No July Meeting

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Happy New Year

Here's wishing one and all a Happy New Year.

The year just ending has been a good one for Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. We have done the heavy lifting of preparing bylaws, preparing a policy manual and otherwise doing the paperwork to become a 501(c)3 nonprofit recognized by the IRS. We elected our first Board of Directors: Bill McCann, Jr. president, James Brown, treasurer and Shan Ayers, secretary. We've held meetings in both Lexingtona and Louisville. We've grown to 14 members. And we held our second international 10-minute play contest.

There have been some disappointments as well, most notably that we had to postpone the Kentucky Festival of New Plays because, unfortunately, the facility we were to have held the festival was not yet ready.

On the plus side 2011 is already shaping up to be a good year: at some point the IRS will-- after working with us to make sure everything is good to go-- approve our application for nonprofit status. We will have our first public staged reading of member plays on February 2-3 2011 at the Lexington Public Library's theatre. We will continue to grow our membership. And hopefully the Bards Town's theatre will be up and running in time for us to produce the festival in April.

Our next meeting will be January 23, 2011 at Common Grounds Coffee House in Lexington from 2-5 pm. Please join us. Meetings are open to the public. We will read the one act and full-length plays of members. Anyone who attends may bring a 10-minute or shorter work that we may read as time allows.

Membership in KPW is open to any Kentuckian interested in the deveklopment of new works for the stage. Dues are $10 per year.

Meeting Schedule for the first Quarter of 2011

There will be no meeting in December 2010.

Instead our first meeting of the new year will be Sunday January 23, 2011 at Common Grounds Coffee House in Lexington. The second meeting will be Sunday February 13th, also at Common Grounds. For March it would be good to get out of Lexington and hold a meeting elsewhere; city and location to be determined.

The January meeting will involve readings of members' plays in progress. If you have either a one act or full-length play that is ready (or will be ready) for reading please send a note to ky.playwright@yahoo.com so that your play reading can be scheduled. If you have a 10-minute or shorter play that you would like to have read, simply bring it to a meeting and it will be read as time allows.

In either February or March of 2011 we will schedule a public (music stand) reading of members' works at the Lexington Public Library Theatre. Watch the blog for more details.

Taking Stock to be Read in Berea

Award winning playwright Trish Ayers’ most recent full-length play Taking Stock will have the first public reading as the featured November 5th Berea Arts Council literary program. Ayers was awarded a 2009 Kentucky Foundation for Women (KFW) Individual Artist grant to edit Taking Stock, a play that explores the issue of horse slaughter and the impact of hurt turned inward.

The reading will be an opportunity for community members to be a part of hearing for the first time these new characters come to life. Audience members who volunteer will read different character parts and a short question and answer session will take place following the reading.

Ayers originated the Kentucky Women Playwrights’ Seminar, which has twice been funded by the KFW. She is the co-artistic director and resident playwright of Mountain Spirit Puppets with her husband Shan Ayers. Her plays have toured the United States and Japan. She has been a guest artist at Iowa State and Western Illinois University. Her plays have won numerous awards from the Appalachian Writers Association and were a finalist in the 2009 Heartland Ten-Minute and One-Act Play Festival. Judging Quilts, one of her ten-minute plays was recently selected to be a part of the Kentucky New Play Festival to be held in Bardstown in November. She is a member of Dramatists Guild and 517 Playwrights, and the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. a non-profit supported in part by the Kentucky Arts Council.

Join us... become a Founding Member

Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. is open to any Kentuckian interested in writing or producing new works for the stage. Any Kentuckian interested in supporting our work, or who is a playwright may join and become a Founding Member of the group by sending a check for $10 made out to Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. (or simply KPW)toPO Box 55222 Lexington, KY 40555. Founding Membership is only available until October 1, 2010-- after that regular memberships are available for that same $10. No special honor goes to those who are Founding Members. On the other hand, how many times do you expect to be a Founding Member of an organization? Get your check in the mail today-- October 1, 2010 will be here before you know it and this once in a lifetime opportunity will be lost forever.

