Friday, December 16, 2011

Frog’s Milk/Pump Works: An evening of …amphibians and septic tanks, stalled lives and jump starts…

Louisville) – The shadow of the frog that needs to be milked appeared in Nova Scotia and is about to appear at the Rudyard Kipling. A new theatre group, Frog Pump Productions, heads to the stage with an evening of amphibians and septic tanks, stalled lives and jump starts.

Performances of Rebecca Henderson and Heidi Saunders’ original contemporary play, FROG'S MILK/PUMP WORKS, are January 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on January 22, at The Rudyard Kipling Theater, 422 West Oak Street, Louisville 40203. Ticket prices are $15. Directed by Keith McGill, Frog’s Milk/Pump Works showcases actors Rebecca Henderson, Pattie Crawford, Jeremy Sapp, Tom Dunbar, and composer and keyboardist Frank Richmond. For tickets call 502-267-6915 or contact frogpumpproductions@gmail.com. To reserve dinner before the show, call The Rudyard Kipling at 502-636-1311.

You do not need to be a frog-loving plumber to enjoy the show. Through the use of comedy, the play explores timeless themes of loss, grief, and the poignancy of hope. Three people meet over a septic tank and wind up filling more than the hole in the ground. “We meet these people at the point where their lives are about to change forever,” says director Keith McGill.

Playwright Heidi Saunders' win 2010 Kentucky Theatre Association was recognized as one of Kentucky's best playwrights that year; she has had staged readings at the South-eastern Theatre Association's annual meeting and at Alice Lloyd College. Rebecca Henderson’s work has been workshopped at Natasha's Theatre in Lexington to great acclaim. Both playwrights are members of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop.

Frogs’ Milk/Pump Works by Rebecca Henderson and Heidi Saunders: January 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 7:30 PM, matinee January 22 at 2:30 PM. All performances will be presented at: The Rudyard Kipling Theatre, 422 West Oak St. Louisville, KY 40203

Admission $15

For tickets only contact frogpumpproductions@gmail.com or 502-267-6915

For dinner before the show and tickets call 502-636-1311

Thursday, December 8, 2011

KPW's on FACE BOOK and other announcements

We're on Face Book now. Just search for Kentucky Playwrights Workshop (KPW) and check us out!

Have news of interest to Kentucky playwrigts? Post it on our Face Book page.

The next meeting of KPW will be Sunday January 8th from 2-5 pm at Common Grounds in Lexington.

Want to join KPW? Send a check for $10 made out to KPW to PO Box 55222 Lexington, KY 40555

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

KPW New Play Contest Announced

The Kentucky Playwrights Workshop is holding a KPW New Play Contest. Deadline for submissions is midnight February 15, 2012. Up to seven new plays will be selected for a community reading in June of 2012 as a part of the Second Friday program at Berea Arts Council. In September 2012 a staged reading of the winning plays will be produced at Berea Arena Theater.

Any Kentucky Playwright Workshop(KPW) member is eligible to submit one ten-minute play. Any Kentucky resident or student attending a Kentucky college may become a member by including a $10 check, made out to KPW, with their submission.

According to contest coordinator, Trish Ayers, "One of the primary reasons for holding the contest is so that we can attract new members. Consequently, we are seeking outside judges and have arranged for public readings of the winning plays."


KPW New Play Contest Rules, 2012

1. Each member may submit one new ten-minute play with two to four characters which has not been published or fully staged. The entry should be emailed or postmarked by February 15, 2012. Each submission should include:
a. A cover page attached with a paper clip to the script which includes title of play, playwright name and contact information. Electronic submissions include this as a separate attachment.
b. One page with character descriptions
c. Maximum of ten pages of dialogue in standard play submission format (12 pt. Courier) the title of the play included on each page.
d. The title of the play included on each page of dialogue
e. Page numbers on each page of dialogue with the exception of the first page.
f. Only include name and contact information on cover page
2. Electronic or postal submissions will be accepted
a. Please submit electronic submissions in PDF or Microsoft Word to: ky.playwright@yahoo.com
b. Please submit postal submissions to: KPW, PO Box 5522, Lexington, KY 4055
3. Scripts will not be returned
4. Submissions that do not follow these rules will not be considered.
5. Decisions of the judges are final.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Louisville Review Seeks 10-Minute Plays

The Louisville Review, a literary magazine published by faculty of Spalding University, is currently accepting playwriting submissions for a special Kentucky Writers edition. Please send your ten-minute plays or short one-acts to Amy Attaway, guest editor, at amyattaway@gmail.com. You may also submit online at http://www2.spalding.edu/louisvillereview/submissions/.

Writers must currently reside in Kentucky, or be from Kentucky, but the plays needn’t be about Kentucky. Plays must be previously unpublished, but it’s fine if they have been produced.

The submission deadline is November 1. Payment is in copies of the publication. The Kentucky-only edition will be published in winter 2012.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Kentucky Theatre Association Semi-Finalists Announced

The Kentucky Theatre Association has announced the semi-finalists in its annual play contest:

And I Love You Richard by Osunnike Robin Scott
SUMBAHDEE by Donna Phillips
Taking Stock by Trish Ayers
View From the Pews by Clara Harris
The Mantau Maker by Elizabeth Orendorf
Feral Cats by Heidi Saunders
Crossing the Line by Toni Wiley
The Pictures by Gary Eldridge
Jonah the Reluctant Prophet by Richard Neumayer
Soldier's Christmas by Philip Paradis

Donna Phillips, Heidi Saunders and Trish Ayers are all members of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Agenda for Annual Meeting, September 11

As of now the AGENDA for Kentucky Playwrights Workshop annual meeting of members to be held on Sunday September 11th, from 2-5 pm at Common Grounds in Lexington, KY is as follows:

I. Call to Order

II. Reading of Minutes of the Prior Meeting

III Treasurer's Report

IV. Determination of eligibility to vote

V. Election of Board members
Nominees to serve on the Board for the coming year are:
Trish Ayers
James Brown
Bill McCann
Heidi Saunders

VI. Schedule of Meetings

VII. Meeting Dates

VIII. Dues for 2011-2012

IX Report of the President

X Other Business

XI Adjournment


Saturday, August 20, 2011

Crimes of the Heart to Open Georgetown Season

Beth Henley's CRIMES OF THE HEART, will open the 2011- 2012 season at Georgetown College Theatre. The play will run October 21-23, 27-29. Performances are at 8pm in the Ruth Pearce Wilson Lab Theatre on the campus of Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky. Tickets are $3 for Students $3 and $5 for Adults For more information call 502 863-8162.





