When audiences go to the theatre, they are typically used to seeing a finished product. But those finished plays have to come from somewhere. BLT's Playwright-in-Residence program offers local audiences the chance to get an inside glimpse at just where that "somewhere" is by allowing audiences to take part in the play development process.

At a certain point in the playwriting process, a writer can go no further until his/her play is read aloud. After all, plays are meant to be spoken. So it becomes necessary for the writer to hear the words--not just read them on paper--in order to continue work on the script.

It is at that point where BLT invites audiences to take part in that play development process.

Each season, BLT hosts a writer for a two-day residency built around the staged reading of a new play. The play is as close to "finished" as the playwright can get it without having heard it aloud. BLT presents a reheared, public reading, followed by an audience talkback session where the audience and playwright engage in a two-way conversation about the script. The conversation lets audience members learn more about the script development process by being a part of it. They are invited to comment and critique the play (always remaining constructive and/or curious in their comments).

For the playwright, it's a chance to hear the play. It's also a chance to explore people's reactions to the play. The playwright can then take valuable feedback back into the revision process to strengthen the script.

During the playwright's residency, he/she visits with local high school and college students, does media appearances, and sits in on part of the rehearsal process, and attends a special meet-the-author wine-and-cheese reception with BLT patrons. Because of the many different events associated with the residency, BLT is able to serve a wide number of constituencies through the program.

Click on any of the links to find out more about our past Playwrights-in-Residence. You can also click on their show titles to learn more about each production.
 

(In the photo: Playwright Katt Lissard and BLT board member Chris Mackowski participate in a talk-back session with the aduience following the staged reading of Excavation in Season 2000.Photo by Glenn Melvin)

2002-2003 Playwright-in-Residence Bridget Harris

Mother's Day   November 7 ,2003 Bridget Harris speaks to BLT subscriber Dave Newman at the meet-the-author reception.

2002-2003 Playwright-in-Residence Cindy Dlugolecki

A.N.G.E.L.s, Inc.  December 6, 2002 Cindy Dlugolecki talks to a PR class at St. Bonaventure University about her work as a freelance promotional writer.

2001-2002 Writer-in-Residence Carys Evans-Corrales, translator (pictured left, with playwright Luis Arajuo)

Toby & Abigail Sail the High Seas by playwright Luis Arajuo November 30, 2001 Director Chris Mackowski presents Carys Evans-Corrales with a token of BLT's appreciation while cast members Rick Frederick and Dick Marcott look on.

2000-2001 Playwright-in-Residence Randy Rader

Heart-Beat  December 2, 2000 The Wind Behind Us  February 14, 2002 Board President Duane Pletcher (right) presents playwright R.G. Rader with a commemorative plaque following the reading of Heart-Beat.

2000 Playwright-in-Residence Katt Lissard

Excavation  March 10, 2000 Lissard (left) chats with director Chris Mackowski (center) and Excavation cast members Duane Pletcher and Margie Brown at the meet-the-author reception.