Arts & Entertainment
SPQR Stage Company To Host New Works Weekend In Somers Point
The event offers playwrights a unique opportunity to present their works to live audiences for the first time.
SOMERS POINT, NJ – SPQR Stage Company will host a two-day "New Works Weekend" featuring 10 original short plays. The plays will make their world premieres at Studio;Space in Somers Point on Feb. 21 and 22. An option to livestream the Feb. 21 performance will also be available.
This festival provides an opportunity for both novice and professional playwrights to have their works shown to live audiences for the first time. SPQR Artistic Director and award-winning playwright Bill Sterritt will host the event. The plays are performed as staged readings by local actors Justine Harrison, John Alvarez and Chikita Wallace.
"Displaying new work in front of a live audience is unbelievingly important to the playwriting process," Sterritt said.
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He added that it is an essential part of story development.
"It allows them to better shape the storyline," he said.
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Sterritt also noted that the immediate response from a live audience helps playwrights understand what aspects of their work are effective.
Writers from across the country submitted works for consideration in the festival. Chosen playwrights include those from locales outside New Jersey, as well as local talents from Ventnor, Ocean City, Linwood, Mays Landing and Cape May. Each play is approximately 10 minutes long.
The 10 plays include "A Small Actor" by F.J. Hartland, "Guardian Angel Blues" by Dave Doster, and "Mr. Bunny" by Hugh McKay, "A Pointless Jester" by Rand Hughes, "Balloon Release" by Keith Whalen, "Lucky Numbers" by Sam Sardina of Mays Landing. "Hola Papi" by James O’Hara of Cape May Court House, "Diagonals" by James Landau of Linwood, "Don’t Get Up" by Tom Chin of Ocean City, and "Anticipation" by Heidi Mae of Ventnor.
Performances are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, and Sunday, Feb. 22. Studio;Space is located at 112 Woodland Ave., Somers Point. Tickets are $20 cash at the door. The Saturday performance will also be livestreamed for $20. More information is available at studiospacespnj.com.
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