Thursday, August 18, 2011

Berea Theatre to have World Premiere this Season

Berea College Theatre has announced its schedule for the 2011- 2012 season including the world premiere of a new play by Silas House:

Turandot, by Carlo Gozzi, October 28,29, November 2-5 2011

This is My Heart For You, by Silas House, February 22-16, 2012 (World Premiere production)

Cabaret, by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, April 13, 14, 18-21, 2012

All productions will be on the campus of Berea College, Berea, Kentucky.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Ten-Tucky Festival Opens August 17th

The Bards Town's Ten-Tucky Festival of Ten-Minute plays is a showcase and celebration of Kentucky artistry. The festival features eight (8) plays by eight (8) Kentucky playwrights. The plays feature Kentucky directors and actors...all in the only Kentucky theatre dedicated to the production of new work.

Festival show dates are August 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 and 27; all shows begin at 7:30 PM.

The Bards Town is loctated at 1801 Bardstown Road in the heart of Louisville, KY's Highlands neighborhood.

In Brian Walker's Neighborly Do's and Don'ts, a woman is more than a little upset about the constant disappearance of her Girl Scout Cookies.

In Nancy Gall-Clayton's Encounter at the Ink Spot, a guy walks into a bar. He's a writer. She's a bartender. Let the pursuit begin.

Over, by Alex Lee Morse, brings together two childhood friends who have completely lost touch.

Disappearances, or The Groom's Shoes, by Nadeem Zaman, finds a wedding party with no groom. Only his shoes remain. Is this cold feet, or something more?

In Patrick Wensink's The Internet President, two bitter rivals debate as they strive to be elected president of the Internet. The fate of the Internet hangs in the balance.

Tom Kerrigan's The Intruder sees a young husband out looking for a lost pet, his wife making it painfully clear that he will not return until the pet is found. This young husband, though, finds a way to remain comfortable in this search.

In Andrew Epstein's Wedding for Godot, Didi and Gogo have found themselves as invited guests to Godot's wedding...if he ever shows up.

And rounding out the festival is Doug Schutte's Love Religiously, where Adam and Eve seek marriage counseling, much to Adam's dismay.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Announcements!

Saw CIVILIAN last night at the University of Kentucky's Guignol Theatre. Final dress was awesome! If you care going to be in New York for the NYC Fringe Festival then you absolutely have to go see CIVILIAN, it will absolutely blow you away.

The next meeting of KPW will be this Sunday, August 14th at Common Grounds in Lexington. The meeting will be from 2-4. Afterwards we'll go get some dinner.

The Kentucky Theatre Association's play contest closes August 31, 2011. Don't let the deadline slip up on you, Submit today.

Monday, August 8, 2011

CAGE to be given staged reading in NYC

Brian Walker's full length play Cage (or the other side of tomorrow)
was selected for a staged reading as part of Truffle Theatre Company's
1st Annual Truffle Hunt August 30th-September 4th, 61 Local, 61 Bergen

CAGE is a full-length paly, set in a Midwest city which does things exactly like
every other city in the United States does in the future and is
controlled by an organization called the Continental Operative Warrant
who have been responsible for lobbying the government and changing the
laws and running the new farms. All cows and pigs and chickens have
become extinct and the human race has turned to cannibalism in order
to satiate their need for meat. Laws have been enacted and prisons
transformed into new farms and anyone who breaks the law becomes food.

Wlaker is a member of the Dramatist Guild and the Kentucky Playwright Workshop. He lives and works in Louisville, KY.


Thursday, August 4, 2011

Roots of the Bluegrass Contest opens August 7th

Kentucky Theatre Association opens its 3rd annual ROOTS OF THE BLUEGRASS playwright’s contest on August 7th. The contest is free to former and current Kentucky residents. All genres, including musicals (script and lyrics only), will be considered. Finalists will have their plays presented as staged readings during the KTA convention in November. The winner will receive a $250 prize. Last year’s winner was C.T. Hettinger of Louisville. Further information and guidelines can be found at our website: http://theatreky.org or by e-mail at: bill.forsyth@att.net .

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Congratulations to Shan Ayres

Shan Ayres, a founding member of KPW and its first Board Secretary, has been appointed Director of Theatre and Program Coordinator for the Berea College Theatre. So, in addition to teaching and designing he will also be Berea's production manager and department chair. Consequently, while Shan intends to remain a member of KPW he has said that he would not be able to serve another term as Secretary. Best wishes and Congratulations Shan!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Len Cuthbert to have plays published

Len Cuthbert, the Canadian playwright who wrote Enigmatic Lucidity that was staged in Midway, KY as part of KPW's Midway Festival of New Plays in 2009, was staged along with two other “Bob & Angelina” plays-- at the London Fringe Festival in June 2011. The collection of three ten-minute plays has since been accepted for publishing and marketing by Big Dog Publishing in Florida. ,

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Congratulations to Lawrence DuKore!

Lawrence DuKore's 20 minute one-act play, Stained Glass, ran in repertory at the off-Broadway Metropolitan Playhouse during June 2011. STAINED GLASS is the story of a disabled African American combat veteran and his lady friend, a white artist who works in stained glass. They live on the Lower East Side and have divergent attitudes about dealing with a destructive black teenager who continuously throws rocks at the artist’s stained glass windows. The problem solver turns out to be an unlikely third party with a practical, realistic solution to the problem: inclusion rather than exclusion.

Mr. DuKore's play The Day that Brando Died was produced by Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. as part of it's 2009 Midway Festival of New Plays.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

AUGUST Meeting of KPW; Civilian TIX on Sale

The August meeting of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. will be held Sunday August 14, 2011 at Common Grounds Coffee House, Lexington, from 2-5 pm. Anyone interested in the development of new work for the stage is invited to attend.


Tickets for CIVILIAN, which will be presented as part of the New York International Fringe Festival 2011-- at The Bleecker Theatre 45 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012-- went on sale July 22, 2011. Get your tickets today! Don't miss this opportunity to see University of Kentucky students perform OFF BROADWAY!

Performances are: SUN, August 14 @ 7:30p; WED, August 17 @ 5:15p; SAT, August 20 @ 2:00p; TUE, August 23 @ 9:00p; SUN, August 28 @ 4:00p

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Civilian to be in NY Fringe Festival

Civilian A compelling documentary drama, Civilian, based on the riveting oral history interviews of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will premiere at the 15th New York International Fringe Festival. The play, by the noted playwright Herman Daniel Farrell III, tells the story of the tough transition from soldier to civilian.Farrell, co-writer of the Peabody Award winning HBO Film "Boycott" that featured Jeffrey Wright as Martin Luther King Jr. returns to the Fringe for the third time with this docudrama. Farrell’s play about George W. Bush, "ROME," premiered at the 2004 FringeNYC and his play "Portrait of a President" concerning Bill Clinton’s legacy won an Excellence in Playwriting Award at the 2002 FringeNYC.

In January of 2010 at the University of Kentucky, Doug Boyd, director of the Nunn Center for Oral History, working with veteran and alumnus Tyler Gayheart and Tony Dotson, director of the Veterans Resource Center, launched the oral history project "From Combat to Kentucky" in order to chronicle the stories of student veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Subsequently, Farrell, an assistant professor of theatre at the University of Kentucky, and students in his "Staging History" Theatre Department course, devised a verbatim theatre piece drawn from the oral history transcripts. The play Bringing It Home: Voices of Student Veterans premiered in April 2010 in the Armory on the University of Kentucky campus and was subsequently produced in November 2010 at Eastern Kentucky University and again at the UK Armory as part of the Veterans Day commemorations.

The play Civilian, by Farrell, incorporates additional interviews by student veterans and dares to address a current brewing problem in America. "Recently, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates expressed his concern that there is a growing divide between those who have served in the armed forces and the civilian populace,” notes Farrell. “This play closely examines the current fraught relationship between civilians and veterans while also conveying the heart-wrenching stories of men and women who served in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, returned home and have struggled to make the transition back to civilian life.”

The cast, crew and writer/dramaturgs of Bringing it Home: Voices of Student Veterans included: Kendrel Dickerson, Joe Fields-Elswick, Michael Fischer, Tanner Gray, Callie Hanks, Andrew Hill, Kara Strait, Maggie Howell, Alex Koehl, Natalie Nicole, Max Baron Reid, Brian Sprague, Kevin Sullivan, Emmanuel Thurman and Lindsay Warnick. Fischer, one of the eight actors featured in the production, is not only a theatre major but is a veteran of the war in Iraq.

The veterans depicted in the production are UK students Ian Abney, Jonathan Herst, Stephanie Murphy, Andrew Napier and Nathan Noble.
The FringeNYC production of civilian is being produced by the UK Department of Theatre Chair, Nancy Jones, in association with the Veterans Resource Center Director, Anthony Dotson, the Nunn Center for Oral History Director, Doug Boyd, and the College of Fine Arts Dean, Michael Tick.

Tickets go on sale July 22, 2011:

New York International Fringe Festival 2011
The Bleecker Theatre
45 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012

At Lafayette Street. One block north of Houston Street and one block east of Broadway.

SUN, August 14 @ 7:30p; WED, August 17 @ 5:15p; SAT, August 20 @ 2:00p; TUE, August 23 @ 9:00p; SUN, August 28 @ 4:00p

Friday, June 24, 2011

KTA's 3rd Annual Roots of the Bluegrass Playwriting Contest

The Kentucky Theatre Association's (KTA’s) 2011 ROOTS OF THE BLUEGRASS playwright’s competition starts July 1. In addition to KTA's annual contest which is open to all Kentucky playwrights, the expanded version includes a new 10 minute play category for Kentucky high school and college students 22 years of age and under. The contest is free to all Kentuckians, including out-of-state residents, who resided in Commonwealth for a minimum of three years.

For the general competition, single or multi-act full length scripts are preferred. All genres will be considered (libretto, book or text only for musicals). Scripts should not exceed 120 pages. Plays that have had a fully staged production will not be considered.

The student category is limited to ten minute plays only, but students with full length scripts may compete in the general contest open to all age groups.

A cover or contact sheet with title, name and address must be included. The script itself should not include the name of the playwright, but it is helpful if the title is listed on each page.

Electronic submissions are encouraged in either a PDF or MS Word format. US mail delivered scripts must have a SASE if you wish it returned.

Semi-finalists will be announced in October. The three finalists in the general admission contest will receive staged readings and awards at the KTA convention in November. The winner will receive $150, 1st Runner-up $75 and 2nd Runner-up $50. Student finalists will receive plaques at the student awards ceremony that concludes the competition. The student winner will receive $100, 1st Runner-up $50 and 2nd Runner-up $25.

Electronic scripts and inquiries should be sent to bill.forsyth@att.net. Mail submissions should be sent to: Bill Forsyth, PO Box 24081, Lexington, Ky. 40524.

Final submissions date – August 31, 2011. Rules and guidelines can be found at: www.theatreky.com.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

No July Meeting

There is no July meeting of Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. Have a good summer; see you in August.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

EstroGenius-In-Progress to Feature Play by Trish Ayers

Trish Ayers' short play, "Painting the Egress," (written as part of a KFW (Kentucky Foundation for Women ) grant) has been selected to be read as part of EstroGenius-In-Progress in NYC on July 9th. If it is voted an audience favorite, the play will have a full performance in the fifth week of the EstroGenius Festival.

The Estrogenius Festival is an annual celebration of female voices, and is one of New York City’s largest women’s arts festivals. Estrogenius takes open submissions from around the world and is committed to providing opportunities to female artists in a variety of disciplines. For more information about the festival see http://www.estrogenius.org.

Trish Ayers is a member of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Next Meeting of KPW

The next meeting of Kentucky Playwrights Workshop will be Sunday June 12th at the Highlands Kroger on Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY. The meeting will be from 2-5 pm in the public meeting room, 2nd floor, of the Kroger store. Please join us. All meetings are open to the public and anyone in attendance, member or not, may have a 10-minute or shorter work and critiqued. Meetings are open to anyone interested in the development of new works for the stage.

Membership in KPW is open to any Kentuckian, or any student of a Kentucky college or university. Dues are $10 per year for the program year September 1 - August 31. Join now-- just $10-- and get additional months of membership; join now and your membership will expire August 31, 2012!

For more information about KPW email us at ky.playwright@yahoo.com

If you would like to join send your check (or money order) to:
KPW
PO Box 55222
Lexington, KY 40555

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Fusion Theatre's Interview with Brian Walker

The following interview was posted by Fusion Theatre on it's web site. It has been posted here because Brian Walker is a member of Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc.

How did you hear about “The Seven”?

