“MEET THE ARTIST” SERIESReadings for 2008
There’s a new venue for our readings this year. Both plays will be read at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit. What’s this all about? We thought a change of scenery would be fun, and our friends at Reeves-Reed offered us their amazing space. Reeves-Reed is an arboretum that focuses on horticultural and environmental education. Its grounds include formal gardens, woodlands, native wetlands, and the former estate. Admission to Reeves-Reed Arboretum is free. [more photos, info and directions]
About the SeriesDreamcatcher’s “Meet the Artist” series is a forum that showcases new theatrical works. The series provides audiences an opportunity to experience new shows and participate in discussions with playwrights, directors and actors. The series’s goal is to expose the adult public to the evolution of a theatrical presentation. The “Meet the Artist” series has been received with enthusiasm and animated discussion, indicating that there is a large potential audience for new plays and interactive programs, and we are excited that we can continue offering new works each season. What is a “Reading”?A reading is a performance of a play that focuses on the words of the script and the interaction of the actors without sets, props and costumes. Readings are a way to present plays in front of live audiences without the expense of a fully staged production. While readings can be of new or existing works, Dreamcatcher chooses to read new plays only. Readings of new shows can help a show’s creative team see what works and what might need a rewrite. When a reading goes particularly well, Dreamcatcher will consider the play for a fully-staged production in an upcoming season. What to Expect
At the end of the performance the audience will be invited to discuss the play with the playwright, director and actors. HistoryThe first “Meet the Artist” show offered by Dreamcatcher was a new jazz musical, "Experiments", written by playwright Vernon Takeshita and composer Dean Kravitz, and was performed as part of our 1996 summer season. Dreamcatcher also produced two original one-woman shows in the Fall of 1996 at the Baird Cultural Center in South Orange: "Still Standing" and "Baby Love", both works by female writer/performers based on deeply personal experiences in their own lives. In March of 1997 we produced a special offering of "Still Standing" at Ramapo College for Women's History Month. In 1997 we offered two readings of original works: "Mother's Day", written by emerging playwright Joe Lauinger, and "Whatever Will Be", written by Dreamcatcher co-founder Laura Ekstrand. During the summer of '98 we presented Steve Harper's "Confessions of a Non-Famous Actor" and Rose Caruso's "Tales of an Urban Burb". In 1999, we read Michael T. Folie's "Naked by the River" and Gordon Dahlquist's "The Secret Machine. In 2001-2002, we held readings of "Full Bloom", by Suzanne Bradbeer, "Girl's Room", by Joni Fritz, and "Brink of Life", a new musical by Laura Ekstrand, Oliver Lake and Steve Harper. “Meet the Artist” 2003-2004 included readings of "Group
S.O.S." by
Bonnie C. Bedford and "So, Tell Me!" by Melissa Jane Martin. In the
2004-2005 season, WALTER AND PEG by John Watts and FOOL CIRCLE by
Sheldon Senek received readings and discussions in the “Meet
the Artist” series. In May 2006 the “Meet the Artist” series
included THE ROOF by Suzanne Bradbeer and THE LAUNDRY CHANNEL by
Steve Harper. The 2007 series showcased GOATWOMAN OF MEMPHIS by Christine
Whitley, and MOURNING DOVE by Emil Sher. |
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Just like in a staged performance, Dreamcatcher company
members will perform all the roles in the play. Typically, the cast
will be seated in chairs onstage, and they will read their lines
from the script. They might occasionally stand up and move about.
There may also be a narrator, who reads aloud stage directions and describes
scenery or movement as written in the script. There will be no costumes
or sets.