STAGED READINGS 2023-24

Checkmate & A Secret’s Worth

Written by Tyler McMahon

Directed by Tyler McMahon

CHECKMATE SYNOPSIS: A young man wins the chance to meet and play a friendly game of Chess against a grandmaster. But the game slowly turns into a real game of cat and mouse as the young man reveals he knows more about the grandmaster than he should. Secrets are uncovered and a dark past revealed.

Cast

Benji - Thomas Erhardt

Graham - Jeff Peterson

A SECRET’S WORTH SYNOPSIS: During a school shooting 6 students and a social worker are held hostage and confronted about their pasts. Atrocious crimes and behaviors are revealed as the hostages argue about who is the worst and who should be the shooter’s next target.

Cast

Dev - Xavier Barham

Craig - Dan Blewitt

Owen - Ethan Sheely

Matt - Kevin Soto

Nate - Anthony Duckett

Lucy - Amelia Chavez

Abby - Angel Mirkov

Sophie - Evvy Kikkert

DATE:

October 21, 2023

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?