I heard about The Seven through my Dramatist Guild Resource Directory and it was also listed on The Playwrights' Center's website.

What was the impetus/basis/inspiration for writing the piece?

The inspiration for the piece is pretty straightforward: it came when I realized that I had not received my girl scout cookies from the little girl I had ordered them from three houses down and started seeing them being sold at the entrances of local grocery stores. I was convinced that someone in my neighborhood must have stolen mine as I told her she could just leave them in my door if I wasn't home. Days past but instead of going door to door to interrogate my neighbors, I wrote the play and my cookies arrived the next week; the little girl had the flu and was late getting them out, which, by that time, was fine by me because I had gotten a play out of it.

Is this play representational of your writing style? Is it similar to or different from your other plays?

This play is very representational of my writing style. I like writing plays where the audience doesn't know exactly where they should be laughing; or if what they're watching is even supposed to be funny, or maybe half the audience thinks it's funny and the other half of the audience is mortified. I like writing characters that are flawed in some way?and that really need something (whatever it?is...cookies even...) in order to get out of bed in the morning to face the world.

What is the role of the short work in your playwriting career?

The short play has been so instrumental to my writing career as it has given me the opportunity to really hone my craft while getting my work out there into the world. I love that short play festivals are so popular because for me there are so many moments, so many instances or people or situations that I think, 'that would make a good play' but there would never be enough time to write them all down into full length scripts. So I'm always writing short plays and I'm always sending them out. The ten minute play allows me the opportunity to get those impulses out there; even when simultaneously working on a larger project I may be blocked with or just need a break from.

What is your favorite play? Who is your favorite playwright?

My favorite play is A Bright Room Called Day by Tony Kushner because it makes me weep every time I read it and my favorite playwright would have to be Christopher Durang who just inspires me and his plays makes me laugh and think and want to have fun with my own truths.

What is your next playwriting venture?

In the last week I have just completed a full length play, CAGE (or the other side of tomorrow) which is about a society which eats its criminals instead of incarcerating them. Plus it's a love story. And there are dancing cows. I'm hoping to begin submitting it this summer.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thank you so much to FUSION Theatre Company for producing my play and sharing my voice with this community; it is such an honor to be included with the other six playwrights and have my work brought to life by this group of artists.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Wordsmyth Theater is Accepting Scripts for 2012 Reading Series

Wordsmyth Theater is now accepting One Act or Two Act plays for a New Play Reading Series for 2012. Six plays will be selected, with one slot reserved for a Houston, TX playwright and another slot reserved for a Spanish/English bilingual play. Each selected playwright will be paired with a director and cast. The play will then be read in front of an audience and the audience will be invited to stay after for a moderated discussion of the play.

Submissions must meet the following criteria:

1. Play must not have been produced.
2. Play must not have had a public reading in the Houston area.
3. Submission must be received on or before July 31, 2011.
4. Submission must be a minimum of 40 pages long and have a minimum run time of 40 minutes.
5. Submission must be in .doc, .pdf or .rtf format.
6. There should be no playwright identifiers anywhere on the script.
7. Only one play per playwright per submission period.
8. No musicals, children's plays, or one-person plays.

Please go to our website at www.wordsmyththeater.org, and then click on the play submissions tab.

Thank you!

Wordsmyth Theater Company is a Houston-based playwright’s theater dedicated to the development of new theatrical works from formative stages through full production. Through workshops and readings of plays with directors, dramaturgy and performers at various stages, as well as through lectures, seminars, classes and web resources, Wordsmyth aims to provide playwrights with a wide range of assistance in realizing their artistic vision.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Fusion Theatre's Bio of Brian Walker

Our own Brian Walker is one of seven playwrights to win Fusion Theatre's The Seven 10-minute Play Contest for his play Neighborly Do's and Don'ts. Below is the biography currently running on the New Mexico' theatre's web site. Congratulation's Brian!

Brian Walker (Neighborly Do's and Don'ts) is the artistic director of Louisville, Kentucky based Finnigan Productions. He has written and produced several full length plays in the Louisville area, including: Smoke this Play, Great American Sex Play, dirty sexy derby play and ZOMBIE!. He is the creator and co-producer of Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun, an annual 10-minute play festival celebrating independent theatre artists in the Louisville area. His short play, Paradiso Airlines, was part of 2009’s Actors Theatre of Louisville Apprentice Program’s 24-Hour 10-Minute Play Festival. His short play, Purple Cool-Aide Cult from Purpletown, was an official Play-Lab selection at 2009’s Great Plains Theatre Conference in Omaha, NE. His full length play, The Kings, was part of the Juneteenth Legacy Theatre’s 2009 Juneteenth Jamboree at Actors Theatre of Louisville and part of the 18th Annual R. Joyce Whitley ARENAfest Festival of new plays in Cleveland, OH in May 2010. His short play, Jupiter’s Moons won the jury prize and the audience favorite award in March 2010 at Bellarmine University’s Anything Galileo 10-Minute Play Festival. His short play Linda & Kirk & the Mouse Incident was selected for Theatre Southwest’s 5th Annual Reader’s Theatre Festival in Houston, TX in March 2010, Appetite Theatre’s Bruschetta Festival of short plays in Chicago, IL, Actors Theatre of Louisville’s The Late Seating; both in October 2010, The Kentucky Playwrights Workshop New Play Festival in Lexington, KY in November 2010 and Louisiana State University’s Out-fest 2011 in Baton Rouge, LA in March 2011. His short play Latch/Gem was a semi-finalist in KNOCK magazine’s 2010 International Play Contest. His short play I had to meet you like this (here) (one more time) was selected for Stage-Q’s Queer Shorts 6 in Madison, WI and The Ringwald Theatre’s Gay Play Series both in June 2011. Brian was awarded the Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship Emerging Artist Award for playwrights by the Kentucky Arts Council in July 2010. He is a member of The Dramatists Guild, The Playwrights’ Center, The Kentucky Theatre Association, The Kentucky Playwrights Workshop and the Theatre Alliance of Louisville

Friday, June 3, 2011

Ten-Tucky 10-Minute Play Festival

The Bard's Town Theatre is seeking submissions for both it's Ten-Tucky Ten-Minute Play Festival and it's 2012 Mainstage season. While it embraces comedies and dramatic pieces, they look in either case for plays that focus on engaging characters, honesty, and a love of words. Their space is intimate, and thus necessitates plays with which the audience will "connect."

