PRESS > PRESS > PRESS.....short plays marathon / editorial
The Standard-Times on October 12, 2002.
'Playwrights are dreamers bound to an ancient calling' Arthur Miller once said that in order for playwrights to get their work produced, they should write good scripts which good directors will want to direct and which contain good roles that good actors will want to perform. For those of us who have made this strange choice of writing for the stage, the advice is both direct and daunting. Once we have endured the lonely, agonizing task of writing a piece we have the audacity to believe is "good," we must search for collaborators. From these collaborators we must hope there will emerge a champion. And we must hope this champion will help us find an audience. Sensible people choose other means of expressing themselves. Playwrights, on the other hand, are dreamers bound to an ancient calling. Theirs is the dream of telling stories through players before their community. It's a dream that recognizes the magic of live performance. In these days of video, cable TV and computerized special effects, however, that dream can use all the encouragement it can find. That's why the event on a recent Saturday at the Unitarian Church in New Bedford was so important to local playwrights. On September 28, Culture Park combined with the Snark Arts Collaborative to sponsor a marathon of readings of short plays by area writers. It was a special day, perhaps even memorable. Twelve plays by ten different writers were given staged readings. Some 19 actors in various combinations read their assigned roles under the guidance of a half dozen directors. The ample audience contributed warm applause. It is perhaps too early to tell whether there is a distinctive "New Bedford voice" for American theatre. However, the event certainly proved there is an abundance of imagination and passion among area writers for the stage. Some works were light. Others were dark and reflective. Some spoke of local particulars, others of worldly universals. All were fascinating. Playwrights treasure these occasions. The opportunity to see and hear one's words on the stage is invaluable to the development of a solid, playable script. So, too, is the chance for feedback from directors, actors and audience. It is occasions like this one that give heart to those of us attempting to follow Mr. Miller's advice. I am but one of the writers who participated in the marathon. But I'm sure I am not alone in wanting to acknowledge my debt of gratitude to Patty Thomas and Rebecca Schade of Culture Park and to Ann Marie Lopes and Richard Pacheco of Snark. These are people of vision who combined to create an opportunity for new theatrical voices to be heard. Right here in little ol' New Bedford. From their generous spirit good things will come. Just wait and see. RAY VEARY Ray Veary is a playwright and an assistant district attorney.
