“MEET THE ARTIST” SERIES

Readings for 2010

New titles for our 2010 “Meet the Artist” series will be announced in April. Check back then, or join our mailing list and be first to be notified when the readings are announced.

About the Series

Dreamcatcher’s “Meet the Artist” series is a forum that showcases new theatrical works. The series provides audiences an opportunity to experience new shows and participate in discussions with playwrights, directors and actors. The series’s goal is to expose the adult public to the evolution of a theatrical presentation.

The “Meet the Artist” series has been received with enthusiasm and animated discussion, indicating that there is a large potential audience for new plays and interactive programs, and we are excited that we can continue offering new works each season.

History

The first “Meet the Artist” show offered by Dreamcatcher was a new jazz musical, "Experiments", written by playwright Vernon Takeshita and composer Dean Kravitz, and was performed as part of our 1996 summer season. Dreamcatcher also produced two original one-woman shows in the Fall of 1996 at the Baird Cultural Center in South Orange: "Still Standing" and "Baby Love", both works by female writer/performers based on deeply personal experiences in their own lives. In March of 1997 we produced a special offering of "Still Standing" at Ramapo College for Women's History Month.

In 1997 we offered two readings of original works: "Mother's Day", written by emerging playwright Joe Lauinger, and "Whatever Will Be", written by Dreamcatcher co-founder Laura Ekstrand. During the summer of '98 we presented Steve Harper's "Confessions of a Non-Famous Actor" and Rose Caruso's "Tales of an Urban Burb". In 1999, we read Michael T. Folie's "Naked by the River" and Gordon Dahlquist's "The Secret Machine. In 2001-2002, we held readings of "Full Bloom", by Suzanne Bradbeer, "Girl's Room", by Joni Fritz, and "Brink of Life", a new musical by Laura Ekstrand, Oliver Lake and Steve Harper.

“Meet the Artist” 2003-2004 included readings of "Group S.O.S." by Bonnie C. Bedford and "So, Tell Me!" by Melissa Jane Martin. In the 2004-2005 season, WALTER AND PEG by John Watts and FOOL CIRCLE by Sheldon Senek received readings and discussions in the “Meet the Artist” series. In May 2006 the “Meet the Artist” series included THE ROOF by Suzanne Bradbeer and THE LAUNDRY CHANNEL by Steve Harper. The 2007 series showcased GOATWOMAN OF MEMPHIS by Christine Whitley, and MOURNING DOVE by Emil Sher.

In 2008 Dreamcatcher read Suzanne Bradbeer's DAVE MATTHEWS IS A GOOD MAN, which was later produced on our mainstage under the new title, YOU MISS THEM WHEN THEY'RE NOT AROUND. We also read Dreamcatcher ensemble actor Clark Carmichael's VARIATIONS ON A DREAM.

The 2009 series featured RAMONA’S KIDNAPPER’S DAUGHTER by New York playwright Stanton Wood, and a second evening of one-act plays:  VOICES by Chatham playwright Jon Citron, MOTHERLESS CHILD by Louisiana playwright Peggy Aultman, and THE END by Summit playwright Meg Glasser.

In the fall of 2009, Dreamcatcher participated in a simultaneous world premiere reading of THE LARAMIE PROJECT EPILOGUE: TEN YEARS LATER, a collaboration with the Summit Playhouse.