• Plays should not have received more than 1 professional production in the Louisville, KY area.
• Playwrights may submit up to 3 scripts.
• Submission period ends June 15 annually.
• Plays should be properly formatted, and should be no more than 10 minutes long. (If the play has had at least a reading, the playwright should know).
• All genres accepted; however, plays with advanced technical requirements and/or intricate musical needs will have a lesser chance of being selected.

• Questions should be directed to Doug Schutte, doug@thebardstown.com.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Ooops! (Wrong Date)

Ooops! I didn't notice until today but I posted the wrong day for our next meeting. The next meeting of Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. will be held on Sunday June 12th in Louisville, KY, from 2-5 pm at the Highlands Kroger on Bardstown Road. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Update About KPW

Despite-- or perhaps because of-- a lack of posting on this blog Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. is busy. The meeting last week in Berea, at the Tourism Commission office, involved reading and discussing two short plays and a short scene from a third. Additionally, we gained yet another member which brings us, I believe, to 17 members.

Upcoming meetings will be in Louisville on June 10th and in Lexington August 14th and September 11th. The Louisville meetings will be held at the Highland Krogers on Bardstown Road. The Lexington meetings will be held at Common Grounds Coffee House. All meetings begin at 2:00 pm and are open to the public.

The September meeting will be the organization's Annual Membership meeting when members of the Board of Directors are selected and we will discuss a meeting locations and schedule for the coming programmatic year (September 1 through August 31).

Beginning next fall KPW hopes to begin sponsoring or co-sponsoring classes in playwriting. First up will likely be a course on writing either the solo performance piece or the one minute play. As more information becomes available it will be posted here on the blog and/or discussed at meetings. Suggestions of other playwriting topics may be sent to ky.playwright@yahoo.com

Thursday, April 21, 2011

What Happens When Macbeth Comes to Josephine? Auditions for Site-Specific Production this June

April 11, 2011. For Immediate Release -- Josephine Sculpture Park, Melanie Van Houten Executive Director, and independent theatre director Kathi E.B. Ellis announce auditions for their collaborative production of Macbeth centered around “The Crucible” sculpture in the Park located in Frankfort.
Auditions will be held on Saturday, April 23 (Shakespeare’s birthday!):
 1:00p.m. at the Kentucky History Center, downtown Frankfort
 4:00p.m. at the Alley Theater, 1205 Washington Street (The Pointe), Louisville.

This production seeks women to perform all the roles. Actors should prepare a Shakespearean monologue; there will also be cold readings from the text of Macbeth. Headshot and resume preferred. To schedule an audition slot contact jspmacbeth@gmail.com.

The production opens at Josephine Sculpture Park, 3355 Old Harrodsburg Road, Frankfort on Friday, June 3 and runs six performances, closing on Sunday, June 12. Company members will receive a stipend.

Information about JSP is at www.josephinesculpturepark.org and about Kathi E.B. Ellis is at http://web.me.com/harryjb/ShoeStringProductions/. The production is funded in part by the Kentucky Foundation for Women, Kentucky Employees Credit Union, and individual contributions.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Theatre Alliance of Louisville to Hold 2011 Unified Auditions

Louisville, KY, April 18, 2011 – The Theatre Alliance of Louisville will hold its fifth annual unified auditions on May 14th, 2011 at the Hartford Building of the Jefferson Community College Campus on the southeast corner of First and Gray streets.

The unified auditions offer local actors a unique opportunity to audition for 16 theatres and organizations casting for multiple shows on the same day.

This years participating companies include (in alphabetical order, to date) Actors Theatre of Louisville Apprentice/Intern Company, The Alley Theater, The Alley Theater for Young Audiences, The Bard’s Town, Bunbury Theatre, Center Stage, Kathi E. B. Ellis, Emerging Artists Group, Julie Hamberg, Little Colonel Playhouse, Looking for Lilith Theatre Company, Louisville Repertory Company, Pandora Productions, Savage Rose Classical Theatre Company,Theatre 502, and Whodunnit Mystery Theatre.

The day’s schedule will run as follows:

8:15AM: Actor Registration opens in the main lobby of The Hartford Building
9:00AM: Monologue and Song (optional) Session begins
(Actors are presented to a room of representatives from each theater. Actor must perform either two 60 second contrasting monologues or one 60 second monologue and 16 measures of a song; accompanist will be provided) *
10:00AM: Actor Registration ends
1:00PM: Monologue and Song Session ends
1:30PM -2:00 Movement Session (movement for non-dancers)
2:15PM- 2:45:Dance Session begins
(For actors who dance with representatives of theatres which produce musicals)
3:00PM: Individual Company Meetings/Call back Session begins
(Some companies will post a call back sheet after the Monologue session requesting an additional meeting/audition with specific actors)
5:00PM: Individual Company Meetings/Call back Session ends

*Actors will be given a number and presented to room of representatives in groups of 10.

All actors are encouraged but not required to participate in each Session (Monologue and Song; Movement; Dance) of the day. Actors participating in any session throughout the day must register from 8:15-10:00AM and registration is on a first come first served basis.

All actors should bring 16 copies of their photograph (8X10 preferred) and resume.

Parking - big flat lot at Broadway and Second (student lot not faculty lot). Park on 1st Street side, and Hartford Building is directly opposite.

For more information, please email questions to theatreallianceoflouisville@gmail.com

The Theatre Alliance of Louisville’s mission is to unite and strengthen the local theatre community. TAL is a member of the Arts and Cultural Attractions Council of Louisville and Arts Kentucky.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

NORTH opens tonight


NORTH opens tonight at the Downtown Arts Center, Lexington, KY. Tickets are available at the box office. The show, featuring Christina Ritter as Anne Morrow Lindberg, begins at 7:30. Pictured is Christina Ritter in the Chicago production of NORTH.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Bards Town's Theatre to Open May 11, 2011

Final preparations are underway, and the The Bard's Town new theatre will open on May 11, 2011, with it's inaugural show: Doug Schutte's new comedy CHASING OPHELIA, directed by Scot Atkinson. The Bards Town is located at 1801 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205...on the corner of Bardstown Rd. and Speed Ave. in the Louisville Highlands.

CHASING OPHELIA charts the course of a ne-formed character named Ned, who finds love, loses love, and chases after love--wreaking havoc as he does.

The show features Ryan Watson, Beth Tantanella, Nadeem Ziman, Jason Cooper, ...Tad Timberlake, and Doug Schutte

Advance ticket sales will be available on our website (thebardstown.com) in mid-April. Tickets are $12-14 in advance, and $13-15 day of show. Seating for the show will be limited, so purchase early for your desired date.