Louise Penberthy Play to be Produced

Louise Penberthy, the author of No More Than Reason, is an actor, playwright, and director. Recent productions include “Miss Hannah Comes Back” at Pierce College in Tacoma, Washington, and her short play “The Cougar in the Coffeehouse” in the Erotic Shorts Festival at the Little Red Studio in Seattle. Louise lives in Seattle with her husband and two cats. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild.

No More Than Reason , a winner of 517 Playwrights 2nd Annual 10-Minute Play Contest, will be produced November 19 and 20 as part of the Kentucky Festival of New Plays at the Bards Town, 1801 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY. The festival is sponsored by the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. and the Bards Town Theatre.

Organizational Meeting Held

A meeting to formally organize the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. was held on the afternoon of August 15, 2010 at Common Grounds Coffee House in Lexington, KY. At that meeting the KPW adopted Bylaws, a policy manual and the membership elected a Board of Directors and approved dues for 2010 - 2011 of $10. Members who pay their dues on or before September 30, 2010 will be recognized as KPW's "Founding Members."

Individuals elected to the first Board of Directors are: Shan Ayers, Berea (Secretary); James Brown, Lexington (Treasurer) and Bill McCann, Jr., Lexington (President). The Board members will serve until the Annual Meeting of Active Members in September 2011, or until their successors are elected or appointed.

Membership in the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. is open to any Kentuckian interested in the production of new works for the stage.

KPW is organized as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Membership and Board Meetings are open to the general public. Copies of the Bylaws as amended and approved at the Organizational meeting on August 15th are available upon request by sending a request to ky.playwright@yahoo.com

Advertising Rates for Program Announced

Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. announced advertsing rates for this year's Kentucky Festival of New Plays that will be held November 19 and 20 at The Bards Town, 1801 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY:

business card: $35

1/4 page ad: $60

1/2 page ad: $100

full-page ad: $175

To advertise or for more information write ky.playwright@yahoo.com

This year's Kentucky Festival of New Plays features eight 10-minute plays by five Kentucky playwrights as well as three plays by playwrights from across America.

Candidates for the KPW Board of Directors

The following individuals-- listed alphabetically-- are candidates for election to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. at the meeting to be held on Sunday August 15, 2010 at Common Grounds Coffee House, begining at 2:00 pm.

Board members elected at this Sunday's meeting will be responisble for the financial and administrative management of the KPW until thier successors are elected or appointed. Term of office is one year. From among themselves the Board will elect a president, secretary and treasurer to serve until the Annual Meeting 0f Active Members in September 2011.

Candidates for the Board are:

Shan R. Ayers, a Professor of Theatre at Berea College, holds an MFA in Theatre Design. He has been on the faculty at Berea College since 1984. He joined 517Playwrights this past Spring. Shan currently teaches playwriting courses at Berea and has twice taught playwriting while abroad with the Kentucky Institute for International Studies. He has also served as the playwriting judge for the Appalachian Writers Association and as a judge for the Berea Arts Council's Ten Minute Play Festival during their Quilt Extravaganza. He is currently reformatting and editing a collection of short plays written by Kentucky women playwrights. Shan's play, DRAPED IN HONOR, was selected for this year's Kentucky Festival of New Plays.

James Brown joinied KPW in February 2010. He will be producer of this year's festival of new plays. In addition to KPW James is a playwright and actor who is also working on an MFA in creative writing. James' play HIGHER EDUCATION was produced this past winter at the Lexington Public Library Theatre. Most recently, ames was in BCTC's play A FEW GOOD MEN in which he played Major Markinson.

