STAGED READINGS 2024-25

Amen Corner

by James Baldwin

amen Corner

Written by James Baldwin

Directed by Liane Williams

SYNOPSIS: The Amen Corner takes place in two settings: a "corner" church in Harlem and the apartment dwelling of Margaret Alexander, the church pastor, and of her son, David, and sister Odessa. After giving a fiery Sunday morning sermon, Margaret is confronted by the unexpected arrival of her long-estranged husband, Luke, who collapses from illness shortly thereafter. Their son, David, along with several elders of the congregation, learn from Luke that, while Margaret had led everyone to believe that he had abandoned her with their son years ago, it was in fact Margaret who had left a dysfunctional Luke and pursued a religious life. This information precipitates confrontations between Margaret and her son, her congregation, and her estranged husband, regarding what they perceive as the hypocritical nature of her religious convictions, and the breakup of her family.

After an important conversation with his dying father, David informs Margaret that he is leaving home to pursue his calling as a jazz musician. On his deathbed, Luke declares to Margaret that he has always loved her, and that she should not have left him. Finally, Margaret’s congregation decides to oust her, based on their perception that she unjustly ruined her own family in the name of religion. Only after losing her son, her husband, and her congregation, does Margaret finally realize that she should not have used religion as an excuse to escape the struggles of life  

Cast List

Pastor Margaret

Marquitta Jackson

Odessa

Stephanie Bell

Sister Moore

Faith Evans

Sister Boxer

Elaine Landrum

Brother boxer

Tyrone Eaves

David

Isaiah Williams

Luke

Ben White

Ida Jackson

Brittney Eubanks

DATE: february 1, 2025 7:30 p.m.

cost: FREE!

PLAY READING SERIES

Since 2011, The Drama Group has offered script-in-hand readings of a variety of plays, expanding the scope of our offerings to Patrons, Subscribers and Members alike.  Offered free-of-charge as true community out-reach, the series has brought to the stage titles we haven't been able to fit into our subscription season.  The wide variety of plays featured have come from World Literature, popular American Drama, New Plays under development and Classics of Readers Theatre.  Building these evenings on a shoestring with minimal rehearsal and production value allows us to focus in on the story.

A staged reading is a rehearsed read-through of a script, performed in front of a seated audience where the actors are not off-book (fully memorized).  Sometimes staged play readings can incorporate some tech elements in a performance, like that of sound or lighting. But as pared-down as stage readings tend to be, there’s a lot more to these events than simply printing out the scripts and inviting actors to read aloud, and the details of preparing a production make all the difference—in fact, a well-executed reading can be just as powerful as a fully mounted production, to the point where the audience may be unaware that scripts are in the hands of actors.

A Staged Play Reading Director does not have to be a Regular (Voting) Drama Group Member; however, the Director must be a General Member having been involved with Drama Group.

If you have interest in directing or participating as an actor, please contact the Reading Series Curator, MaryEllen Fawk to express your experience and interest in mounting a staged reading.

Process:

1. Choose an appropriate piece you think would be of interest to our south suburban community.

2. Choose whether you will use certain tech elements in your production.

  • Lighting: Fluorescents aren't very theatrical. Stage lighting is ideal—but pleasant, adequate illumination, bright enough for the actors to easily read their scripts, will more than suffice

  • Audio: determine whether you will need to make use of sound in your play

  • Costuming: this adds to the visual elements of the staged reading, and can usually be done very minimally

3.  Determine a date for the staged reading along with rehearsal time (usually 2-3 times will suffice.)

4. Find a cast 

5. Rehearse with your actors.

Start and end rehearsals as scheduled. If any of your actors are union members, you'll need to consult the Actors’ Equity Association’s Staged Reading Code. There you'll find rules pertaining to rehearsal hours, payment, and so forth

6. Blocking and staging should be planned in advance.

7. Plan an intro and outro for the reading.

  • Often neglected, and crucial to success, your beginning and ending must be planned. You want the audience to get the sense of a coherent, well-organized event, suggesting a coherent, well-organized piece

  • Plan whether the cast is going to be introduced—and if so, when. Plan whether there will be a bow—if so, how many, and who will lead? Plan entrances and exits. After the presentation, will there be time allotted for a Q&A or feedback from the audience?