Tickets can also be reserved by calling 749-5275.

ADDED BONUS: Each ticket purchased for the show will include a 10% off coupon to dine at The Bard's Town either before or after the show. A wonderful selection of "beverages" will be available DURING the performance.

SHOW DATES

Wed, May 11. 7:30 PM
Fri, May 13. 7:30 PM
Sat, May 14. 7:30 PM
Sun, May 15. 7:30 PM
Wed, May 18. 7:30 PM
Thu, May 19. 7:30 PM
Fri, May 20. 7:30 PM
Sat, May 21. 7:30 PM

Questions? Email Doug Schutte at doug@thebardstown.com

Monday, April 4, 2011

NORTH is now playing the South!

NORTH, a new play by the for/ward company opens at the Downtown Arts Center in Lexington, Kentucky on Thursday April 7th for five performances. The play is about a charged meeting between writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh and French pilot and author Antoine de Saint Exupery.

Called "wistful, poetic, and wise" by the Chicago Tribune and given four stars by Chicago Time Out, NORTH is constructed entirely from the writings of Anne and Charles Lindbergh and Saint Exupery.\

NORTH runs April 7, 8, & 9 at 7:30pm and April 9 & 10 at 2:00pm.

For more information and for tickets visit www.for-word-company.net

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Festival of Funky Fresh Fun Opens April 14th

Finnigan Productions presents its fourth annual festival of new plays by local playwrights, Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun, running April 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, & 23 at 7:30pm at The Rudyard Kipling, located at 422 W. Oak Street. Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun is the second production in Finnigan’s seventh season in Louisville.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun is a celebration of local theatre artists in the disciplines of playwriting, acting and directing, with scripts from ten local writers, directed by ten local directors and performed by sixteen local actors. The plays were selected by a committee of theatre artists who regularly contribute to Finnigan shows.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun’s plays include a man who swears he sees and hears a singing frog in Looney Tunes by Ben Unwin; a third wheel gets more than he’s bargained for in Roommates by Carlos Manuel; an appliance whisperer set on helping home appliances evolve in Home School by Carolyn Biggs; in the future sex is outlawed but people still want to learn about it in The Librarian by Nancy Gall-Clayton; if you think your job is hard try choir directing in The Da-da, da-da, da-da, da song by Mitch Fields; monkeys explore their humanity in Double Helix by Tad Chitwood; quality family time takes on new meaning in Home Movies by Kevin Gibson; Brittany the transvestite chicken is back in the third installment of the zany adventures of a slightly touched family from London, KY in The Wettest Beak by Sherry R. Deatrick; gypsies, collectors and assholes vie for the object of their affections in Slut for Kush-Balls by Brian Walker; and speed dating hits new…speeds…in Water, water, everywhere… by Bryce Woodard.

Directing credits for Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun are being shared by several local directors, including, Necessary Theatre’s artistic director Tad Chitwood; Pandora Productions’ artistic director Michael Drury; Louisville Repertory Company’s Amy Lewis; StageLab’s founding co-principal and a member of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc., Kathi E. B. Ellis; first time director Amelia Pantalos; returning festival director (and winner of last year’s audience favorite play) Becky LeCron; returning director and regular contributing artist George R. Bailey; local actor Jeremy Sapp; local playwright Ben Unwin; and Finnigan’s Brian Walker

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun is being produced by Louisville native and artistic director of Finnigan Productions, Brian Walker and longtime collaborator Kelly Kapp. Walker’s previous writing/producing credits include The Time I was Kidnapped by the Church, Smoke This Play, Great American Sex Play, my daddy’s name is Big Oil, Shot Me Down, dirty sexy derby play and ZOMBIE!. Walker is a member of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. Kapp has been a member of Finnigan’s acting company since its first season and serves as drama director at Mercy Academy.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun’s cast includes local talents George R. Bailey, Sarah East, Laura Ellis, Natalie Fields, Joe Hatfield, Kelly Kapp, Shaun Kenney, Becky LeCron, Corey Long, Taylor Milks, Kimberly Peterson, Leah Roberts, Michael Roberts, Neill Robertson, Jenn Starr Tennant, Eric Welch and Bryce Woodard.

Reservations for dinner and the show may be made by calling The Rudyard Kipling at 502.636.1311. Tickets are only $12.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun was written and conceived by adults for adults and due to adult language and situations, it is not recommended for anyone under the age of seventeen.

Finnigan Productions is a member of the Theatre Alliance of Louisville and the Kentucky Theatre Association.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

April Meeting

The April meeting of Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. will be held on Sunday April 10, 2011 at Common Grounds Coffee House, Lexington, KY. The meeting will run from 2-5 pm and consist of readings of members one act or full-length plays. As time allows 10-minute or shorter works by members or guests will be read and discussed. Additionally, Herman Farrell, Dramatists Guild regional representative will attend and speak briefly about the Guild. Members and non-members of KPA are welcome to attend the meeting. Membership in KPA is open to any Kentuckian who is interested in the development of new works for the stage.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

We are Now IRS Approved!

The Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. is now approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 nonprofit with all the obligations and opportunities that that entails.

For you, the lover of new works of theatre now reading this, that means that you can now donate some of your hard earned lucre to support our organization that gives opportunities to aspiring playwrights. If you would like to donate, contributions in any amount (now tax deductible! yeah.) may be sent to:

KPW Donation
PO Box 55222
Lexington, KY 40555.

Membership in KPW is open to any Kentuckian who wishes to join. Membership is $10 per year. If you would like to join KPW you may send your dues (which are not generally tax deductible) to:

KPW Dues
PO Box 55222
Lexington, KY 40555

NOTE: Individual circumstances may vary so please consult your tax professional about the tax implications of membership in or donations to the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Finnigan Productions Presents its fourth Festival of Funky Fresh Fun

Louisville, KY, March 14, 2011 – Finnigan Productions presents its fourth annual festival of new plays by local playwrights, Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun, running April 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, & 23 at 7:30pm at The Rudyard Kipling, located at 422 W. Oak Street. Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun is the second production in Finnigan’s seventh season in Louisville.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun is a celebration of local theatre artists in the disciplines of playwriting, acting and directing, with scripts from ten local writers, directed by ten local directors and performed by sixteen local actors. The plays were selected by a committee of theatre artists who regularly contribute to Finnigan shows.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun’s plays include a man who swears he sees and hears a singing frog in Looney Tunes by Ben Unwin; a third wheel gets more than he’s bargained for in Roommates by Carlos Manuel; an appliance whisperer set on helping home appliances evolve in Home School by Carolyn Biggs; in the future sex is outlawed but people still want to learn about it in The Librarian by Nancy Gall-Clayton; if you think your job is hard try choir directing in The Da-da, da-da, da-da, da song by Mitch Fields; monkeys explore their humanity in Double Helix by Tad Chitwood; quality family time takes on new meaning in Home Movies by Kevin Gibson; Brittany the transvestite chicken is back in the third installment of the zany adventures of a slightly touched family from London, KY in The Wettest Beak by Sherry R. Deatrick; gypsies, collectors and assholes vie for the object of their affections in Slut for Kush-Balls by Brian Walker; and speed dating hits new…speeds…in Water, water, everywhere… by Bryce Woodard.