Bill McCann, Jr. is co-founder (with Greta Fields) of 517 Playwrights and a Founding Member of Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. In addition to doing much of the work necessary to beocome an IRS sanctioned non-profit Bill has served as Contest Coordinator for both of the 517 Playwrights 10-minute play contests. This year Bill is also serving as Executive Producer (chief fundraiser) for the Kentucky Festival of New Plays. Beginning on August 16th Bill is going to be starting work on a MA in Theatre at the University of Kentucky. Bill is a playwright and actor. Most recently Bill played Charlie Martin in ON GOLDEN POND with the Little Colonel Playhouse in Pewee Valley, KY. His play, THERE IS NO WRIGLEY FIELD, will be in the Kentucky Festival of New Plays.

Steve Taylor attended the very first meeting of 517 Playwrights in 2008 and has been an active and enthusiastic member since writing the initial draft of the organization's Bylaws and helping KPW become incorporated as a non-profit. For both play contests Steve has been a judge; this year he also submitted two scripts for consideration. In addition to his work with KPW Steve is a playwright, a lawyer and, with a partner, an owner of a small press that specializes in publishing poetry.

Additional nominees will be accepted from the floor the day of the election.

KPW Founders Meeting: August 15, 2010

We will officially "Found" (establish) Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. at our meeting on August 15, 2010 at Common Grounds Coffee House, Lexington, KY. beginning at 2:00 pm. If you have an interest in writing or developing new plays for the stage (and live in Kentucky) then Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. needs you!

At our August 15th meeting we will be doing the arcane but oh so necessary work of formally establishing KPW as a viable on-going organization; we will adopt Bylaws, establish dues for the coming year ($10 is the recommendation), adopt a policy manual and elect Board members. Currently the organization has 12 members who reside in Berea, Georgetown, Lexington, Louisville, and Whitesburg. Based upon the procedure that is to be recommended to those who attend the meeting we need a quorum of six (6) of the current members to be present in order for us to do business. So-- please attend the meeting.

If you have an interest in joining us, please do so. But if you have never been to a meeting before then PLEASE contact us at ky.playwright@yahoo.com and request the materials to be discussed and voted on at the August 15th meeting. Only individuals who have received the materials AT LEAST 72 hours in advance of the meeting may be allowed to vote; anyone wishing to attend the meeting however may do so.

Well, it is hard to believe but KPW is about to burst into bloom-- join us!

Walker Receives Emerging Artist Award

Recently the Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) announced its selection of six artists as recipients of its Emerging Artist Awards: Daniel Cherry, literary –fiction, Pulaski County; Amelia Martens, literary – fiction, McCracken County; Britton Shurley, literary – poetry, McCracken County; Eric Stem, musical composition, Jefferson County; Brian Walker, literary – playwriting, Jefferson County; and Mariam Williams, literary – creative nonfiction, Jefferson County.

Of the six recipients, Brian Walker of Louisville is a member of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc and a judge of this year's non-Kentucky entries in the 2nd Annual 517 Playwrights 10-Minute Play Contest.

To read the copmplete announcement go to:
http://migration.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/kyarts/Fellowship_Announce_071510.htm

One Day Left

There is only a little more than one day left to enter this year's 2nd Annual 517 Playwrights 10-Minute Play Contest; send in your entry today. The contest closes at midnight 30 June 2010 so don't delay in sending in your submission. The rules were posted on this blog on May 2, 2010. The email address for submissions is ky.playwright@yahoo.com

Liz Fentress to Consult with KPW

Liz Fentress, a theatre consultant based in Louisville, Ky. has agreed to work with members of Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. as we work towards applying for public charity status with the Internal Revenue Service. Best known as 501(c)3 status, the IRS requires that all non-profits wishing to obtain recognition as "public charity" apply by filing the appropriate application and supporting documents including bylaws and a mission statement. What Ms. Fentress will help KPW do is improve on drafts of the bylaws and mission statement and prepare a draft of the application. With much of this paperwork already drafted it is hoped that the application for 501(c)3 status can be submitted before September 30, 2010.

