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Williamstown Theatre Festival

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Follow the Within The Festival blog for the latest goings-on at WTF '11.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Meet the 2011 Directing Assistants!

We sat down with our Directing Assistant, a part of our Directing Corps (along with the Directing Interns we introduced you to earlier this season). Check out the video and learn more about their role here at the Festival!



Photo of the Day by Clay Barron:


Merrit Wever, Lisa Joyce and Michael Chernus in rehearsal for TOUCH(ED)
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Friday, July 29, 2011

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER Opening Night & Audience Reactions!

Congrats to the cast and crew of SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER on their wonderful opening last night! Check out some pictures from the night!


Richard Easton (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER)


Kevin Hourigan (Cabaret Intern), Jon Bass (Non-Equity Company)


Jeremy Webb (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER), Mia Barron (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER)


Holley Fain (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER)


Jon Patrick Walker (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER), Brooks Ashmanskas (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER)


M. William Panek (Business Management Assistant), Jessica Bowser (Producing & Artistic Assistant), Sonny Russo (Marketing & Development Assistant)


Kristine Nielsen (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER), Nicholas Martin (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER)


Dylan Baker (Fridays@3 - THE BLUE DEEP), Kristine Nielsen (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER), Jon Patrick Walker (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER)


Steve Lawson (Fridays@3 - SISTER CARRIE), Blythe Danner (Fridays@3 - THE BLUE DEEP), Lucy Boyle (Fridays@3 - THE BLUE DEEP)


Jon Patrick Walker (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER), Mike Weiser (Non-Equity Company, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER)

We also talked to our first preview audience to hear what they had to say about the show. Take a look!



SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER will play at the Main Stage through August 7. Tickets can be purchased in person, by calling (413) 597-3400, or online here.
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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Changeover 2011 - THREE HOTELS to SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER opens tonight at the Main Stage, which means it's changeover time here at the blog. Watch our crews take the Main Stage back in time from the late 20th century to the late 18th century!



SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER will play at the Main Stage through August 7. Tickets can be purchased in person, by calling (413) 597-3400, or online here. We hope to see you there!

Photo of the Day by Clay Barron:


Apprentices John Maddaloni, Nicola Martin and Artem Kreimer in THE POWER OF HYPNOTISM by Anton Checkhov and Ivan Shcheglov, directed by DI David Mendizábal for the Directing Intern Showcase on 7/27.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Animals of the Festival!

Today, we decided to do a little something different and focus on some of our furry friends here at the Festival. Meet Tashi (starring as Tashi in A DOLL’S HOUSE), Turner (the lighting department bunny) and Hopper (Cabaret Director Kris Kukul’s dog)!

Meet Tashi

We talked to Barbara Tran, Tashi’s trainer, to learn more about Tashi, as well as Barbara’s business, See Spot Shine LLC.

Can you tell us a little about Tashi?
Tashi is trained with neither force nor intimidation. And it shows in the ring. She competes in APDT Rally Obedience, and she just shines in the ring because she has always had fun learning the behaviors. Within four months of competition, she earned titles in all 3 levels, all with Awards of Excellence. She is now an APDT Rally Champion (ARCH), as well as a Canine Good Citizen (CGC). Her full name with titles is: ARCH Tashi RL1X, RL2, RL3, CGC. In her spare time, she likes to go long-distance trail running and play with her squeaky toys.

Tashi served time -- out of no fault of her own -- in at least two different shelters. She was adopted and returned, and when she came home to us, at age one, had been deprived of both nutrition and education. No one had bothered to teach her any English, not even "Sit." Today, Tashi is a strong proponent of adoption and of positive reinforcement training.

What celebrity does Tashi identify with?
Tashi identifies with Lucille Ball. The ability to inject moments of mirth into our mundane lives is, she believes, the mark of genius.

What is the next leading role Tashi would like to tackle?
Tashi believes that she is well-suited to play the role of Balto, the Siberian Husky who helped transport -- over 1,000 miles -- serum to combat the diphtheria outbreak in Nome. The event is now commemorated by the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Tashi prides herself on her strength and endurance, and her cute curly tail.

