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 fourth reading this season will be announced soon.
Directed by: Haley
Read by: See Cast List
About the play: WIRE MONKEYS
Confined to a mental hospital after repeated violent outbursts toward
Little Orphan Annie, Cassandra Myers has become mute-but is she crazy?
Unable to communicate directly with her, Cassandra's doctor enlists her
sister Paula to help determine whether Cassandra is unwilling or unable to
speak. Reluctantly, Paula finds herself drawn into a battle for her
sister's survival, fighting not only Cassandra's madness, but also the
doctor and her own parents. After all, insanity is relative.
About the playwright: LISA VOSS
In August 2002, two of Lisa's one-act plays will be performed as part
of the Venus Theatre Company's "Women Behaving Badly: Suffrage on Stage"
festival. Her recent productions in New York City include "Psychodrama" at
The Theatre-Studio and "MJ & The Ghost" at the Creative Place Theatre.
Lisa's full-length play "Macho Sluts" was part of The Actors' Theatre of
Washington's 2002 Outwords Playwrights' Series, and she has also
participated in The Source Summer Theatre Festival. Since joining the
Realm for New Works in 1997, Lisa has contributed several scripts to the
ESP/Realm Series, including "Ninja Motorcycle Babes" in November 2001.
Lisa has an M.A. in Fiction Writing from Johns Hopkins University and a
B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland.
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.
