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 second reading this season will be Union by Jefferson Morris on Tuesday,
February 12 at 8pm.
Directed by: TBD
Read by: TBD
About the play:
Union tells the story of James Coffey, a wounded Confederate
soldier who wakes up in a Union field hospital with no idea how he got
there. As his battlefield memories slowly return, an inexperienced volunteer
Union surgeon struggles to help James while keeping his sanity in the midst
of the carnage of the Civil War.
About the playwright:
Jefferson Morris is an award-winning amateur playwright from the
Northern Virginia area. His work has been featured at the National Theater's
'Monday Night at the National' series, Source Theater in Washington, D.C,
and the Northern Virginia Theater Alliance One-Act festival. When not
writing plays, he fabricates wholly fictional creative resumes for himself.
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.