Could you explain what you do?
Through my business, See Spot Shine LLC, I offer group classes and private consultations. I started the business largely because I discovered, while looking for classes for my dogs, that the closest force-free training classes in the area are a 40-minute drive away. That doesn't work for most people's schedules, and so, the people in this area sometimes end up going to old-fashioned trainers. Now that there's more research into animal behavior, there's more data that proves that positive reinforcement is not just a feel-good method but actually is more effective and doesn't create behavior problems the way force-based training does. Even the Navy SEALs are now using positive reinforcement. If it works for them ...

Meet Turner

Wilburn Bonnel, Lighting Department Supervisor, talked to us a bit about Turner, a prop rabbit who found a home in the lighting department.

How did you get Turner?
Turner was the understudy for the baby white rabbit role in VILLA AMERICA in 2007. He and his brother, Bennett (who I think went by a different name during his tenure at WTF), were born here in Williamstown, at green river farm, located at five corners. He was named for Kathleen Turner, who was here directing CRIMES OF THE HEART at the time. Bennett had a great 15-performance run, but as far as I know Turner never got to go on stage. They both lived in the prop shop that season, and became very accustomed to being handled, cuddled, and played with, which is why Turner is so uncannily socialized. In fact, apprentices were "requested" by the props dept. several times a week, for bunny-playtime shifts on the lawn (which might have also entailed cage cleaning...).

As we prepared to close down the season that year, it fell to then-props master, Whitney Hale to determine who among the many clamoring candidates would adopt Turner and Bennett. Ultimately, she chose me (for Turner) and then-assoc. production manager Joel Krause (for Bennett). I've been "storing" Turner for the Festival in the off-season ever since!

What are some fun facts about Turner?
He has never bitten a soul; he has never (to our knowledge) encountered a female of his genus -- the closest he gets to romance is with his beloved blue, inflatable ball; he is able to roam free in the environs of the lighting office, much to the alarm of some passer-by; he is ALWAYS happy to be petted, especially behind the ears or on his nose; he has a propensity towards chewing on data and telephone wires, which garnered him the nickname 'Low-Volt.' This being his 5th year, Turner made the Veteran’s list – look for his name in the program.

What is Turner’s favorite play?
Rabbit Hole, Bunny Girl, Hare-Spray, A Bunny Thing Happened...

What is Turner’s ideal “post show” meal?
Absolutely carrots, but he's big into yogurt treats, grapes, and craisins!

Meet Hopper

Kris Kukul, Cabaret Director, answered a few questions for us about his dog Hopper.

How did you get Hopper?
Hopper was my brother's dog, but he moved to London on 2006 and wasn't able to take here. She's MUCH, MUCH happier now.

What is a fun fact about Hopper?
She once auditioned to be a in a certain play at the Williamstown theatre Festival that shall remain nameless. It rhymes with A Ball's House. The competition was incredibly stiff. One other dog auditioned. Hopper didn't get it.


What is her favorite food?
FOOD is her favorite food, really anything at all. I mean, left to her own devices, she eats grass.

Who is Hopper’s favorite musical theatre diva?
Her favorite musical theatre diva is Liza. Not because Hooper watches CABARET over and over again (that's my job), but because she met Liza on the street outside of my old apartment on 68th Street. It was early in the morning, somebody had had a late night, magic happened.

If Hopper were a contestant on any reality show, what would it be?
Meerkat Manor. I mean, not really a reality show, but she can't get enough. Seriously.
Otherwise, Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School, for obvious reasons.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A Typical WTF Week - Coffee with Justin Long and the Cabaret

Our second Late-Night Cabaret, hosted once again by Lewis Black, took place this past weekend from July 21-23. Check out pictures from the incredible night!



Steven Weber (THREE HOTELS) performing "Thunderball," the theme song from THUNDERBALL


Jon Patrick Walker (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER) performing "Let's Not Talk About Love" by Cole Porter


Holley Fain (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER) performing "Jesus, Etc." by Wilco


Holley Fain


Holley Fain with the Apprentices


Emily Simoness (A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE/SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER) with the Apprentices performing "Ms. Julie"


Maura Tierney (THREE HOTELS) and Jessica Hecht (A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE) performing "I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl"


Maura Tierney and Jessica Hecht


Brooks Ashmanskas (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER) performing "Love the One You're With"


Brooks Ashmaskas

Jon Bass, a member of our non-equity company, sat down for coffee with Justin Long (ONE SLIGHT HITCH) and Jeanne Phillips (ONE SLIGHT HITCH and a member of our non-equity company) to learn about what their WTF experiences have been like so far. Take a look!

