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New
River Dramatists is looking for writers, not works to produce. The writers
need to be receptive to feedback and willing to contribute their responses
to their colleagues. In addition, the Artistic Director assures cultural
and artistic diversity. New River Dramatists’ sessions include emerging
and established writers from all over the world, roughly equal numbers
of men and women notable for their extraordinary talent.
Writers
are selected through solicitation or discovery. There is no application
form. There are no fees. Actors are selected on the strength of their
ability to effectively engage in cold readings, to participate in a high
level of discourse and to inhabit a wide range of characters. Facilitators
are chosen with particular regard for their sensibility, sensitivity and
gift for synthesis.
Each
group of participants consists of a dosen artists at the table, usually
five writers (including a Facilitator) and seven actors. Daily sessions
last aproximately five hours. The writers bring in freshly written or
re-written work each day. The Facilitator casts the work on the spot,
which is then read. The Facilitator may change actors from one act, or
even one scene, to another. This enables the writers to hear various voices
and discover more about their plays.
Unlike
many other writing colonies and centers, New River Dramatists does not
present public readings at the end of its sessions. The writers are liberated
from the pressure to complete an unrealized work. They focus exclusively
on exploring their own work to its greatest depth.
The
writers are constantly encouraged. Although the discussion sessions that
follow each reading can be intense, probing, and often exhaustive, all
criticism is required to be constructive. Every comment has to address
the work being written, not the one you might have preferred. All remarks
must address what needs to be clarified in the work. With these ground
rules in place and respected, the comments at the table help the writer
understand what is and is not working.
There
is a process to the comments. The Facilitator solicits comments during
which time the writer listens but does not respond. This technique helps
the writer to avoid becoming prematurely defensive about the work. They
listen to what the professionals around the table believe they heard.
The Facilitator solicits questions and further comments; during this second
section of the discussion, the writer is welcome to speak about any point
or to ask their own questions of the actors and writers. While the process
is demanding, it is also remarkaby informative and naturally leads to
the kind of synthesis at the end of discussion that is critical for the
writers to leave the room with a clear vision of how to improve their
work.
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