Olathe Civic Theatre Association Announces First New Works Playwright Competition Winner

30 actors, 5 playwrights, 5 directors, 1 winner! The winner of Olathe Civic Theatre Association's inaugural New Works Playwright Competition was crowned Saturday night! The winning play was The Green Book Wine Club Train Trip, written by local playwright Michelle Tyrene Johnson, directed by Teresa Leggard, and featuring a cast of Marica Davis, Angela Roux, Lanette King, Olivia Cabrera, Kimi'Sung, and Earl McWilliams. The play will now receive a workshop culminating in a full-length staged reading, again directed by Teresa Leggard, July 7 and 8, 2017.

During the competition March 10 and 11, audiences watched five short play teasers written by the finalists and voted for the winner. The upcoming workshop format allows the playwright to make changes and work with a director and cast before presenting it during the third and final phase of the competition. Updates and ticket information will be added to OCTA's website and Facebook page soon.

For now, Johnson and company can celebrate their win. They competed with a total of 30 actors and played to nearly full houses each night, facing stiff competition from the other four finalists: Amanda Davison (Mr. Grievers Takes a Lunch Break, directed by Jo Bledsoe-Collins), Lisa Greenwood (Dissolution, directed by Deborah Buckner), Jim Moore (The Last Danny Boy, directed by Jenn Ward), and Derek Trautwein (Revelations, directed by Trevor Belt). Photos of Johnson and her winning team along with the Entire company and finalists are currently on OCTA's Facebook page.

To help support the winning play's workshop and performance, a 50-50 raffle was held each night - a lucky audience member took home half the donations and the other half will help to support the workshop in July. While the votes were tallied Saturday night, audience members were treated to original music written and performed by local musician KElsie Clark and songs from Ruthless! and Violet, shows in OCTA's upcoming 2017-2018 season, performed by Ana Rojas-Plumberg and Morgan Stacer.

OCTA is thrilled to participate in the development of new work in the Kansas City metro and encourages the community to save July 7 and 8 for the full-length staged reading of Michelle Tyrene Johnson's The Green Book Wine Club Train Trip. What's next for Johnson in the meantime? She's headed to New York where her play will receive a reading at the National Black Theatre. Check out her details at https://newplayexchange.org/users/733/michelle-tyrene-johnson.

About Olathe Civic Theatre Association

Olathe Civic Theatre Association is a 501c3 organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year. Through the generosity of volunteers, season ticket holders, donors, and the City of Olathe, OCTA has grown into one of the most progressive community theaters in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Social and Digital Media

Receive daily updates by 'liking' OCTA's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/olathecivictheatre and follow OCTA on Twitter at @OCTATheatre.

NEXT UP AT OCTA

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Final Production of the 2016-17 Season!)

April 21 - May 7, 2017 | By Christopher Durang | Directed by Nino Casisi

Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Adding to the ensemble are sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and Nina, a lovely young aspiring actress.

2017-2018 SEASON AND SPECIAL EVENTS

The Green Book Wine Club Train Trip - New Works Playwright Competition Workshop

July 7-8, 2017 | By Michelle Tyrene Johnson

Ruthless! September 15-October 1, 2017
Book and Lyrics by Joel Paley | Music by Marvin Laird
Directed by Jay Coombes | Music Direction by Tim Braselton

Anne of Green Gables November 3-19, 2017
Adapted by Joseph Robinette from the novel by L.M. Montgomery
Directed by Heather Tinker

Violet February 9-25, 2018
Book and Lyrics by Brian Crawley | Music by Jeanine Tesori
Directed by Julie Ewing | Music Direction by Kevin Bogan

Superior Donuts April 6-22, 2018
By Tracy Letts |Directed by Robert Flaherty Hart

Unnecessary Farce June 1-17, 2018
By Paul Slade Smith | Directed by Bill Pelletier

To post a comment, you must register and login.