Now I'm ready for voices. Time for the 1st Table Read.
No play leaps from the laptop straight to the stage. (This one doesn't even have a stage to leap to.) A script will go through many readers and many drafts before it is even ready to begin a full rehearsal process. Part of the growth of a play comes from one or more Table Reads, evenings where I sit in a room of actors who read the fledgling play aloud and give its characters voice and life. This helps me make sure the dialogue seems at least speak-able, that the characters and the plot make sense, and gives me a general idea of running time (how long the staged version would be).
Sometime in early January, after the traditional mania of the holidays is behind us, I'd like to have a few folks over to the house, break out some snacks, and read There's Still Snow on Silver Star. What I ask of the actors is twofold: 1) read the script beforehand, to get a sense of the characters and where the story's going, and 2) be willing to discuss the play a bit after the reading. Specifically, I'm looking for feedback on whether the story made sense to you, did your character's actions seem plausible (or did they come out of left field), were the words easy to let roll off the tongue or did they seem stilted, and other things. I promise to nod, take copious notes, and not get defensive or try to explain away any of the piece's shortcomings.
Interested?
Here's who I need in terms of cast (ages for the actor are flexible at this stage of the process):
ESSIE, female, late 20s. Oldest daughter of a pioneer of Yacolt, who has suffered tragedy and is back home with her father. A pragmatist who no longer hopes to love.
HIRAM, Essie’s father, male, 50s. One of the original settlers in Yacolt, and has become increasingly curmudgeonly.
KIT, female, 20s. Essie's best friend and confidante, dealing with marriage problems of her own.
JAMIE, male, late 20 to mid 30s. An Irish real estate speculator, lately come to town. Irish accent encouraged.
Please contact me at fightplot@gmail.com or through social media if interested,
and we'll start hammering out some potential dates!