Center Stage to Host Playwright Showcases, 2/29-3/21

Center Stage will host showcases of new writing by five members of the theater's Playwrights Collective on Feb. 29 and March 21 in Baltimore.

Playwrights, directors and actors will workshop works-in-progress all day and then present free public readings in the evening from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Center Stage's temporary rehearsal space at 830 Guilford Ave. in Baltimore (the former Hott Spott Lounge). No RSVP is required.

During the Feb. 29 workshop and showcase, local playwrights Alvin Eng, Craig S. Richie and Rachael Knoblauch will work with actors and two directors, Center Stage Associate Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif and Rep Stage Co-Producing Artistic Director Joseph Ritsch.

The March 21 showcase will feature area playwrights Jennifer Barclay and Liz Maestri with direction by Logan Vaughn and Elissa Goetschius.

The Playwrights Collective is a program that allows a rotating group of writers to develop work, foster collaborative connections and share professional mentorship within the framework of a resident regional theater. Starting in spring 2015, a group of invited writers was asked to explore ways of working in shared support, while being offered a range of association and engagement with Center Stage. The Playwrights Collective is one of several artistic initiatives in support of new writing at Center Stage. Other programs include:

· Play Labs

Center Stage offers two weeklong workshops a year for playwrights to develop new work, culminating in staged readings by professional actors during which audience members are invited to give their feedback. The spring Play Lab is Shadowboxer, with readings May 13-15.

· Hot Desk Playwright Residencies

Selected playwrights are given a space to work, time to dedicate to writing, insight into the production process, and dramaturgical and developmental resources. This year's Hot Desk Playwright is Rachael Knoblauch.

· Wright-Right-Now

At performances, at food trucks, and at other local spots, area playwrights write on-the-spot plays from simple prompts from passersby or patrons, which are printed or emailed to the passerby or patron.

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