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Monday, July 25, 2011

A Sneak Peek at the Greylock Theatre Project!

Tonight, the Greylock Theatre Project returns with their Teen Ensemble. The teens worked with a mentor to write a play based on Shakespeare's works which they will perform in. Check out a preview!



The Teen Ensemble will perform tonight at 7 PM in the Directing Studio at the '62 Center. Best of all it's free but reservations can be made by calling (413) 597-3400.

Photo of the Day by Clay Barron:


A scene from THE COMEDY OF ERRORS.
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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Catching up with Bekah Brunstetter, playwright extraordinaire

Every year, as part of the exciting Fellowship Program, the emerging Boris Sagal and Bill Foeller Directing Fellows collaborate with writers of their choosing and our company of Non-Equity actors to create a play and a musical piece over the course of 8 weeks. Through this whirlwind process, WTF fosters young voices so their new projects have the opportunity to be produced elsewhere. Last week, you saw a glimpse of the Fellowship Musical After Robert Hutchens, written by Nick Blaemire and directed by Sheryl Kaller. Be on the lookout for the upcoming Fellowship Play When You’re Here by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Portia Krieger. Public showings will be the evenings of August 14 and 15.


Last year, the Fellowship Playwright was Bekah Brunstetter, a talented and bright new voice in the theatre world. At WTF, she wrote House of Home, a play inspired by true tragic events in a small Southern town. After her time as a 2009 Playwright in Residence at ArsNova, her play Be a Good Little Widow ran there this May. It was also a Weissberger Award finalist for 2010. A Long and Happy Life is slated to be produced next year by Naked Angels. The New York Times hit the nail on the head when they said, “She writes fresh, unfussy dialogue and characters who earn their laughs and emotional moments by honest means.” Along with her commissions, Bekah is (rightfully) a busy busy person with myriad projects on the horizon. We decided to check in with her and ask her a few questions about writing, life, and of course, sandwiches. Here’s a quick profile on one of our favorite up and coming writers:


Name: Bekah Brunstetter

Alias: Funstetter

Occupation: Playwright

What’s your motto? Everything in moderation. Technically it’s my Mom’s. It might also be Jackie Kennedy’s.

What was your favorite 90’s boy band? Hanson, duh.

What do you most value in your friends? Good listeners, people who don’t take things TOO seriously.

What is your most marked characteristic? I am constantly and nervously twirling my hair.

What is your favorite part of being a writer? I love that even when I can’t literally be writing I can always be writing. IN MY MIND.

What is your process of creating new work? It’s kind of a like vomiting. Gross! But really. It just sort of all comes out. And then later, with the help of others, I fix it.

What was your experience like working on House of Home last year? It was fantastic. It was SUPER collaborative, made me happy, drove me insane. I was allowed to follow all of my impulses without really worrying too much about the end product. It was very freeing!

What is your favorite memory from Williamstown? The first night I got there, Kerry [Whigham, director of House of Home] and I went to see the Non-Eq’s do their monologues. I sat in the back and watched 4 actors that I’d never even met do monologues from my shows. I FELT FANCY AND SPECIAL!

If you had a sandwich named after you, what would be on the “Bekah Brunstetter”? I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS! SO MUCH! Fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, pesto, and ranch on a toasted wheat roll. BOOM.

What’s coming up next for you? I’m working on 2 new commissions, feeling lucky as heck to have a fellowship from The Lark [Play Development Center] where I’ll be developing new work for the next year, and for the first time, TEACHING! Working with kids at this amazing place Writopia, and teaching adults at Primary Stages.



If you’re curious about anything else Bekah Brunstetter-related, visit her website www.bekahbrunstetter.com. And read and see her plays! Also, her blog is some good reading. Just saying.

AND don’t forget to check out the Fellowship Play in August, When You’re Here written by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Portia Krieger! Reserve seats ahead of time to be sure to see this new work!


-Anne Joy

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Saturday, July 23, 2011

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER Preview!

On Wednesday July 27, our second Main Stage show, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER begins performances. Featuring a cast of Williamstown alums like Brooks Ashmanskas, Kristine Nielsen, and Mia Barron and directed by WTF favorite and former Artistic Director Nicholas Martin, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER is sure to be a riot. We talked to Nicky himself in this preview for the show. Check it out!



SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER will play at the Main Stage from July 27-August 7. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by calling (413) 597-3400, or online here. We can't wait to see you there!

Photo of the day by Clay Barron:


Company members watch a reading of UNTITLED CAMP PLAY written by Thomas Higgins and directed by Workshop Director Laura Savia.

Pictured LtoR- Jeanna Phillips, Chris Bannow, Gabe King
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Friday, July 22, 2011

A DOLL'S HOUSE Audience Reactions

We were at the first preview of A DOLL'S HOUSE to see what audiences thought of the show. Hear what they have to say!



Take a look at some photos from the show!


Josh Hamilton, Lily Rabe


Adam Rothenberg


Matthew Maher, Lily Rabe, Josh Hamilton


Lily Taylor


Matthew Maher, Lily Rabe

Congrats to the cast and crew on a fantastic opening last night! A DOLL'S HOUSE runs until July 31 on the Nikos Stage. Tickets can be purchased at the box office in person, by calling (413) 597-3400, or online here. We hope to see you there!

All photos by T. Charles Erickson
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Thursday, July 21, 2011

From ONE SLIGHT HITCH to A DOLL'S HOUSE to SIT DOWN?

Once again, it's changeover time here at the Festival. Watch as our crew transformed the Nikos Stage from the Coleman's living room in ONE SLIGHT HITCH to the Helmer's living room in A DOLL'S HOUSE, running on the Nikos Stage from July 20-31.



The Civilians, a New York based theater company, creates original work derived from investigations into the world beyond theater. The world premiere of YOU BETTER SIT DOWN: TALES FROM MY PARENTS' DIVORCE runs at WTF August 16-21. The show is crafted from interviews the cast conducted with their own parents. Check out a webisode The Civilians created in partnership with WNYC.



A core group of apprentices is conducting their own investigation in partnership with The Civilians. Stay tuned! Their posts will be coming next week. You will even have a chance to contribute to the project.

Photo of the Day by Clay Barron:


Peter Albrink & Matt Neurnberger in the Fellowship Musical AFTER ROBERT HUTCHENS, book, music & lyrics by Nick Blaemire, directed by Sheryl Kaller, musical direction by Jesse Vargas
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

WTF at the WAMC Roundtable

Last Friday, WAMC held their weekly Roundtable Broadcast here at WTF (if you missed it, you can listen here at the WAMC website). Hosted by Joe Donahue, host of The Roundtable, Sarah LaDuke, producer of The Roundtable, and Alan Chartock, President and CEO of WAMC, the broadcast included ten panels, with speakers including: Jenny Gersten (Artistic Director), Steven Weber (THREE HOTELS), Lewis Black, Joe Grifasi, Justin Long (ONE SLIGHT HITCH), Nicholas Martin, Kristine Neilsen, Brooks Ashmanskas (SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER), Stephen Sanders (Literary Associate), Lucy Boyle (playwright, THE BLUE DEEP), Andrew Layton (Scenic Design Department Supervisor), Jeremiah Thies (Production Manager), Gaby Hornig, Katherine Kerrick (Apprentice Copmany), Johanna McKeon, Jon Bass, Gabriel King (THE COMEDY OF ERRORS), Bess Wohl and Trip Cullman (TOUCH(ED)). We talked to Alexandra Rubin, Publicity Manager, to learn more about the Roundtable and how it was put together. Check it out and take a look at some pictures from the event.





Sarah LaDuke, Alan Chartock and Joe Donahue with Apprentices Gaby Hornig and Katherine Kerrick


Steven Weber, Sarah LaDuke, Alan Chartock, Joe Donahue


Lewis Black


Joe Grifasi and Justin Long


All photos by Clay Barron.
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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

WTF IS GOING ON?! An Evening of Stand-Up with Lewis Black

Last night, Lewis Black performed WTF IS GOING ON?!, a one-night-only benefit of his stand-up, to support WTF's education and professional development programs. Check out some pictures of the show and hear what the audience had to say!






