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Departments of writing and theatre present the FIND Studio Series
By Adrienne Holierhoek
Sanden, left, and Wade
Fourth-year writing and second-year theatre student Andrew Wade often finds himself caught in two different worlds. But the Festival of Innovative and New Drama (FIND) Studio Series is one place where he can bring his two worlds together.
The Studio Series is a collaborative, cross-department event that presents eight new plays written by students in the Department of Writing and directed and performed by students in the Department of Theatre. This works out perfectly for Wade and makes it the ideal venue for his play William Vs. The World.
Started in 2003 by theatre department chair Brian Richmond, the Studio Series emphasizes the importance of the developmental and collaborative process of writing and creating theatre. Plays are submitted by writing students in the fall and juried by Karen Lee-Pickett, a sessional instructor in drama in the department. Each playwright is paired with a director to go through the process of auditioning and casting their play.
Wade’s play was directed by Jane Sanden as part of her fourth-year directing class. The process of the playwright and director working together is unique. “As a director, it’s a rare experience to have the writer present, actually accessible to answer your questions. You can’t ask Chekhov what he meant by a certain line,” says Sanden.
“It’s incredibly useful to see directors and actors work their way through your script, getting to the core of your characters—especially when they find aspects of your characters you didn’t realize they had,” reflects Wade.
For both, it turns rehearsals into practical learning environments. “Every rehearsal teaches the process of editing; listening to where the actors stumble on their lines and where the transitions leave dead air onstage, those are the spots that need revising,” comments Wade.
“The studio plays start in a raw form, and it is very exciting to watch it all come together,” says Sanden.
Featured in the 2008 FIND Studio Series at Phoenix Theatre, February 28 to March 1, were: Cuffed by James R. Stewart directed by Jennifer-Lee Gunson; The Photograph by Susie Primrose directed by Jennifer-Lee Gunson; The Curse of Macbeth by Margaret Dryden directed by Sabrina Miller; Show and Tell by Alison Ross directed by Jackie Bennett; Find Drama by Christopher Kattner directed by Jackie Bennett; Shah Mat by Sam Young directed by Jane Sanden; William Vs. The World by Andrew Wade directed by Jane Sanden; and When I’m Awfully Low by Kathleen Black directed by Sabrina Miller.
Reflecting the focus on the process, the plays are presented as staged readings rather than full productions, with minimal set and costuming, further enhancing the words of these talented young playwrights.
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