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The Reading

by Vance Smith, director

We performed the staged reading on Monday the 26th.  About 35 people attended.  We passed out feedback forms and asked audience members to stay for a discussion afterwards.  Probably the best news of the evening was the positive response to Scene 6 (formerly Act 2).  That was the part we worked on the most, and based on the reception, it paid off.  There was also a wide consensus that the show works well as a one-act and does not need an intermission.  We received many helpful comments about certain points that are perhaps overstated in the current draft, which means we are exactly where we need to be.  Now that we are confident the ideas Steve wants to convey are clear, he is in an excellent position to streamline this message.  Some parts of the show that did not play as well as I would have hoped will benefit enormously from a quicker pace (hard to do with script in hand and blocking) and the detail work that comes with a full rehearsal process.  It was so informative to watch the show with a group of fresh eyes.  We were also very fortunate to have a diverse audience of people from different ages and backgrounds.  This workshop has made it possible for us to take this project to a new level.  Thanks to all who attended and to everyone at the DCA for their support.  I hope will join us at the Athenaeum in March for the world premiere of Camp Freedom!