NH Theatre Factory to Offer Insight Into Developing New Works

Have you ever wondered how a play is developed? It starts with the playwright writing a script and ends with a production, but before putting the time and money into a fully-produced show, there is an intermediate step called the "Staged Reading." A Staged Reading is when Actors read the play aloud in front of an audience in order for the playwright to gauge the effectiveness of the dialogue, pacing, flow, and other dramatic elements that might need to be adjusted. It is a crucial stage of development for a new play and the audience's response and feedback contribute to the rewrites. "When we developed the NH Theatre Factory, we planned three separate branches of operation," explains Artistic Director Joel Mercier, "Main Stage Production, Youth Education, and New Works Development. We are very excited to continue to grow our New Works branch by offering our first Staged Reading." The Factory, established only two years ago, has already begun carving out its niche in the community with original works so adding Staged Readings to its repertoire seems only natural. "We love classic musicals and plays just as much as everyone else and we plan to offer those to our patrons as well, but as a theatre company deeply dedicated to art and craft, we feel we have an obligation to also expose the granite state to different kinds of material and different kinds of opportunities," says Mercier, "and this will be a very different theater-going experience."

The Factory will present The Warmth of the Cold by local playwright Lowell Williams of Nashua as its inaugural staged reading on Friday, November 13th. Instead of sitting in a theater and watching actors seated up on a stage, the reading will take place at XO Bistro on Elm Street in Manchester. "Sometimes readings can be very stark so our goal was to break down the formality of it," explains Producing Director and Head of the New Works Development Branch, Wallace Pineault. "We believe it will create a laid back atmosphere and help our audience feel more comfortable opening up about what they felt during the reading. We want feedback on the show, but we also want to spark a lively discussion on the social aspects represented in the play." The Warmth of the Cold is about a family's struggle to find their place after loss & tragedy strike. It will be performed by five local actors, including three teen performers, and directed by Artistic Director Joel Mercier. "We love it when our different programs can merge and work together," Mercier comments, "which is why we selected a play with youth roles, so we can expose some of the teen actors from our youth program to this exciting experience." This is the first reading of what Mercier and Pineault hope will become an ongoing series with a dedicated audience. "It'll be a fun night out," says Pinault. "A behind the scenes look at the creation of a play where the audience's input can affect the future of the play."

NH Theatre Factory will present the staged reading of The Warmth of the Cold on Friday, November 13, 2015 at 7:30 PM at XO Bistro on Elm Street in Manchester. Admission is a suggested donation of $5. XO Bistro will have a special menu available for patrons who would like to order food or beverage to enjoy with the show. Doors will open at 7:00 for patrons to arrive, mingle, and put in their orders. After the reading will be a Talk Back with the Actors, Director, & Playwright. The play is rated PG-13 due to Adult Themes. Though not required, reservations are highly recommended as seating is very limited and can be made by going to the Factory's website at www.nhtheatrefactory.org.