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1994 : 1995 : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 : 2000 : 2001 : 2002 : 2003 : 2007 Link to WordBRIDGE 1999 Plays & Playwrights What WORDBRIDGE is to me, is a chance for any student to be a part of something more beautiful than a caterpillar turning into a butterfly...Through the playwriting process I have opened my eyes to new ideas..What I had opened my eyes to was the theatrical underworld where everything begins and ends. I found myself at the beginnings of beginnings. Is there another workshop anywhere that makes so many professional resources available - without cost, without pressure - to collegiate playwrights, based solely on promise? WORDBRIDGE is unique in approach and excellent in execution. It seems to me that supporting such work is an imperative for any who truly care about the future of American theatre. The generosity of spirit that surrounds this unique and worthy program envelopes all into its creative and enriching spell... (WORDBRIDGE) has challenged me greatly as a director, and I feel that I too am leaving this experience enriched and rejuvenated as an artist. Gratitude is the word that comes most to mind. The place is holy ground. A place of creation...I have learned here the journey one must make to be a dramatist. The place has given me some wonderful fuel for that journey. Even Shakespeare was not revered as a playwright in his time - a poet, yes - but not a playwright. It’s a pleasure to be involved with WORDBRIDGE where finally justice is done and the playwrights are given the preeminent position they deserve. Plays are meant to be heard. The function of the actors in the WORDBRIDGE process is to give a voice to the words so the playwright can hear them ensemble. As an actor in the process it has expanded my awareness of the playwright’s role, the playwright’s voice, and our responsibility as actors to render their words as accurately as we can while doing our best to bring them to life with as much reality as possible. I came to this ( my first, as you know) WORDBRIDGE thinking I was prepared because I’d been several times to Sundance (Playwrights Lab in Utah)I discovered that though WORDBRIDGE may have been sired by Sundance, WORDBRIDGE is unique in the opportunities it provides, in the playwrights it serves, and in the challenges it presents to resource artists. The playwrights are students of the craft, actual students. This challenged me to broaden my base of response, to enter the process not just as storyteller, but as teacher as well. This was hands down one of the best experiences I’ve had as a writer and as a person in theatre. I’ve been in this business since I was ten, and I’ve been writing plays since I was fifteen. Never before have I felt such a sense of freedom and at the same time such a sense of support from the people around me. Dear God, I learned more about myself and what I can do with my pen in two weeks than in two years at grad school. And if I may be cheesy..it’s like you really do build a BRIDGE..and a highway, tunnel, canal..Amazingly, there was no toll for me - the person with the WORD. I don’t know how you do it, but keep on keepin’ on. I’ll be watching. WORDBRIDGE truly is bigger than the Guest Artists who breathe life into the pieces. It is about the pieces. The nurturing which must take place after the birthing to help a full-fledged piece to manifest. I feel like I got some good, codified tools for play analysis and also that I got a lot more out of WORDBRIDGE from having taken a playwriting workshop... WORDBRIDGE demystified playwriting for me..But not to belabour the point - loved writing, loved Guest Artists, loved spending time with classmates, loved WORDBRIDGE. Please count me in next year! |