WE BEGIN

Almost all of the playwrights are now here, and had a productive day. Readings tonight with a large core of volunteer actors: new work, some revised from previous years, some where writers had blocks. Playwrights here in Columbus:

Kellie Bean
Vicki Cheatwood
Christine Emmert
Debbie Feldman
Geralyn Horton
Mrinalini Kamath
Nicole C. Kearney
Farzana Moon
Mary O'Malley
Anne Pecaro
Diane Rao
Cynthia Wands

The creativity is exhilarating!

Alan

Glitches

Problems with dorm space; we're trying to work it out. Stay tuned!

Update
More on the ICWP Ohio Retreat

The following playwrights have told me they’re planning on attending the August 16-23 retreat in Columbus (if I’ve missed your message, entirely possible in the chaos of the last few weeks, do let me know!):

Kellie Bean
Vicki Cheatwood
Christine Emmert
Catherine Frid
Debbie Feldman
Paddy Gillard-Bentley
Geralyn Horton
Mrinalini Kamath
Nicole C. Kearney
Barbara Macchia
Farzana Moon
Mary O'Malley
Anne Pecaro
Diane Rao
Donna Spector
Chris Shaw Swanson
Cynthia Wands

Writers will have full access to OSU's Department of Theatre computer labs and the University libraries. Volunteer actors will be on hand nightly Mon-Sat, Aug. 17-22, at 7:00 p.m. for cold readings of whatever the writers are creating, meeting in the New Works Lab at the Drake Performance and Event Center.

Workshops and/or information sessions will be held daily at about 4:00 p.m. for writers wanting a break. The following Central Ohio theatre companies/artists will be participating:

Evolution Theatre Company
MadLab Theatre
Katherine Burkman
Available Light Theatre Company
CATCO (Contemporary American Theatre Company; Central Ohio's Equity house)

and Christine Emmert will present a workshop on writing historical drama

Still waiting on responses from several additional folks, so stay tuned

Added Bonus
Available Light Theatre, a boldly experimental group in downtown Columbus, will be in performance during the retreat, and I'm hoping some of their folks will come speak to us. They'll be performing Church, by Young Jean Kim, recently produced at PS122; check them out at http://avltheatre.com/index.php/site/church/

Actors' Summer Theatre, located outdoors in Schiller Park just south of downtown Columbus, will be in performance that week as well; As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, is performed with a combination of actors and life-size puppets as it follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court to find safety and eventually love in the Forest of Arden. Co-directed by John S. Kuhn and Beth Kattelman, As You Like It promises to be a comic favorite with Shakespeare fans.

In addition, classic films will be screened all summer at the lavishly restored Ohio Theatre in downtown Columbus. All screenings start with a short concert on the theatre's Mighty Morton Organ. The schedule for the week of the retreat:

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Aug. 15 7:30 p.m., Aug. 16 2 & 7:30 p.m.


Spellbound (1945) Aug. 19 and 20, 7:30 p.m.


Gold Diggers of 1933 Aug. 21, 7:30 p.m.


Evil Dead II (1987) Aug. 21, 11:00 p.m.


Ben-Hur (1959) Aug. 22 7:30 p.m, Aug. 23 2 & 7:30 p.m.


and they sell popcorn!


And even more distractions! The Festival Latino will be in Columbus on the 15th and 16th, the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival on the 21st and 22nd, and the Ohio Balloon Festival in nearby Marysville on the 11th and 12th. For more information about each, check out the websites:

http://www.in-and-around-columbus.com/festival-latino-in-columbus.html
http://www.allohioballoonfest.com/
http://www.in-and-around-columbus.com/reynoldsburg-tomato-festival.html

2009 Retreat Announced

Announcing the 2009 ICWP Playwrights’ Retreat!

Location:
Department of Theatre
The Ohio State University
Drake Performance and Event Center
1849 Cannon Drive
Columbus, OH 43210

Dates:
August 16-23, 2009

Program:

Columbus performers will gather nightly to do cold readings of works-in-progress by participants at the retreat. There will be late afternoon workshops on writing and performance topics for those who wish to attend. Participants will have full access to computer labs (for free) and copy facilities (pay). There will also be the famed Ohio Sweet Corn Roasts at retreat beginning and end. For past retreats, see http://icwpohioretreat.blogspot.com/

Costs:

The retreat is free. Housing available in dorms across the street from the theatres, at the following rates:

Air-Conditioned Rooms: Non Air-Conditioned Rooms:
All rates are per person per night/week All rates are per person per night/week
Full Linen Service Full Linen Service
(includes bed linens and towels) (includes bed linens and towels)
Single $52.00/$260.00 Single $46.00/$225.00
Double $26.00/$130.00 Double $23.00/$115.00
Multiple $21.00/$125.00 Multiple $19.00/$110.00

Limited Linen Service Limited Linen Service
(includes bed linens) (includes bed linens)
Single $46.00/$225.00 Single $38.00/$190.00
Double $23.00/$115.00 Double $19.00/$95.00
Multiple $19.00/$110.00 Multiple $18.00/$90.00

Student Linen Service Student Linen Service
(no linens or towels) (no linens or towels)
Single $38.00/$190.00 Single $36.00/$185.00
Double $19.00/$95.00 Double $18.00/$90.00
Multiple $18.00/$90.00 Multiple $17.00/$85.00

Contact us for rates at nearby motels.

For further information, contact Alan Woods, woods.1@osu.edu or alan0198@yahoo.com or at

Department of Theatre
The Ohio State University
1089 Drake Union
1849 Cannon Drive
Columbus, OH 43210
614/292-5821

2009 Retreat planning now underway

The summer retreat for members of the International Centre for Women Playwrights will take place in August, 2009; the exact dates will be announced shortly. As in previous years, there will be a daily workshop or informational session in the late afternoon, followed by cold readings of the scripts/scenes/speeches being developed by participants, with community performers who generously donate their time and talents. Housing again will be available in dormitories near to the Drake Performance and Event Center, and its theatres and rehearsal rooms, and meal plans will be available in the cafeterias nearby. And, of course, the retreat will open and close with the eagerly awaited Ohio Sweet Corn Roasts; see photos below from the 2007 retreat, with happy playwrights and sweet corn rampant. Check back for detailed information, which will be posted as soon as it is available. As always, there's no fee for the workshop, other than housing and food costs; academic credit is available for those needing it (and there are fees involved if credit is to be earned, of course). Participants will have access to computer labs and to the University Libraries. And there's much to do in Columbus, now Ohio's largest city (although the metropolitan area's population isn't included -- if it were, Cleveland remains much larger), from a rich theatrical and visual arts scene, to shopping and fine dining (and the vegan restaurant rated as one of the ten best in North America is here, along with the international headquarters of both White Castle and Wendy's hamburger chains). Check out http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/ for some more information about the city. Ohio State University remains the largest single campus in the country, with a very large foreign student population -- which means that within walking distance of the campus are a wide range of dining and shopping options, for those moments when you need a break from writing.