ENSEMBLE IN ACTION - THE BUSY SEASON
It’s a week (and maybe a full month) like this one where being ensemble-based as a company has really proven valuable. There is A LOT going on, a lot of new ventures that require some creative planning, and thankfully we’ve got a model to handle it.
In Rehearsal…
We had our first major physical exploration of psycho-physical acting techniques. The cast of First Snow of Summer crossed the threshold, learned staccato/legato, experimented with Psychological Gestures, and inhabited four major qualities of movement (flowing, flying, molding, and radiating). (You can find posts that go into depth on some of these tools in earlier blog entries.) This day is paradoxically super energizing with all sorts of fresh inspiration and pretty exhausting from moving around the rehearsal room in all sorts of full-bodied expressive ways. This day sets the early foundation for a lot of the work to come during the more regular rehearsal weeks. This group really leapt into action, seizing each new exercise with bold curiosity and a playful physical investment. Each exploration was lead by the directing team of Anne McEvoy and Craig Joseph- an inspired duo. (And a shout out to Abe Adams who is producing this production like an absolute all-star.)
There were a handful of script updates that the cast took down. From just the previous couple of weeks of having the chance to hear the cast read the script out loud and offer some observations and interrogations, Eric Coble made some incisive cuts and adjustments to the text. It’s exciting to be working on a new play and watching it develop with a process in real time. Some may remember an early edition of the play from New Ground Theatre Festival in 2023 read and produced by SOTP presented by CPH. SInce the sold out reading at New Ground, there have been other adjustments made to the script and particularly so in pursuit of representing the neurodiversity of the character Peg with greater verisimilitude. A big thank you and uplift to those who have helped in those pursuits and to Eric and Craig for the continued earnest stewardship of these characters and this story.
Season Planning and Audition Announcement
Next year’s season has been agreed upon and released! These three plays have been at the top of our list for a couple years now, and we are so excited to get to produce them in conversation with each other. The Children by Lucy Kirkwood, Elephant’s Graveyard by George Brant, The Book Club Play by Karen Zacarias. This season has it all - a call to action, high theatricality, invitation for process, diverse ensembles, heartfelt transformations, thought-provoking themes, and laughter ranging from dark and dry to full-blown schtick.
Check out the AUDITIONS tab above to read how to submit. We strongly recommend reading all of the information on the page and following the instructions accordingly so that you make the most efficient use of your energy and can be quickly forwarded to consideration.
A good deal of scheduling, ideation of new spaces for site-specific work, scouting for build locations, establishing our workshop timeline, and a slew of other administrative tasks including some extended planning for the 2026/27 season (Craig is killing it) have already taken place.
Next year’s season will feature new producers, new directors and assistant directors, and new collaborators in all sorts of production positions.
Salon Series Reading
NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH PRESENTS:THE NATIVITY STARRING KEISHA TAYLOR AS THE VIRGIN MARY, a full length play by Olivia Matthews will have its first rehearsal of two, this upcoming Monday, April 21st on Zoom. This reading will be directed by Zyrece Montgomery, produced by Michael Glavan, and read/performed by the talents of Kadijah Wingo, Kyla Burks, Cassandra Miller, Sydney Smith, Greg White, Nnamdi Okpala, and Kegan Sulamoyo.
We’ve extended an invitation to this particular rehearsal to a larger array of supporters, followers, and newcomers to SOTP as part of our Open Rehearsal policy. These open rehearsals allow us to introduce ourselves and share a bit of our process with those who may be interested in seeing it in action. Check the invite below for more information.
We hope you’ll consider joining us for the reading, for our next mainstage, and for our next season of exciting works. We’ve got a full team looking forward to seeing you there.
