IN THE NEWS: “Unlike those with bigger budgets, smaller theatres
typically don’t have the funding or expertise to put together
page-to-stage programs and instead rely on existing works for their
seasonal programming. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t be
involved in the development of new plays.

“In 2000, the Bradford Little Theatre in Bradford, Pa., launched
a playwright-in-residence program that has helped visiting writers
improve their scripts while providing the theatre with
opportunities for audience development and educational
outreach.”

We’re quoting from an article in “The Pulse” magazine where BLT
was featured as part of an overall story promoting original
plays.

Continuing, “Chris Mackowski, an associate professor of
journalism at St. Bonaventure College and president of the Bradford
Little Theatre, came up with the idea while networking with fellow
playwrights whom he knew from graduate school at Goddard College in
Plainfield, Vt.”

“After getting approval from the rest of the theatre board,
Mackowski chose a college buddy, R.G. Rader, to be the first
playwright-in-residence. Rader had a one-act script that Mackowski
describes ‘as done as it could be without having gone in front of
an audience yet.’

“Rader agreed to a two-day residency in Bradford that included
an interview with the community newspaper, an appearance on a talk
radio show, a reading at the local high school, attendance of the
reading’s dress rehearsal and a staged reading at the local
library, which drew a full house.

“The reading, performed by four Bradford actors hand-picked by
Mackowski, lasted about 40 minutes and generated about 90 minutes
of discussion. Rader enjoyed getting the feedback. ‘It gave him a
lot of advice to sift through,’ Mackowski says, ‘and allowed him to
find out what resonated with the audience.’

“Encouraged by the success of Rader’s visit, Mackowski has
reprised the playwright-in-residence program each year since. He
credits the program with exposing students and other members of the
community to the theatre and providing playwrights with helpful
feedback on a work-in-progress.

“Mackowski has been able to secure state grants to help defray
the costs of the program, which include the playwright’s expenses
for travel, lodging and meals. He says businesses have also helped
to underwrite the program.”

TODAY’S QUOTE: “If you don’t like the news … go out and make
some of your own,” said Wes “Scoop” Nisker, author, 1994. As
always, our quote today is provided by the Freedom Forum.