Directing credits for Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun are being shared by several local directors, including, Necessary Theatre’s artistic director Tad Chitwood, Pandora Productions’ artistic director Michael Drury, Louisville Repertory Company’s Amy Lewis, StageLab’s founding co-principal Kathi E. B. Ellis, first time director Amelia Pantalos, returning festival director (and winner of last year’s audience favorite play) Becky LeCron, returning director and regular contributing artist George R. Bailey, local actor Jeremy Sapp, playwright Ben Unwin and Finnigan’s Brian Walker.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun is being produced by Louisville native and artistic director of Finnigan Productions, Brian Walker and longtime collaborator Kelly Kapp. Walker’s previous writing/producing credits include The Time I was Kidnapped by the Church, Smoke This Play, Great American Sex Play, my daddy’s name is Big Oil, Shot me Down, dirty sexy derby play and ZOMBIE!. Kapp has been a member of Finnigan’s acting company since its first season and serves as drama director at Mercy Academy.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun’s cast includes local talents George R. Bailey, Sarah East, Laura Ellis, Natalie Fields, Joe Hatfield, Kelly Kapp, Shaun Kenney, Becky LeCron, Corey Long, Taylor Milks, Kimberly Peterson, Leah Roberts, Michael Roberts, Neill Robertson, Jenn Starr Tennant, Eric Welch and Bryce Woodard.

Reservations for dinner and the show may be made by calling The Rudyard Kipling at 502.636.1311. Tickets are only $12.

Finnigan’s Festival of Funky Fresh Fun was written and conceived by adults for adults and due to adult language and situations, it is not recommended for anyone under the age of seventeen.

Finnigan Productions is a member of the Theatre Alliance of Louisville and the Kentucky Theatre Association.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Looking for Lilith, Looking for Help


Above and below are pictures from the premiere of "Fabric, Fire and Fervor: Women of the Triangle" March 25, 2009 - the 98th anniversary of the fire.
Looking for Lilith, a Louisville-based professional theatre, will perform in NYC on the 100th anniversary of the fire. A benefit performance of the show, to help pay to take the show to New York, is being done Wednesday March 16, 2011 at Natasha's Cafe in Lexington. Tickets are still available.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A Reminder: Natasha's Next Wednesday-- Be There!

The New York-bound "Fabric, Flames, and Fervor: Girls of the Triangle" is heading to Natasha's Cafe, courtesy of Balagula Theatre this month, Wednesday, March 16. This benefit performance will help Looking for Lilith raise funds to take their original production to the Manhattan Theatre Source, just two blocks away from the original Triangle Factory. Looking for Lilith will perform there the week of March 20, including on the 100th anniversary of the fire, Friday, March 25, 2011. Come to Natasha's and see a little glimpse of New York glamour on Lexington's Esplanade next week!

A review of Fabric, Flames and Fervor can be found at: http://theartslouisville.com/Reviews_2011/kw_fabricflames.php

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Next Meeting to be in Louisville

The next meeting of Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. will be Sunday March 13, 2011at the Highlands Kroger 2440 Bardstown Road, Louisville from 2-5 pm in the second floor community room. There is plenty of free parking. If you have trouble finding it directions can be obtained on line or by calling the store at 502-459-9805.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Wrigley Field Moves to Minneapolis!

Bill McCann's 10-minute play THERE IS NO WRIGLEY FIELD will be given a staged reading at the Mid-America Theatre Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday March 5, 2011 as part of the conference's Playwriting Symposium. The play will be directed by Phylis Ravel, Marquette University with Martine Kei Green, University of Wisconsin-Madison, serving as dramaturg.

The play takes place in the minutes between the time "David" gets home-- and announces that he wants to leave and consider whether or not he wants to leave his 20 year marriage to "Rita"-- and when Rita pulls rolls for dinner out of the oven. David is to be played by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, University of Illinois-Springfield. Rita will be performed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson, University of Illinois-Springfield.

Bill McCann is a member of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. He is a co-founder with Greta Fields, of 517 Playwrights and a member of Dramatist's Guild. Currently, he is working on a MA in Theatre at the University of Kentucky and working at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, both in Lexington, KY.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Money Blues Come to Berea

Money Blue$: A Collection of Ten Minute Plays by Carrider M. Jones, Toby Sturgeon Wilcher, Melissa Lamb-Rue and Trish Ayers run Thursday February 10 through Saturday February 12, 2011 at Berea Arena Theatre. The plays are directed by
Glenda Dent White.

Trish Ayers and Glenda Dent White are both members of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. and 517 Playwrights.

Admission is $5.00 and 1 Food Item for the Food Pantry. Tickets are available at the door, from cast members or, for more information,
Email Mail4trish@earthlink.net

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Six New Plays to be Read on Sunday

Six new plays will be given first readings at the next meeting of 517 Playwrights on Sunday February 13, 2011. The readings of new scripts, all by Kentucky playwrights-- will take place from 2-5 pm at Common Grounds Coffee House in Lexington. Among the plays are two short one acts by Heidi Saunders, a 30 minute one act by Bill McCann and three related 10-minute plays by George McGee. The meeting is open to both the members and the public. If you have an interest in the development of new works for the stage, please join us.

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World Opens February 18th

The 2010-11 Berea College Theatre season continues with The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World by Suzan Lori-Parks. Performances are 8pm February 18, 19 and 23-26 in the McGaw Theatre in the Jelkyl Drama Center. There will be a sign interpreted performance Friday, February 25th.

