[theatre]

Lessons Learned:
UNCW authors’ vuews on handling life in short plays

By: MJ Pendleton

Constructive criticism. Does such a thing really exist? Usually we seek validation rather than criticism—or even advice. Some very brave people are actually willing to expose themselves and their work to the scrutiny of others because they believe that the benefits are worth the risk. This is essentially the mission of Playwright’s Producing Company (PPC), which is different from other theater organizations in Wilmington because their primary goal is the development of local talent.

Founded in 1983, they initially produced plays by local playwrights. Stage productions were replaced by a workshop program of table readings to encourage local writers to revise and edit their work with critical advice from the company’s playwright development committee. This sometimes involved staged readings where the audience offered advice and suggestions as well.

In 2006, PPC produced a play onstage for the first time since 1996, and last year, they produced “Ten for $10” and three one-act plays, which were the best of 12 local script submissions. Their first production in 2008 will introduce UNCW student playwrights. In December, Dr. Paul Castagno, chairman of the UNCW Theater Department, asked former President of PPC Chris Hauge to be a responder to five 10-minute plays written, cast and directed by his students. Local writer and composer Dr. R.J. Falk was invited to respond to five other plays.

Hauge was “blown away by the playwrights,” so he observed the second five plays as well and met with the authors to propose full production. Most undergraduate playwrights would never be awarded such an opportunity, and all but one readily agreed. Veteran playwright Hauge warned them that he would probably have to rewrite the plays to change them into production scripts. “Some of them had a hard time with that, but they all came through,” Hauge smiled.

According to Hauge, who is director and producer of UNCW’s “Lessons Learned,” the short plays “range from light comedy to heavy drama to commentary on society, with the freshness and edginess of young playwrights looking at our society today. It will be a beautiful evening,” he added, “but it’s going to piss some people off—which I like to do.”

Jessica Stinson, PPC’s artistic director, proposed the title and was originally cast in several roles because Hauge considers her a “brilliant actor.” She chose, instead, to direct Guerilla Theatre’s next production by local playwright Marlowe Moore who, according to Hauge, “is the finest playwright in Wilmington right now, above all, including me.”

Cinematographers Jordan Ferry and Airlie Pelletier are filming the PPC/UNCW project to create a documentary, “The Making of Lessons Learned.” Dr. Lou Buttino, chairman of UNCW Film Studies Department, offered department equipment for the film, which they hope to submit to the Cucalorus Festival.

The play will be PPC’s premiere at their new home venue, Brown Coat Pub and Theater. PPC is a nonprofit organization, but in the past they’ve had to come up with money for a theater. Their arrangement with Guerilla is a percentage of the ticket sales. An important consequence of the new venue is that for the first time, the PPC cast and crew will be paid. In the last several years, other companies in Wilmington have also started offering compensation, which is well deserved.

PPC has always supported local writers, which attracts new talent to this area and enhances the entire theater community. Audiences here are receptive to the avant-garde and embrace creativity. “Lessons Learned” may just teach us something (adult content and language), showing July 17th-20th and July 24th-27th at 7pm, with Sunday matinees showing at 3pm. Tickets are $10-$12; call (910) 233-9914. Brown Coat Pub and Theater is located at 111 Grace Street.