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MAY “MEET THE ARTIST” SERIES AT DREAMCATCHER

DREAMCATCHER REPERTORY THEATRE, professional Theatre in Residence at the Baird Center in South Orange, presents two free readings of new plays as part of its “Meet the Artist” series in May. This year, the readings will be presented at a special location, at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit. Visitors can enjoy the spring blooms on the beautifully cultivated grounds of the Arboretum before repairing to the Wisner House for the evening play readings.

“Meet the Artist” has been a favorite feature in the Dreamcatcher season since the company’s inception fourteen years ago; this series allows playwrights to hear their work performed by professional actors, and then provides them the opportunity to receive feedback from the audience. After each new play reading, the floor is opened to discussion between the playwright, director, actors and audience to allow the writer to instantly discover which aspects of the play are effective, and which need more attention to be fully realized. It is also an opportunity for Dreamcatcher to hear works under consideration for future production in the coming season.

On Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m., the company will read RAMONA’S DAUGHTER’S KIDNAPPER by New York playwright Stanton Wood. This script was submitted by Dreamcatcher company member David Miceli, who will also be directing. The reading will feature Resident Acting Company members Clark Carmichael, Harry Patrick Christian, Laura Ekstrand and Scott McGowan, and special guests Jenna Kalinowski and Kevin Sebastian. The play tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl whose parents grapple with their loss, and struggle with letting go of the hope that she will return.

On Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m., Dreamcatcher will read three short plays with vastly different themes directed by Artistic Director Laura Ekstrand. First will be VOICES by John Citron, a Chatham playwright. This comic monologue details the struggle of a novelist to complete an overdue commission, burdened by his heightened sensitivity to sound. Next is MOTHERLESS CHILD by Louisiana playwright Peggy Aultman, which traces the mourning of a couple who realize they will never be parents. Last is THE END by Summit playwright Meg Glasser, which recounts the surprisingly comic and ultimately unbearably tragic morning of September 11 in one household. These plays will be performed by Resident Acting Company members Harry Patrick Christian, Noreen Farley, David Miceli and Harriett Trangucci, joined by special guest Jessica O’Hara-Baker.

RAMONA’S DAUGHTER’S KIDNAPPER will be read at Dreamcatcher on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m., and VOICES, MOTHERLESS CHILD and THE END will be read on Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. The performances are at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit. For information on this or any of Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre's programs, please contact Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre at the Baird Center, 5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ 07079, 973-378-7754, ext. 2228, www.DreamcatcherRep.org.

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Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey.