre's 2013 season, which will take place at Bryant Hall on the Kalita Humphreys Campus. STT's ninth season will include a Texas premiere, two dark comedies and a one-woman show.

"Uniquely dark comedies and great plays with keen storytelling make the 2013 season truly exciting," says Head. "From a brand new work by American playwright Neil LaBute to a one-woman play about conflict in the Middle East, this season offers North Texas audiences four plays that will make them laugh, encourage conversation and provide unique perspectives." 

"STT is committed to creating memorable experiences for theater-goers while providing a nurturing environment for actors and artistic team members. Inviting several directors to make their STT debut and focusing on small cast shows ensures that the company presents plays that align with the mission of the theatre and continues to foster the visions of artistic contributors," says Head.

The 2013 season will begin with A Behanding in Spokane, the newest play by award-winning Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. Alex Organ will make his directorial debut with Behanding, McDonagh's first play set in the United States. Next up is My Name is Rachel Corrie, a play based on the diaries of American college student Rachel Corrie who was killed in 2003 while protesting in the conflict-ravaged Gaza Strip. This play, which audiences will remember a condensed version of from this year's Festival of Independent Theatres line-up, will be directed by Clay Wheeler. 

Joel Ferrell, Dallas Theater Center Associate Artistic Director, will direct Rajiv Joseph's Gruesome Playground Injuries. This two-person play about an accident-prone relationship marks Ferrell's first time working with STT. The final play of the 2013 season is Neil LaBute's In a Forest, Dark and Deep, directed by Regan Adair. This will be Adair's first time back at STT since directing Red Light Winter in 2011.  

Second Thought Theatre's 2013 season will be presented as follows: A Behanding in Spokane (Jan. 4 - 26); My Name is Rachel Corrie (March 16 - 30);Gruesome Playground Injuries (June 6 - 22); and In a Forest, Dark and Deep (Aug. 9 - 31). All performances will take place at Bryant Hall on the Kalita Humphreys Campus, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd.

Here's the break-down of the season: 

A Behanding in Spokane

By Martin McDonagh

Directed by Alex Organ

January 4 – 26, 2013

Carmichael needs a hand. Toby and Marilyn have one to sell and the young couple is just dysfunctional enough to make the deal. Add a curious and persistent hotel clerk to the mix and the whole thing is bound to go up in flames. In this edgy — and bloody-play — Academy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright Martin McDonagh offers an unexpectedly hilarious look at desperation, lies and enduring hope.

My Name is Rachel Corrie

Adapted by Alan Rickman and Katherine Viner

Directed by Clay Wheeler

March 16 – 30, 2013 

My Name is Rachel Corrie is the story of a young woman's experiences in the conflict-ravaged Gaza Strip. Her passion and enduring message of tolerance are a testament to the transformative power of activism. 

Gruesome Playground Injuries

By Rajiv Joseph

Directed by Joel Ferrell

June 6 – 22, 2013

 For Kayleen and Doug, whose propensity for injuries connect the two in an unexpected way, the bond of blood is forever. Gruesome Playground Injuries is a fresh, witty reflection of a 30 year friendship and the complicated truth of growing up.

In a Forest, Dark and Deep

By Neil LaBute

Directed by Regan Adair

August 9 – 31, 2013

Secrets and sibling rivalry aren't foreign to Bobby and Betty. On a dark night, deep in the forest, the two are forced to face the reality of the harsh truths they've hidden away. The newest offering from celebrated American playwright Neil LaBute, In a Forest, Dark and Deep is a psychological thriller bound to surprise and intrigue.