A writing residency that offers playwrights,
composers and directors the time, space and support to develop
new plays and musicals in a collaborative environment.
The
greatest competition theatre companies face today is not one another,
but rather the threat to live theatre from movies and television.
Many theatres have tried to address this by making their offerings
similarly "easy" - by asking patrons only to sit back
and passively enjoy the performance. Ultimately theatre cannot
be successful by competing with film and television on a passive
level - we must show audiences the sheer power that is unique
to this live art form. We hope to show the impact live performance
can make, and through the Summer Playwriting Intensive, encourage
audiences to participate in the event of live theatre - not simply
witnessing the final product but contributing to and participating
in the experience of its creation.
How does it work?
Essentially we take a playwright, director and
cast, or a creative ensemble of performers, and lock them in a
rehearsal room for two weeks.
We present the plays to audiences during the two-week period, at staged readings followed by symposiums
where audiences can offer their reactions and feedback to the
playwrights.
“A Creative Incubator…”
We
provide a protected environment, without the pressure of production,
and an ensemble of professional actors, directors and dramaturges
to help shape work. The process is tailored to the project's individual
needs and stage of development, including readings, text analysis,
blocking rehearsals, music rehearsals, meetings with artistic
staff, and private presentations to the assembled artistic community.
The benefit to playwrights is obvious. Playwrights
hear their words performed by actors and find out how audiences
react to, and connect with, their play. Taking the jump from page
to stage without the pressures of full production gives writers
the chance to evaluate their work in collaboration with their
peers.
Audiences benefit from a close-up perspective
on the development of a new work. By attending readings and symposiums,
audiences see the work come to life before their eyes, and how
their own reactions or comments effect changes in the play.
Village Theatre Project provides:
•
Artistic guidance and collaboration in the form of a Director
and Dramaturge.
• A cast of paid, professional performers and a professional
stage manager, for sixty hours of rehearsal over the two-week
period.
• Physical space for rehearsals, and rehearsal furniture
and props as required.
• Lunches or dinners during the entire period, so that
a collaborative, “team” environment can continue
outside rehearsal hours.
• Public staged readings,
each followed by a Symposium geared toward providing valuable
audience feedback.
