Colorado New Play Summit Part I

06 Feb Colorado New Play Summit Part I

[click “Play” to hear Tracy speaking with Bruce K Sevy]

by Tracy Shaffer

It’s that time of year again! Writers and artists, actors, directors, agents and theatre buffs from around the country will descend on Denver next week for the Colorado New Play Summit. Denver Center Theatre hosts it’s sixth annual playwright lovefest, February 10-12, with staged readings of new works by commissioned playwrights and scripts submitted for inclusion. This year marks the return of two “rock star” writers, Octavio Solis and Michele Lowe, along with Lisa Loomer, Samuel D Hunter, Lloyd Suh and a commissioned piece by Denver’s award-winning Buntport Theatre. The white hot Octavio Solis, who brought us the glorious “Lydia” in 2008, brings the much anticipated script, Cecilia Marie, to town for a staged reading and the equally scorching Michelle Lowe has her “Map of Heaven” on the Denver Center boards for its world premiere production. Ms. Lowe won the 2010 Francesca Primus Prize for her previous Denver debut, 2009’s Inana.

What makes this Playwright Summit different is Denver Center Theatre Company’s commitment to producing new works. There are many opportunities around the country for a writer to hear her script read in front of an audience, but the stakes are raised a mile high as Artistic Director, Kent Thompson, Associate Artistic Director/Director of New Play Development, Bruce K Sevy and Dramaturg, Douglas Langworthy will use these readings to fill open slots for the 2011-2012 season. The vibe of this whirlwind festival is electric, abuzz with readings, receptions, communal meals, and the ever-popular Playwright’s Slam, a late night offering where commissioned writers read from their work.All staged readings are free and open to the public, but they go quickly and reservations are a must. On Saturday afternoon DCTC presents Theatre in HD, a panel discussion musing on technology’s place in the theatre.

Listen as Associate Artistic Director, Bruce K Sevy tells us what he finds exciting about the Summit and why new works for the theater are vital.

This year I’m excited to be joining the cast of Lisa Loomer’s Two Things You Don’t Talk About At Dinner, directed by Wendy Goldberg, Artistic Director of the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. Let the Lovefest begin!