According to her biography on the Kentucky Arts Council web site, "Liz Fentress has extensive experience in professional, community and educational theatre as a producer, administrator, director, actor and teacher. Liz was the Associate Producer of Kentucky Repertory Theatre (formerly Horse Cave Theatre) for eight years, where she served on both the management and artistic teams. This included supervising fundraising and grant writing, coordinating the new play development and education programs, and directing and acting each season. Liz also served as the Executive Director of the Playhouse in the Park, the community theatre in Murray, KY. While there, she oversaw Board development, financial management, marketing, fundraising, volunteer coordination and programming of a nine-play production season, a new play festival and educational opportunities for all ages. Prior to moving to Kentucky, Liz toured extensively throughout the Midwest with the Guthrie Theatre and the Franzen Brothers Circus. She was a founding member of the Irondale Ensemble in New York."

Ms. Fentress' services are being provided to KPW by the Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) which seeks to encourage and develop the arts in Kentucky. The KAC is an agency of state government which provides resources to individual artists and arts groups throughout the state. More information about the KAC and its programs can be found by visiting http://artscouncil.ky.gov/

Fridge Door Live Theatre Camp Still Has Openings

Len Cuthbert's theatre company for youth and children, Fridge Door Live, is running four weeks of camp in London Ontario, Canada this summer. Weeks two and three (July 5-16) are full. Weeks one and four still have some vacancies. http://www.fridgedoorlive.com/

In 2006, Len Cuthbert created a Summer Theatre Camp designed for kids with an interest in the performing arts. Children and youth with an interest in the performing arts are involved in a variety of theatre activity while working together as a team to prepare a final production that will be presented before a live audience of family and friends.

SUMMER CAMPS 2010
Hillside Church, 250 Commissioners E. London
July 5-9 - Grade 3-6
July 12-16 - Grade 5-8
July 19-23 - Grade 7-10

Summerside Church, 1447 Commissioners E. London
August 9-13 - Grade 4-8

For more information visit the Fridge Door Live Theatre Company web site, via the link above.

In 2009, Len Cuthbert's 10-minute play Enigmatic Lucidity was presented as part of the Midway Festival of Plays at the Thoroughbred Community Theatre by Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc.

A Few Good Men Stars a Playwright!

KPW's very own James Brown is featured as Major Markinson in Bluegrass Community and Technical College's production of A FEW GOOD MEN June 24-26th at 7:30 and June 27th at 2:00 pm. All perfomances are at the Downtown Arts Center in Lexington.

Aaron Sorkin's A FEW GOOD MEN is the story of military lawyers at a court-martial who uncover a high-level conspiracy in the course of defending their clients, United States Marines accused of murder. The play is co-directed by Tim X. Davis and Jared K. Sloan. Tickets are $12.00. All performances will be at the Downtown Arts Center, 141 E. Main Street, Lexington , KY 40507. For reservations call 859 225-0370.

Kentucky Arts Council Grant Approved

Recently the Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) approved the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop Inc.'s application for assistance in applying for 501(c)3 recognition from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a charitable organization. With the help of a "peer advisor" (arts consultant) KPW will receive advice about how to organize its business affairs in order to receive IRS recognition as an approved charity.

The KAC's KPAN (Kentucky Peer Advisory Network) program is intended, according to the KAC website, as "a flexible, user-friendly program that has been designed to give arts organizations, community groups, schools, and eligible individual artists, professional assistance in a timely manner at minimal cost."

"KPAN is a program of the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that creates opportunities for Kentuckians through the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts."

"Organizations or eligible individual artists can apply to have a Peer Advisor assist them with specific issues such as: Board Development, Grantwriting, Marketing & Promotion, Strategic Planning, Festival Planning and More," year around. There is no application deadline or fee.

The KAC will pay the consultant's consulting fee; travel and incidental expenses will be the responsibility of the KPW. 517 Playwrights is the New Play Development Committee of KPW.

For more information about KAC or its programs, including KPAN, visit its website: http://artscouncil.ky.gov/

A potential KPAN consultant has been contacted to assist KPW. When an individual agrees to work with KPW the name and background of the consultant will be discussed in a future article.