Where do we find the plays we produce?
Sometimes its simple: plays like Conor McPherson’s Seafarer (coming in November) are major London/Broadway hits — critically-acclaimed, prize-winning scripts that are reported on by the national media.
Sometimes we get an inside tip: we got an early draft of Carter W. Lewis’ Evie’s Waltz because we’ve worked with the playwright — a Columbus native — on other productions.
Sometimes it comes from prospecting. Our staff and play reading groups consider well over a hundred scripts a year hoping to discover little gems like Almost, Maine.
And some plays are suggested by people like you. CATCO fans travel and often see plays in other cities, which they then recommend to us. Jonathan Putnam and I then try to track down the script (which can be a convoluted process). Last season’s Blackbird was suggested by someone who saw it in New York (eventually, it was recommended by a half dozen people).
Anna Paniccia & Jonathan Putnam in CATCO's "Blackbird"
If you’ve seen any plays that you’ve really liked let me know. Just post the title on the blog, or e-mail me at gnelson@catco.org. Or, best yet, mail me the program. Maybe you’ll be responsible for one of the big hits of the season!
Geoffrey Nelson, Artistic Director
