The ESP/Realm for New Works program returns for a
fourth season of presenting new works in a reader's theater format to aid in the script development process. All audience members are encouraged to participate in a post reading discussion of the play's strengths and weaknesses during a moderated question and answer session with the playwright.
The first reading this season will be Ninja Motorcycle Babes by Lisa Voss on Tuesday, November 6 at 8pm. (Web Link)
Directed by Sally Cusenza
Read by:
Laura Russell
Michael Steele
Gary Lee
Megan Owens
Lee Slivka
Sally Cusenza
About the play:
a 90 minute comedy with a 15 minute intermission
As the curtain goes up, the Ninja Motorcycle Babes have stunned Buzz City by storming studios where commercials for feminine products are being produced and stealing the film. The two black-leather-clad babes use Kung Fu to subdue any resistance as they match wits with the Buzz City Busters, who are in hot pursuit. Can the Babes stay one step ahead of the Busters--and for how long? More importantly, can they stay united as they take on their biggest challenge of all--stopping Buzz City's Marketing Maven in a city hungry for new product information? There's only one way to find out: Don't touch that dial!
About the playwrights:
Lisa Voss's one-act play "Psychodrama," has been accepted for production/produced in New York City by the Theatre-Studio Inc. and Love Creek Productions. Locally, she has participated in the Source Summer Theatre Festival ("The Hen Gets a Flag," 1998) and the ESP/Realm for New Works ("MJ & The Ghost," "Out With the Old," "Shop 'Til You Drop," 2000). She joined the Realm for New Works in 1999. Lisa has an M.A. in Fiction Writing from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland. In addition to her day job as the Editing Department Manager for ESI International, Lisa teaches writing part-time for the University of Maryland University College.
About The ESP/Realm for New Works:
Beginning in late 1997, the Elden Street Players began a series of staged readings
working in cooperation with the Writer's Realm of Northern Virginia. Elden Street is
committed to the development of all aspects of theatre, including the foundation of every
play -- the script. Spearheaded by Emme Fallen and Sally Cusenza, the program was
given a formal calendar and format during the 1998-1999 Season. On the "final
dark Tuesday" of each main stage show during the season, audiences were invited to
attend staged readings of works in development, as well as provide feedback after the
performance directly to the playwright. It has quickly become a very popular evening
of "theatre in progress." As an essential final step in any play, it is
important for a playwright to hear the honest reaction of an audience to his or her work.
Please come and be a part of the development process. If you would like to be
involved in the program either as a writer, director, performer or in the administration
and promotion of the program, please leave a message for Emme Fallen on the Elden Street
reservation system (703) 481-5930 or join our Mailing Lists
to receive notices of upcoming productions.
The ESP/Realm for New Works program is partially supported by a grant
from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
