BWW Interviews: NEW VOICE PLAY FESTIVAL Premieres Original Works at Old Opera House

The New Voice Play Festival, opening on June 19 at the Old Opera House in Charles Town, WV, provides the opportunity for audiences to witness completely new and original plays from playwrights all across the nation and vote on which play is their favorite. The four plays chosen this year vary from zany comedies to thought-provoking dramas and present various challenges to the actors and directors.

"Working on a new play is really not much different than working on any play you haven't seen before. You are creating a character you are not familiar with, and with a new play, it is a character no one has ever played. That is what makes it exciting. Like any play, you are trying to interpret what the playwright was intending for the character. But unlike other plays, there aren't tons of previous versions to compare to" said Christine Brewer, who plays Evelyn Hanes in Civilized Affairs. "Working on a new play is looking into the mind of the playwright to understand what it is they are trying to convey. When you do a show that has been done before, you have a starting point. With a new play, you become the starting point. That makes it both exciting and frightening at the same time" said Kevin Tester, who plays Hollis Hanes in Civilized Affairs.

"It is a really interesting process to create a new character for the stage. Because this is a new show that has never been produced before, you spend a lot of time analyzing your character and the show, trying to make sure that what you present is true to the vision of the playwright" said Kelly Pannill, who plays Allison in The Day After Christmas. "It is challenging to bring a new artist's work to life with that person's vision. There are no past performances to review, study, learn from, and as actors, we have to bring the nuances to the stage with the writer's point of view in mind" said Eve Van Absher, who plays Gloria Kringle in The Day After Christmas. "Since no one has played the character before, there's a lot of freedom to play around to see what works. It is a lot of fun, but it can also be a challenge, depending upon how much the playwright conveys his or her intentions" said John Michael Rolnick, who plays Trevor in The Cloak of the Supreme Champion Over All Others.

The actors agree that the opportunity to participate in the first production of a new, unpublished play is definitely a unique and memorable opportunity, as is the chance to work with a small cast rehearsing various shows at the same time.

"These are short, small cast plays which means we get to "put them on their feet" a lot quicker. We can play with the characters for a longer period of the rehearsal time. We can also run them twice in a rehearsal period so we can immediately make adjustments that the director wants. We also have a lot of fun as the casts of the four plays come together and get to see each other rehearse and get to know each other. It is a really unique experience unlike any other show I've done" said Brewer.

"The best part of the rehearsal process is the camaraderie with my fellow actors. Bringing together each performer's character concepts and morphing them with each other to see the show come together creates a special bond that you take with you even when the final bows are done" said Tester.

The 15th Annual New Voice Play Festival seeks to showcase four new, rarely performed original one act plays. Each show is a one act non-musical play, about 20-30 minutes in length. Audience members will see fully staged and costumed performances of all four chosen shows during each performance of the New Voice Play Festival.

In Civilized Affairs, written by Carl Williams and directed by Meaghan Berry, an English professor faces a battle of wits and sexual stereotypes when his wife and his co-ed fling hold a surprise meeting. The show also features Elizabeth Ricketts as Kristi. A Subject Of Inquiry, written by Carl Williams and directed by Ed Conn, tells the story of a high school biology teacher accused of teaching Creationism during an Evolution lesson and the resulting ethical and intellectual battle. The show features Robert Allen as BRyan Mitchell, Sarah Celec as Pat Lassiter, Ashley Snow as Jessica Franks and Tod Williams as Harold Donovan.

The Day After Christmas, written by J.C. Svec and directed by Rene Farabaugh, features a marriage counselor who receives some holiday spirit when she is visited by the world's most famous Yuletide couple: Mr. and Mrs. Kringle! The show also features Amy Hebb as Elaine Kingman and Dan Rice as Kris Kringle. In The Cloak of the Supreme Champion Over All Others, Billy and his friends battle during an annual board game tournament to see who will become the new protector of a sacred cloak. The cast features Adam Blackstock as Lucas, Chase Cox as Scott, Charlie Perkins as Billy, Katie Kennedy as Bonnie and Jenna Kennedy as Mom.

"You have a really nice mix of funny, zany, witty, and dramatic pieces, so there is something for everyone! With this festival, audiences have a really unique opportunity to see four great productions and vote on their favorite. They can provide immediate feedback and recognition to the cast, crew, and playwrights in a really meaningful way" said Pannill. "Where else can you be at the forefront of four plays, never seen before, and vote on your favorite? Each of these plays offers a different flavor of comedy, frivolity, and drama - all of them vastly entertaining" said Van Absher

"There is a very strong field of plays and something for everyone's taste, from the silly to the serious. We sometimes say if you don't like the one you're watching, sit tight, because in 20 minutes, you'll see something totally different" said Brewer. "Not only do you get to be one of the first to see four individual newly written shows, but you get the added bonus of helping to select the overall winner. It is like going to four different shows in one evening, each different and very entertaining in unique ways!" said Tester

The New Voice Play Festival outcome is decided by the audience. Each audience will be asked to vote for their favorite play after each performance and the winner and runner-ups of the New Voice Play Festival will be announced after the matinee performance on June 21. Performances are June 19 and 20 at 8:00 PM and June 21 at 2:30 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students. For more information about the New Voice Play Festival or information regarding submission for the 2016 New Voice Play Festival, please visit www.oldoperahouse.org.

Photo Credit: Old Opera House

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