Mark Your Calendars! Playground, Ink: New to the Theatre & Playwriting Scene

by | Aug 22, 2014 | Blog, Literary Scene

 

In the two years I have lived in the Kalamazoo area, while attending Western Michigan University’s MFA program in Poetry, I have been impressed with the level of involvement that is available in the arts—from poetry and fiction readings, to playwriting productions, to plays, to community events, and more.

That being said, there is always room for improvement! Second and third year Playwriting MFA candidates, Jeremy Llorence and Cara Beth Heath, worked diligently this past academic year to establish a greater connection between WMU’s English Department and WMU’s Theatre Department, to offer playwriting students more chances to see their work put on its feet, and to offer acting students more opportunities to work directly with playwrights.

The result of all their hard work is Playground, Ink, a student organization of playwrights, actors, directors, and other theatre artists, established at WMU. Their goal is to produce several student playwrights’ work per month, including short plays and full-length readings. There will also be a final performance each year to showcase the work of those playwriting MFA and/or PhD candidates who are graduating.

The first show will take place in the upcoming two weeks, featuring original ten-minute plays by Cara Beth Heath and Jeremy Llorence, at the following times:

Thursday, 8/28/14, at 11:00pm
Saturday, 8/30/14, at 2:00pm
Thursday, 9/04/14, at 11:00pm
Saturday, 9/06/14, at 2:00pm

These shows will take place in the amphitheater by Dunbar Hall on Western Michigan University’s campus, and the event is FREE and open to the public.

Please come out and show your love, appreciation and support of the theatrical arts. Bring some friends or family members or your significant other! Playground, Ink, is looking to create the largest events possible; and that means great writing, a well-developed production, and a large audience. Looking forward to seeing you there!

STAY TUNED: Once I’ve attended, I will have a follow-up post about this opening event, as well as more information about how you can become more involved in this new organization!!