Announcement for WordBRIDGE
We are excited to announce that WordBRIDGE Playwrights Laboratory has found new life through a partnership between the Department of Performing Arts at Clemson University and the Generous Company (a not for profit organization dedicated to developing and producing works for stage, film, and on line media). Founded in 1994, WordBRIDGE was hosted through 2003 at Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida. Modeled after the Playwrights Laboratory at the Sundance Institute established by Robert Redford and David Kranes at Sundance, Utah, WordBRIDGE provides a bridge for gifted collegiate playwrights between the private, theoretical, and academic aspects of playwriting and the real world of theatre. Due to Rices retirement in 2003, WordBRIDGE closed its doors, disappointing ten years of alums, donors, and playwrights everywhere.
Incoming Artistic Directors, Drs. David White (WB alum 03) and Mark Charney (Director of Theatre at Clemson University), supported administratively by Generous Company members Rebecca Eastman (Design/Resource Artist Coordinator), P. Jonathan Escobio (Artistic Associate/Project Coordinator), Bob Mussett (IT Coordinator), and Michael Vandercook (Technical Director/Lab Manager); are working with original founder Dr. Richard A. Rice and former Artistic Director of the Sundance Playwrights Lab, Dr. David Kranes, to host the 11th anniversary season of WordBRIDGE from June 9th-25th, 2007.
In the next few weeks, we will be sending out a call for submissions to undergraduate and graduate playwrights all over the country, looking for playwrights who come recommended by their academic programs. To refine the creative vision that first sparked their full-length plays, playwrights will be chosen on the basis of their originality, theatricality, vision, freshness of voice, strong characters, and intriguing dramatic premises. WordBRIDGE offers each author a two-week development process with a collaborative team of professional artists, from dramaturges, psychologists, and directors to designers, technicians, and musicians. There is no other program in the nation bringing together educational and professional theatre in this special way.
If you are interested in participating in WordBRIDGE as an artist, donor, volunteer, or playwright, please contact Mark Charney at cmark@clemson.edu or David White at drmdavewhite@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
We will be looking for a various types of assistance this year and for many years in the future, please let me know if you would have any interest in participating in WordBRIDGE as an artist, donor, volunteer, or playwright. Certainly you are welcome to come, visit, and enjoy the eclectic group of artists that will be gathering in Clemson next June.