All photos by Clay Barron
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Monday, July 18, 2011

Kid's Play in A DOLL'S HOUSE

In A DOLL'S HOUSE, two children are needed to play Nora and Torvald Helmer's children Ivan and Emmy. Continuing Williamstown Theatre Festival's connection with the surrounding community, two local children, Rose & Sol, were cast as Emmy and Ivan. We talked to Rose & Sol themselves, as well as Knud Adams, Assistant Director, to learn a bit more about what this process has been like.

Meet Rose & Sol

Why do you like to act
Rose: Acting is fun and I like playing Emmy.
Sol: I get to meet a lot of new people and acting is fun.

What other activities do you like to do?
Rose: I like to play the magnet game and drawing and playing on my iPad. I like to do fun stuff like monopoly, twin cities, and cards.
Sol: I like baseball, playing board games, having my friends over, playing with legos and reading.


What is your favorite part about working with Knud?
Rose: He is nice and kind and helpful.
Sol: He is helpful, nice and he knows a lot about acting.

Are you excited about being in A DOLL'S HOUSE?
Rose: It is very fun and I like the costumes.
Sol: It is very fun and I like working with the people.

Rose and Sol's parents, Richard and Sharon, added, "We are impressed with the sensitivity of the people involved in the production. There is a genuine effort to help the children on and off stage. The children come home each day and say, 'I am glad I am doing this, I really like it.'"

Some questions for Knud Adams, Assistant Director

Can you tell us a little about the two kids and who they are playing in the show?
Sol and Rose are real-life brother and sister playing Ivar and Emmy, the children of Nora and Torvald Helmer. In our production of A DOLL'S HOUSE, they also have a dog named Tashi, played by a dog named Tashi. We’ve tried to make the Helmer’s home as contemporary and realistic as possible. The kids help fill in the family life of the play. Their main job is to be adorable, and they fit the bill admirably.

What is the process of working with children like? How does rehearsing with children differ from any other rehearsals?
There are things you assume most actors will already know, such as the importance of saying their lines in order, sticking to the story, and the ability to work a zipper. However, some skills that take actors years to hone come naturally to kids, like improvising dialogue, committing to make-believe, and being generally interesting to watch onstage. Working with kids can feel more like cheerleading and playtime than rehearsing, and you spend a surprising amount of time crawling on all fours.

What's been your favorite part about working with the children?
Getting to know Sol and Rose has been a blast. They’re intelligent and funny and adventuresome. After working with the kids in a separate rehearsal room, it was great to introduce them to the rest of the cast. The kids made themselves right at home, attaching themselves to Lily Rabe (who plays their mother Nora). They quickly recognized Krogstad, played by Adam Rothenberg. Rose pointed across the room and whispered, “There’s the bad man.”

Are there any fun stories from the rehearsal room?
In one scene, Nora helps the kids remove their snow gear, including hats, boots, coats, and mittens. For a few rehearsals, Rose would cry “Ow!” whenever her mittens were pulled off. I kept asking if the mittens were hurting her, but they weren’t: It was just a character choice.

In order to get Tashi to play with the kids, Sol gamely agreed to have easy cheese sprayed behind his ear for the dog to find. We tried it once, and Sol was soon overcome by dog licks. We cut the moment.

Has working with kids taught you anything?
When directing kids, you have to be very clear and specific. They won’t let you get away with any equivocating. It’s been a great lesson in communication. Also, working on a play as large and as dense as A DOLL'S HOUSE, it’s easy to get lost wresting with big psychological and dramaturgical questions. Having the kids around reminded me that essentially we’re here to play dress up and make-believe.

Could you give your own "kid friendly" synopsis of A DOLL'S HOUSE?
Once upon a time, there was a very pretty mommy named Nora who had a very big secret. One day, a bad man came to her house and threatened to tell her secret to the whole world. Then Nora had to fight to protect her secret, her children, and her husband. (Spoiler alert!) When Nora’s husband found out about her secret, he got very mad. She didn't like that he got mad, so she decided not live with him anymore.

Come see Rose & Sol make their WTF debut! A DOLL'S HOUSE plays on the Nikos Stage from July 20-31. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by calling (414) 597-3400, or online.
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Sunday, July 17, 2011

What's a Weissberger, you ask?

Yesterday, we introduced you to one of our new play programs, the Fridays@3 Reading Series. Today, we wanted to give you a look into one of the other main programs our department oversees: the L. Arnold Weissberger Award.

