Carlee WrightAlthough stages may be dark, Theatre 33 isn’t letting that deter their programming. The local new play development company that helps Oregon and Northwest playwrights evolve their scripts continues on a virtual level.
“During COVID, we have been working entirely online with our playwrights, dramaturgs and the actors,” Artistic Director Susan Coromel said. “This summer, we are turning our focus to development only, and the collaborations have been fruitful.”
In the past, Theatre 33 staged a live run-through of each play at Willamette University with an audience to give feedback. Now, although not in person, the company continues to host a live virtual run-through using Zoom and an audience is welcome.
“…we are committed to our audience and want to be sure the viewing experience is positive. The unique challenge of working on Zoom is that the viewer controls somewhat their viewing conditions. As the audience signs on to Zoom, they are placed in a waiting room, which we call the virtual lobby. When everyone is signed in, we ‘admit’ everyone and do a Zoom tutorial to view the performance. Audiences have been open to this platform and contribute via the ‘chat’ function to give us feedback. The talkbacks have been fruitful, and the playwrights have found the process useful,” Susan said.
Theatre 33 has also recently launched a podcast series called “Building Play.”
“It focuses on the work we do at Theatre 33 and features discussions with playwrights, actors, dramaturges and designers,” Susan said. “The title reflects the origin of the word playwright; much like a wheelwright a playwright ‘builds’ the play. The podcast series highlights how we collaborate and contribute to the building of plays.”
A new episode every few weeks, and can be found on the Theatre 33 website or through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcast and Stitcher.
Up Next:
Theatre 33 has two more plays to present this summer.
- Windberry Creek by Rachael Carnes, three generations of women, in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, who grapple with the past and an uncertain future, on July 15 at 7 p.m.
- Tips on Raising my Daughter by Laura Wheatman Hill, a play about birth, death, and the important things in between, on August 5 at 2 p.m.
To RSVP for the performances and to receive a link, email theatre33org@gmail.com.
Theatre 33, in residence at Willamette University, is a nonprofit, new play development company that helps Oregon/NW playwrights develop their new scripts. Learn more at www.theatre33.org.
The Instigator
