Readers’ Theater returns this fall with two re-worked plays in new location

By Lori Hoffman, SL LFP Arts Council

Last winter, our Readers’ Theater program presented four plays and asked for audience feedback. The folks in attendance delivered ideas, comments, and suggestions galore! Now the Shoreline–Lake Forest Park Arts Council has asked two of those playwrights to come back and present the re-worked plays this fall!  Join us for these two FREE productions and take part in the continuing creative process.

What is Readers’ Theater?

Back in 1997, Arts Council Board Member Willy Clark conceived a program “for presentation of new works.”  She wanted to create a place where playwrights could have new material presented to dedicated folks who would then give their feedback directly to the playwrights so that they could make informed changes. This gives the community a chance to have a direct and real role to play in the creation of new theater works and it gives the playwright a direct connection to their market.

The Readers’ Theater has now served as a fantastic resource to bring together actors, readers and playwrights in an entertaining and educational environment for more than a decade. With a focus on presenting new works, this program allows writers to learn about their own work by seeing and hearing it aloud, and provides a wonderful setting in which all participants experience opportunities to develop their craft.

Admission to the Readers’ Theater is always free and the playwright will be available for discussion following the reading. All Readers’ Theater events take place at 7:00pm in North City at the Edge Performance Center, 17517 15th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.

“The Lake House” was last presented in March of this year, and “How to Kill a Cactus” was presented in February during our winter series and after incorporating your feedback the playwrights are re-presenting their works.

“The Lake House” by Elena Hartwell

Monday, September 23: 7pm, Edge Performance Center, 17517 15th Ave NE, Shoreline

 “The Lake House” is a family drama that centers around two adult sisters and their mother as the three meet at the family’s rustic lake house to mark the one year anniversary of the youngest sister’s death. Ghosts of bygone years haunt the three as the eldest sister, Deborah, comes to terms with a life lived solely for taking care of her dysfunctional family fractured by divorce and substance abuse, while hiding the dark secret of the events leading up to her sister’s death. “The Lake House” contains mature themes and is recommended for adult audiences.

“How to Kill a Cactus” by T.L. Penberthy

Monday, October 21: 7pm, Edge Performance Center, 17517 15th Ave NE, Shoreline

In this play, Cathy tries hard to fit in to the small Mississippi town where Paula, her partner, grew up, but the plants are too green and menacing – especially a mystical old oak tree in their backyard. Focusing all of her loneliness and misery on the oak tree, she gladly cuts it down when it suddenly – and suspiciously – dies. But when the entire town starts to die, Cathy must sacrifice herself to atone for her mistakes, revive the town, and bring Paula back to her.

 The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture all of the arts in the community through programs and events, arts education, advocacy, and support for artists and arts organizations.