Part of the play writing process is hearing the words you’ve written read aloud, preferably by an actor, and figuring out what works and what doesn’t. CATCO loves to get people involved and would love to give the playwright the benefit of hearing the feedback from a real live audience as she is shaping the script.
So we have created the “Plays in Process” series, and are about to hold 3 FREE public workshops to help us develop the script for Pierce to the Soul, all generously supported by a grant from the Ohio Humanities Council.
Did I mention that the workshops are FREE to the public?
What happens at a Pierce workshop?
Each begins with an introduction by dramaturge (read “scholar”) Bill Childs, followed by a reading of an excerpt of the play, performed by actor Alan Bomar Jones. After the performance playwright Chiquita Mullins Lee will talk about the research and playwriting process, and then open the floor for questions, comments and suggestions. The workshops are great way to learn more about legendary Columbus folk artist Elijah Pierce, and to join in a public discussion with the playwright and creative team that will help shape the evolution of this work-in-progress.
Yes, the audience for the workshop helps shape the script! This isn’t passive listening or theoretical noodling (which is fun in its own way…). This is a chance to hear how the play got started, hear a veteran actor reading the draft, and have an impact on how the play turns out.
We held three Pierce workshops this fall, thanks to support from GCAC and in concert with our colleagues at Transit Arts and Ohio Dominican University, and the response was great. We had people from all walks of life responding to the play, sharing personal experiences some had with Elijah Pierce when he was still alive, and we got some great insights to how the play spoke to real people. The discussions were lively and fascinating, and often bumped up against the time-limits of the workshops.
Actor Alan Bomar Jones at the Central Community House/Transit Arts Pierce Workshop
Come join us for this final round or workshops before we start official rehearsals!
This winter we are lucky enough to be working with the Columbus Museum of Art, the Columbus Historical Society, the King Arts Complex, and the Ohio Humanities Council to present the workshops.
When and where are they?
Tuesday February 16, 2010 at the King Arts Complex at 867 Mt. Vernon
Avenue. The workshop begins at 7 pm.
Sunday February 21, 2010 at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 East Broad
Street. The workshop begins at 2 pm
Wednesday March 3, 2010 at the Riffe Center Studio Two Theatre, 77 S. High Street,
hosted by the Columbus Historical Society. The workshop begins at 7:00 pm
How much is admission?
FREE!
Come hear the work in progress, join in the discussion, then experience the finished play as CATCO produces its world Premiere in April!
[...] 2006, we began the process of holding public play development workshops (described in another blog ). With the addition of Bill Childs as dramaturge and (in 2008) Alan Bomar Jones as actor, the [...]