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First ImpressionsB

Posted by DCA Theater on December 8, 2008 in July-December 2008 Season, INCUBATOR Series: The Plagiarists

by Ian Miller, Plagiarists company member

About a year ago I read the account of the Wreck of the Medusa and ever since have threatened to adapt the tale to stage. After much reading and research, pontification-but mostly hemming and hawing, I was confronted with a number of cures-though no action of my own, I assure you- that has given me the sense that the project is charmed.  Greg Peters was ravenous with the material.  It was Greg that found the firsthand accounts of the story and the dreadful (and wonderful) play that was written shortly after the disaster.  I found myself having to sneak glances at Wikipedia before every conversation just to stay sharp.  Greg began the writing process and has been managing it ever since.  Then the DCA offered a space to workshop the script.  It took about twenty-minutes with the group meeting on our first night to know that we had been given a opportunity that is rare for an artist. A clean, well light place, WITH an emphasis on, growth, development, experimentation-incubation. I come from a background of film where a workshop is usually sought deep into the process after voice and style have hardened and egos are sensitive.  With this process it seems we’ve been permitted to color again The third ingredient is that we have a terrific group of people. No haters. The ideas are free flowing. Everyone takes ownership of the material but no one ever dominates the process.  I feel we are looking within the story to find the moments that resonate between each us. After spending a year with the story of the Medusa in my mind like vapor, it is nice to reach in with the empathy of allies in this process feel something corporal and finite.