Considered to be Suzan Lori-Parks’ masterpiece says Director Adanma Barton The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World, is a piece that is rarely performed due of the nature of its absent discernable plot; “ [Death] is a non-linear play…I love that.” Says Barton. The play also delves into the African American stereotype; “The figures themselves, these African American stereotypes… how do you stay true to the script and make it … relatable?” While Death is a show that is engaging, it can be a hard show to produce; although Barton says she likes a challenge. “I have always wanted to tackle directing this play. I love the way Parks uses repetition and revision, and how she explores the rhythm of language.”
One of the biggest things you can hear in the show is its ties to African American music, which has greatly influenced Parks’ work, according to Barton. Berea College theatre alum Thomas Usher will be involved in bringing music to the production. “What we are doing is keeping with Susan Lori-Parks' evocation of jazz with her words through hinting at various American genres like jazz and blues, all at the same time blending Afro-influenced percussion styles from several areas like Haiti, Ghana, Senegal and a few others,” says Usher.

Parks was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and began creative writing at a very young age, though she began exploring writing for the stage during her time at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Parks wrote The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World in 1992 and it premiered at the Brooklyn Arts and Culture Association. She has written nineteen full length plays including In the Blood, Topdog/Underdog, and the screen play Their Eyes Were Watching God. She has won several awards including the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play Topdog/Underdog, and the 2008 NAACP Theatre Award for Ray Charles Live! as well as receiving the MacArthur Fellows Genius Grant.

Berea College has produced Parks’ Topdog/Underdog as well as participating in the year-long premiere of 365 Days/365 Plays.

Tickets for The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World are on sale now. Performances are 8pm February 18, 19 and 23-26. Convocation performances are February 23 and 25.

Call the Berea College Theatre box office at (859) 985-3300 Monday through Friday, from 1-5pm and one hour prior to all performances. Tickets range in price from $5 to $10.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Balagula Theatre to Host New Play

The Balagula Theatre, Lexington, KY, will help honor the lives of 146 workers killed in an industrial fire with the presentation of Fabric, Flames and Fervor: Girls of the Triangle and to support the Looking for Lilith Theatre Compamy's effort to bring a work by Kentucky artists to the national attention.

Fabric, Flames, and Fervor: Girls of the Triangle was created by Lauren Argo, Kathi E.B. Ellis, Trina Fischer, Kelby McIntyre, Kelly McNerney, Laura Morton, Jill Schierbaum, Jennifer Thalman Kepler and Shannon Woolley. The play stars Lauren Argo, Trina Fischer, Carolyn Purcell(NY)/Jennifer Thalman Kepler(KY), Dawn Elizabeth Schulz, Karole Spangler, and Shannon Woolley.

The play has been evolving since 2006 when director Kathi E.B. Ellis first brought the idea of this project to Trina Fischer and Shannon Woolley of “Looking For Lilith”, who themselves had been interested for years in the topic and hoped to one day create such a play. Finding this synchronicity of interests, they began working together on other projects until the time was right to begin "The Triangle Project." Most of 2008 was spent creating this new play and it premiered on the 98th anniversary of the fire, March 25, 2009.

Kathi E.B. Ellis directs; Casey Clark did the lighting design; Lindsay Chamberlin designed the costumes; Jill Marie Schierbaum did the set design; Nathan Roberts did sound design; and Robert Quinlan served as dialect coach.

In 2006 This production was made possible in part through grants from the Kentucky Foundation for Women, sponsorship by the KY AFL-CIO, and generous contributions from many individuals in the Kentuckiana area. Efforts to take the show to New York City for a brief run are being underwitten in part by proceeds from benefit performances being put on in both Lexington and Shelbyville, KY.

The benefit performance at Natasha’s Bistro and Bar, 112 Esplanade, Lexington will be held on Wednesday March 16, 2011. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students. Dining seating is available from 5:30- 7:30 pm. Theatre seating begins at 8:15 with the curtain rising at 8:30. For reservations call 859-259-2754 or visit beetnik.com.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Three by George to be Read February 13

THREE BY GEORGE! a group of three related 10-minute plays written by George McGee will be informally read at the next meeting of 517 Playwrights on February 13, 2011 at Common Grounds Coffee House in Lexington from 2-5 pm. The meeting is open to the public.

The three plays are all set in the a large upscale hotel restaurant in a large city. Each play is summarized below:

AT IT AGAIN! - Margaret returns from the restroom to find Nelson sitting alone at the table. Nelson tells Margaret that her husband and his wife are dancing…somewhere. Margaret sits down in shock and tells Nelson that her husband is, “At it again”.

SHALL WE DANCE ? - Dan and his fiancĂ©, Gillian are having dinner with Dan’s recently widowed father, Mike. Dan is called away leaving Gillian and Mike to…”Make nice”…it’s not going very well.

JUST DESSERTS - Two college students, (Patrick and Leslie) have been ordered by their respective Greek organizations to meet in a ‘fancy’ restaurant for a blind date…the only problem is each has to dress as the opposite sex…and they aren’t fooling anybody.

Mr. McGee is an actor and playwright who directs the theatre department at Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY. He is probably best known for his portrayal of Kentucky statesman Henry Clay for the Kentucky Humanities Council's Kentucky Chatauqua program.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Balagula Will Host a Louisville Theatre On Its Way to New York

The Balagula Theatre, Lexington Kentucky, will host a Benefit Performance of Fabric, Flames, and Fervor: Girls of the Triangle, an original play created and produced by “Looking For Lilith”, a Louisville based ensemble theatre.

The play was inspired by the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911 in New York City, and explores the lives of women and girls who were tragically killed in that garment factory fire, the ensuing trial against the owners, its effect on the labor rights movement and a drastic change of the US labor laws that it inspired.

The March 16 Benefit Performance in Lexington, as well as a number of performances in Shelbyville (Feb 24-26, Mar 3-5), aims to commemorate the 100th anniversary of this important event in the American History as well as to raise funds for this Kentucky theatre to present their powerful original work at the Manhattan Theatre Source (March 24-27) as a part of the national centennial remembrance event in New York.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

February Meeting

The February meeting will be held at Common Grounds Coffee House on Sunday February 13, 2011 from 2-5 pm. Members with one-act or full-length plays that they would like to have read should let Bill McCann know in advance of their interest in having a play read. Members or visitors with 10-minute or shorter works may simply bring those to the meeting and they will be read and commented on as time allows.

The public reading of plays tenatively scheduled for February 2 and 3 at the Lexington Public Library Theatre has been cancelled. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may create.

Please join us for the February 13 regular meeting at Common Grounds. Hope to see you there.