On June 15th, we arrived at the Festival and immediately began setting up shop in an empty classroom on the Williams College Campus. Mismatched desks were shuffled around, computers were routed, and discarded furniture from Williamstown Theatre Festival productions past (including a formidably flower-patterned arm-chair) was arranged. Although at the end of the day it seemed like we had created a homey blank slate office for our summer’s work to pile up in, our Gmail inbox told a different story: we already had dozens of brand new plays from some of the most exciting, up-and-coming writers around the country waiting to be sorted through for our annual Weissberger Award.

Each year, Williamstown Theatre Festival solicits scripts from the top agents, theater companies, and playwriting programs in the country to bestow the L. Arnold Weissberger Award on the most promising play yet to be slated for production. The award includes a $10,000 grant, an optional publishing, and a reading at WTF the following summer as part of our Fridays@3 reading series. Past recipients have included Julie Cho’s BFE in 2004, which went onto play an off-Broadway summer engagement at Playwrights Horizons in 2005, and Tracey Scott Wilson’s The Good Negro, which went on to be part of the Public Theatre’s inaugural Public LAB series in 2008 before premiering in a full production at the Dallas Theater Center.

Now, a month into the 2011 season, we are nearly done with giving a first read to this year’s batch of 65 plays. The process to select a winner is quite comprehensive. Each script is read at least once, given a full written treatment (synopsis and evaluation) and a rating which will determine if it moves onto the next round. About half the scripts will receive a second read. We continue re-reading scripts and writing up evaluations until we have narrowed the nominated plays down to 4-6 finalists. A panel of theatre professionals then select a winner from the finalist shortlist.

It’s a seemingly daunting task to go from 60 scripts to 4 in the span of two months—thousands of pages are read by this four-person department every summer--but for new play junkies such as ourselves, it’s a dream job! Nominated plays often represent the newest work from the nation’s top writers. Moreover, most of the plays go on to be produced by the country’s most exciting organizations in the coming seasons. For instance, last year’s Weissberger finalists included Sharr White’s The Other Place, which had an extended run at MCC Theatre this past April, Bekah Brunstetter’s Be A Good Little Widow, which was produced by Ars Nova in May, and Jordan Harrison’s Maple and Vine, which premiered at the Actors Theatre of Louisville’s 2011 Humana Festival of New American plays and will be given its Off-Broadway premiere by Playwrights Horizons this fall.

Although this year’s contenders will undoubtedly go on to have stellar productions at similarly great theatres, for now we just have the raw scripts to go off of. As we head into our initial round of second reads, you’ll spot us all over campus trying to find a shady (or better yet, air-conditioned) spot to get our Weissberger read on. Say hello and ask us what we’re reading- it could be the next big thing!


-Eric Shethar

Literary Intern

No need for trust falls when we have a bounty of new scripts to bond over.
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Saturday, July 16, 2011

A look inside our Literary Department & Fridays @ 3!

Every Friday, the Literary Department puts together the Fridays @ 3 series, where actors come together at 10AM to rehearse for a reading of a new play in development that day at 3, all for a recommended donation of $5. We sat with the Literary Department to learn more about Fridays @ 3, and see a bit of what other fun things are going on in their department!



Dramaturgical image research they've provided for shows this season:

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE: New Orleans, 1947. This picture includes several images mentioned in the play. Note the Cemeteries line streetcar on the right; in the background you can see the Loews Theatre and an ad for Jax beer.

THREE HOTELS: "Have" and "Have Not" murals for Durban, South Africa.


ONE SLIGHT HITCH: Interior of Cincinnati Suburban House vs. Interior of East Village Apartment.

A DOLL'S HOUSE: Betty Hennings as Nora in the first production of A DOLL'S HOUSE.

A sample of the dramatury content for A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE


Fridays @3 is held every Friday from now until August 12th in the Paresky Center. The schedule for the remainder of the season includes:

July 22 | WHADDABLOODCLOTT!!! by Katori Hall
July 29 | THE BLUE DEEP by Lucy Boyle
August 5 | CHOIR BOY by Tarrel Alvin McCraney
August 12 | SISTER CARRIE adapted by Steve Lawson

Reservations can be made at the box office in the '62 Center either in person or by calling (413) 597-3400. For more information, click here.

Photo of the Day by Clay Barron:

Members of Berkshire Young Professionals at a Networking Social here at the '62 Center.
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