@dramatistsguild

@LaurieFlanigan

I recently sat down with Erin Denman, one of the co-artistic directors of TEASE—The Easy Access Script Experience, to learn more about TEASE’s creative approach to connecting local playwrights to directors and producers in the Twin Cities. Now in its second year, TEASE offers local artistic directors the opportunity to sample “teasers” of new work (five- to eight-minute cuttings of full-length scripts, fully staged), providing Twin Cities playwrights the opportunity to “audition” for directors and producers who are seeking new voices. Erin explained that one of their goals is to support artists who are not necessarily represented on bigger stages in town. This year’s crop of TEASE playwrights includes some artists who have been previously produced as well as brand-new voices. Over 30 artists (playwrights, directors, actors, technicians, and musicians) will participate in this one-night event, which will take place on June 29 at Nimbus, including DG members Matthew Everett and Nathan Schilz. Last year’s sold-out performance generated a full production for participating playwright Sam Graber. (His play Modern Prophet will be presented at Mission Theatre Company this fall. Incidentally, this play was not the piece he presented in TEASE 2012, but his work in the showcase led to the production.) This year, two local theatres (Theatre Pro Rata and Freshwater Theatre Company) have committed to presenting a full reading of two plays to be selected from teasers in the 2013 showcase.

I first heard of this creative approach at a recent meeting of Made in Minnesota, a forum created by Leah Cooper of the Minnesota Theater Alliance and Jeremy Cohen of the Playwrights’ Center, where it was offered as an example of an out-of-the box approach to cross-pollination in our local theatre community. And while the TEASE showcase is relatively new in its second year, it has already generated some buzz as a great example of a way in which the Twin Cities theatre community supports local playwrights and is working to increase connectivity within our local theatrical ecosystem. The Made in Minnesota forums are also designed to increase connectivity—in Leah’s words, giving playwrights, artistic directors, and producers “the opportunity to discover what they can do collaboratively that none of them can do alone, and what actions they have passion to invest leadership in so that the implementation of new Alliance programs are community-driven.” A recent forum covered four compelling topics: cooperative development of audiences for new work; script solicitation and review processes; organization partnerships and co-productions; and models of collaboration with writers. Playwrights are encouraged to join the conversation. (Contact leah [at] minnesotatheateralliance.org to get in on the action.)

On another note, while I was in NYC recently for the DG’s regional rep meeting, I dropped into New Dramatists to say hello to Ben Krywosz of St. Paul’s Nautilus Music-Theater. Ben was at New Dramatists leading a Composer-Librettist Studio (his 52nd studio, ten of which have taken place in Minnesota). Ten years ago, I was lucky enough to participate in one—a transformative experience that I will speak to in a future report. In the meantime, watch for announcements of upcoming DG programming in the TC—events are shaping up, and I am excited to get the ball rolling. Please contact me if you have programming requests or ideas.

lflaniganhegge@dramatistsguild.com