Theatre of Western Springs Presents a 'New Plays Workshop'

Submitted by the Theatre of Western Springs

The Theatre of Western Springs (TWS) Directors’ Workshop program presents its inaugural ‘New Plays Workshop,’ premiering eight brand new, one-act plays in two programs of 4 plays each lasting about 90 minutes per program.

Performances take place from Wednesday, August 19 – Sunday, August 23, 2015, in TWS’s Cattell Theatre, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs.

Audience members will meet playwrights and directors at an opening night, post-show reception after the nightly audience discussions on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20.

Schedule:
Program I

• 8 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, Aug 19 and 21
• 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug 23

Program II -

• 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Aug 20 and 22
• 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug 23

General seating. No tickets required. Donations gratefully accepted.

Edward W. Wavak, head of the educational Director’s Workshop program said, “We were very pleased to find plays that offer such creative insights into our human foibles and emotions – in some very funny and touching circumstances. Between broad and dark comedies and some more serious pieces, there is much for everybody to enjoy in these programs. So, we recommend seeing both!”

Wavak added, “It’s very exciting to mount our first program of all original material which we received from across the country in response to our call for new works last spring. In blind readings, our judges selected three plays written by playwrights outside the Chicago area: Macomb, IL, Missoula, MT, and Milledgeville, GA. all of whom will be joining in each program’s audience discussion. And they chose five plays by TWS playwrights who are members of the TWS Playwrights Group.”

Greg Kolack, program mentor and TWS Artist-in-Residence said, “This is a fascinating, artistic adventure for us to take with our audiences who already know us for undertaking creative challenges and unusual subjects. There is a high level of excitement and attention around making these programs very entertaining and meaningful. And based on the rehearsals I have watched, our actors are responding with great enthusiasm to the concept.”

The Directors’ Workshop, headed by Edward W. Wavak and mentored by Artistin-Residence Greg Kolack, presents four weekend performances a year. The August ‘New Play Workshop’ is the first weekend in its 2015-2016 season.

Some material may be inappropriate for audience members under 13. Parental guidance is recommended. Visit www.bitly.com/tws-dw soon for additional background and information about The New Plays Workshop and The Directors Workshop program.

Program I plays:

• Flotsam, Jetsam, and Bill by Jay Kettering, directed by Edward W. Wavak
• Roommates by Chuck Bona, directed by Cal Turner
• Serendipity by Lynn-Steven Johanson, directed by Linda Roberts
• Wrecking Ball by Therese Harrold, directed by Ed Barrow
• Program II plays:
• Muriel and Abby Find Irving by David Muschell, directed by Daina Giesler
• Partners by Mike Huth, directed by Terry Kozlowski
• There Will Be Oranges by Tim Feeney, directed by Rick Snyder
• Where The Dust Doesn’t Sparkle by Judy DiVita, directed by Cal Turner

Directors:

• Ed Barrow – Hinsdale
• Daina Gielser – Bellwood
• Terry Kozlowski – Chicago
• Linda Roberts – Burr Ridge
• Rick Snyder – Western Springs
• Cal Turner – Naperville
• Edward W. Wavak – Hinsdale

Cast:

• Renata Allelujka – Downers Grove
• David Bremer – Western Springs
• Carol Clark – Hinsdale
• Tristen Collins – Woodridge
• Katerina Creedon – Brookfield
• Tim Feeney – Downers Grove
• Rich Kropp – Glen Ellyn
• Jason McCargo – Western Springs
• Stacey McCargo – Western Springs
• Jennifer Germano-Miller – Indian Head Park
• Arlene Page – Burr Ridge
• Gina Palmer – Lombard
• Tammy White – Lisle
• Mike Williams – Hinsdale
• Kelly Winters - Brookfield

Crew:

• Stage Manager: Maggie Opal – Glen Ellyn
• Lighting Designer: Laura Byrd – Hinsdale
• Sound Designer: Thomas D. Schutt – Westmont

Photo 1: To His Heart by Sean M. Wagner, directed by Daina Giesler. Pictured left to right: Nicole Leatherwood, Jason Blackwell and Peg Callaghan

Photo 2: Virtuoso by Michael-Colin Reed, adapted from a story by Herbert Goldstone, directed by Edward W. Wavak. Pictured left to right: Joe Petrolis and Kristine Schultz.