Southern Writers' Project

Tell us what you think!

Sara Beth — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:33:12 +0000

The Southern Writers’ Project gives our playwrights a chance to further develop their stories by working with actors, directors, dramaturges and most importantly, an audience. Since you, our audience, play such an important role in the weekend, we would like to hear what you have to say about the SWP experience.

Follow this link to fill out the survey!

Your thoughts and ideas about SWP are important to us! Thank you for taking the time to share your responses with us. We will use all the feedback we receive to make the 2011 SWP Festival of New Plays Weekend the best yet!

Music Jam! [Video]

John Tracy — Sun, 16 May 2010 12:28:41 +0000

Welcome to The Southern Writers’ Project 2010

John Tracy — Sun, 16 May 2010 03:15:11 +0000

The 2010 Southern Writers’ Project began with a behind the scenes tour of the theatre, and guests gathering in the hospitality suite to talk about the upcoming readings, shows, and events.

The first reading was Robert Ford’s Look Away. The story is set in 1930s rural Arkansas. It begins by introducing two black boys, Matty (read by Alan Tyson) and Alonzo (read by Bryan Terrell Clark) who are seeking refuge at the Wilson plantation where Alonzo grew up, in the hopes of persuading Roy Wilson (read by Rodney Clark) to defend them after being accused of raping two white girls.

Workshop of "Look Away" in the days before the reading

From Left to Right: Rodney Clark, Shelly Gaza, Jordan Coughtry, Bryan Terrell Clark, Alan Tyson

Nobody

John Tracy — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:16:25 +0000

The Southern Writers’ Project festival of new plays came to an end this morning with the highly charged reading of Richard Aellen’s Nobody. This reading follows the life of Bert Williams and George Walker, early African-American actors making their way to Broadway.

Tim Rhoze and Laiona Michelle in "Nobody"

The house was full this morning to see this energetic reading with a mix of music and acts. Emotions ran high with the reading, touching people with the reminder of a time when blackface was used on stage. Blackface and its use haunt Bert Williams, but also give him a beginning in theatre, it is a choice with many hard consequences.

The discussion following the reading was heavy, and filled with emotion. We had to stop the discussion in the theatre, but I hope you will help us continue the conversation with your comments below.

Breakfast with the Playwrights

John Tracy — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:02:18 +0000

This morning’s breakfast with the playwrights was a tremendous success. It was an interesting mix of directors, dramaturgs, actors, and of course playwrights mingling with us, sharing their insight and wisdom in the process of creating a play.

Part of this morning’s even was a Q & A with the playwrights about how certain aspects of the art work. One of the questions I found the most interesting was at what point does the writer know the characters and their place in the play? For each playwright there was a different answer, but I found that to be the most fun because with each playwright is also a completely different personality that inevitably lends itself to their plays.

Thanks to all who came out this morning to join us for breakfast and a chat. Please leave us your comments about this morning’s event, let us know if there was anything we can make better, but also any points that you particularly enjoyed.

The Flag Maker of Market Street

John Tracy — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:26:18 +0000

The Flag Maker of Market Street by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder took place today. The story follows Mr. George Cowles, a Montgomery store owner that supplies the Confederacy. In the silence of the night, however, he holds secret Unionist meetings is the back room of the store.

Mr. Cowles is tasked with creating the first Confederate flag which he assigns to his slave, while also risking to expose his double life as a Unionist.

Dennis McLernon and Libya Pugh in "The Flag Maker of Market Street"

The risk of exposing his double life only increases with the well-to-do southern women and their pride in the confederacy. Another hit by the award-winning author of Gee’s Bend and The Furniture of Home

Civil War Tour

John Tracy — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:19:04 +0000

Mary Ann Neeley was gracious enough to present a tour through Downtown Montgomery, Al about the Civil War and some of the events that shaped our area during that time. It was especially noteworthy today since both of the readings today took place in Montgomery during the time of the south’s succession from the United States.

Geoffrey Sherman boarding the bus for the tour

Among the places we toured was the riverfront and its importance to Montgomery at that time. Cotton was the major trade of the day and Mary Ann Neeley told us about the great fire the confederates set to over a billion dollars worth of cotton we had stored in Montgomery, just to prevent the union from acquiring it.

We walked from the riverfront to Court Square, the former location of the Exchange Hotel, a central location in both history and our readings today. Immediately following, we walked up Dexter Avenue to the capitol on Goat Hill.

Mary Ann Neeley giving the Civil War Tour

The tour gave such important information, not only for the history of our area and the country, but also information that let the finer nuances of the play bring light to the plot. Seeing and learning about places right here in the capitol and then seeing them used in a play was something that made the experience all the better.

I hope all of those who were on the tour enjoyed it, and encourage you to leave comments about particular highlights you experienced.

A Panoramic View

John Tracy — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:02:41 +0000

The reading of A Panoramic View by Jeffry Chastang took place today. It is a story of Dr. Baldwin whose moderate views clash with those of his friend Mr. Yancey and even his own son about the secession of the south from the United States. The story gives the audience a glimpse into the inner dialogue of a man who lives in the south but does not hold their beliefs.

Jeffry Chastang presents us with a story that questions the very foundation of our region at the time of secession leading to a decision that changes everything.

Nathan M. Hosner and Jeffrey de Picciotto in "A Panoramic View"

SWP Reception

John Tracy — Sat, 16 May 2009 04:28:50 +0000

The first day of The Southern Writers’ Project is now finished, but not before getting everybody together for some hors de’oeuvres and conversation.

Glenn Turner having a few hors de'oeuvres after the reading

Patrons got to meet the actors from the reading as well as some of the writers of the weekend. I hope everyone had a great night at the reading and reception and look forward to seeing you all at the readings tomorrow night.

Don’t forget the day starts early tomorrow morning. Be sure to get there in time to see some of the YSWP readings before the first reading tomorrow. The morning begins at 8:30.

The Nacirema Society…

John Tracy — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:59:06 +0000

The first reading of The Southern Writers’ Project has just finished! Given the audience feedback afterwards I would venture to say it is an instant hit! The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years is a humorous tale of two well-to-do families coming together for the centennial celebration a cotillion called The Nacirema Society. During the week leading up to the celebration a twisted tale of lies, deception, love and money mingle together until all are forced to admit the truth despite their proper upbringing.

An enjoyable reading and one, if given the chance to see in production, is highly recommended to everyone to see.

Aurelia Clunie and Bryan Terrell Clark in "The Nacierema Society..."

Ginneh Thomas, Aurelia Clunie, Maura Gale, Casaundra Freeman, Linda Boston, Andrea Frye, Bryan Terrell Clark, and Margo Moorer in "The Nacirema Society..."