Third Night

 Here's the group, playwrights and readers, around a statue of Brutus Buckeye (the OSU mascot) in his mime garb, in the lobby of the Drake Performance and Event Center.  L to R:  in front, sitting or kneeling:  Carolyna Bradford, Therese Nolan, Susan Apker; standing Meg Barker, Linda Evans, Diane Rao Harmon, Mrinalini Kamath, Geralyn Horton (bending down), Jenni Munday (peering under Brutus' upraised arm); on Brutus' left, Joe Cofer, Sarah Worthington, Farzana Moon, and poking his head up behind Farzana, Bill Symons

Susan Apker joined us tonight, having driven from Oklahoma. Unhappily, she had troubles with her flash drive, so wasn't able to share work with us.  We did hear scenes from (and the synopses are mine, not the playwrights' -- so my apologies for misrepresenting work I'm hearing as it develops!):

Diane Rao Harmon:  Rom -- life in a Polish DP camp immediately after WWII; romance with a black marketeer is potentially a problem for one of two women, the only members of their large family to survive the Holocaust
Meg Barker:  TDot Lake; a mysterious explosion causes disjunctions in an otherwise bucolic Canadian National campside

 Linda, Meg, and Diane listen as the first two scenes from Meg's play are read.

Geralyn Horton:  Reviving Susanna:  Another scene from the play Geralyn's developing about an idealistic graduate student passionate to revive the work and reputation of Susanna Centlivre, the second professional female English playwright (heyday ci. 1710)
Mrinalini Kamath:  May I Help You? -- petty rivalries, friendships, and a mysterious new hire in a ticket selling agency
Linda Evans:  Fireballs:  a curmudgeonly man running for local office must cope with a daughter who, having won a major prize in physics, is upstaging him when she returns home.  Then there's the 26-year-old son, who sleeps a lot.
Jenni Munday:  I've Always Liked This Place:  a farce; I was laughing so hard at that I didn't take any notes!

Second Night

Couple of guest performers tonight (thanks, Carolyna Bradford and Therese Nolan!)  Others discouraged by construction and confusing signs.  Hope that's alleviated!  Several interesting pieces tonight by Jenni Munday, Geralyn Horton, Farzana Moon, Diane Rao Harmon, Mrinalini Kamath,and a wild and wooly musical by Linda Evans.  Was so involved in the rich texture of the language and plots and characterizations that I forgot to take photos!

Then we went to eat at Tommy's Pizza, renowned locally, but rather pedestrian in most of our opinions!  But the food filled the empty spaces, since we'd started at 6 to see if an earlier start would mean an earlier finish.  It didn't!

The First Day

The first day of the 2010 ICWP Playwrights' Retreat in the Department of Theatre has ended; playwrights were working all day in the OSU Theatre Computer lab, or elsewhere in the Drake Performance and Event Center; in the evening, we gathered together for readings of works in progress; first, a scene from Farzana Moon's new play about Sufi prophets, set on the deck where the retreat will end with the Central Ohio Corn Roast next Saturday, and also the place for the Walhalla Deck Plays project (see www.walhalladeckplays.blogspot.com for more about that), then scenes from Geralyn Horton's play about rediscovering the early 18th century English female playwright, Susanna Centlivre, which was begun last year at the retreat.  Some images from today:

 

Mrinalini Kamath works away, ignoring the river view

 

Diane Rao smiles for the camera

 

Geralyn Horton contemplates her new web page

 

Linda Evans smiles for the camera

  

Farzana Moon makes a point to Jenni Monday and Meg Barker at the evening reading session

 

Farzana and Jenni listen to the discussion

 

the whole group in mid discussion

First group of playwrights arrived today: Linda Evans, Mirinalini Kamath, Farzana Moon, Diane Rao, and Geralyn Horton. All of us, except Geralyn, whose flight was delayed and who huddled in the registration area during a torrential downpour, had dinner at the Cafe Kabul, a new Afghan restaurant near the campus. Alas, no photos -- forgot camera!

Volunteer Performers Welcome!

Performers are welcomed every evening in the Drake Performance and Event Center, 1849 Cannon Drive, on the OSU campus (between the twin towers, just south of the Ohio Stadium); come to the New Works Lab on the top floor, center of the building, overlooking the Olentangy River, every evening at 7:00 -- we'll be reading whatever the playwrights have produced each day. Performers of all ages, all types welcome -- it's exciting to be on the creation of new work, and the playwrights are enormously grateful to hear the words spoken.

Parking available at the lot between the towers; parking must be paid for -- look for the blue machines. It's reasonable, but the University is charging for parking for all events in Drake. Because of construction, take Cannon Drive south from Woody Hayes Drive -- the entrance from the hospital side is closed, although you can park south of Lincoln Tower and walk to Drake if you prefer.

Questions? Contact Alan Woods at woods.1@osu.edu

Housing Rates

Here are the rates for dorm rooms for the retreat:

Air Conditioned Rooms
All rates are per person per night/week

Full Linen (includes bed linens and towels)
Single: $52.00/$260.00
Double: $26.00/$130.00
Multiple: $21.00/$125.00

Limited Linen (includes bed linens)
Single: $46.00/$225.00
Double: $23.00/$115.00
Multiple: $19.00/$110.00

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

Non Air Conditioned Rooms
All rates are per person per night/week

Full Linen (includes bed linens and towels)
Single: $46.00/ $225.00
Double: $23.00/ $115.00
Multiple: $19.00/ $110.00

Limited Linen (includes bed linens)
Single: $38.00/ $190.00
Double: $19.00/ $95.00
Multiple: $18.00/ $90.00

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


Dining

Meal plans can be set up at any of the following locations: North Commons, Kennedy Commons, Baker Commons, Morrill Commons, The Marketplace, Fresh Express and The PAD (the last is the pizza place in Drake).

Breakfast: $6.50
Lunch: $10.50
Dinner: $11.50
Daily: $28.50

getting ready for 2010

Looking toward a retreat for 2010; after a few inquiries, the following dates look the best, so let's see who can come:

2010 ICWP Retreat for Playwrights
18-25 July 2010

Come for all, or part of the retreat

what retreaters get:
-- access to computer labs at Ohio State
-- daily sessions on solving problems, creating opportunities, improving
-- nightly readings of work, with experienced volunteer actors from Central Ohio troupes, all ages, all types available and eager to participate
-- a staged reading of Donna Spector's Not for the Ferryman, a winner in the most recent Eileen Heckart Drama for Seniors Competition
-- introduction (or re-introduction) to the vibrant theatre scene in Central Ohio
-- the renowned Central Ohio Corn Roast
-- fellowship and comradarie

but most importantly: the chance to focus entirely on the writing!

for more information, contact Alan Woods, the retreat organizer, at woods.1@osu.edu, or 614-292-8232