Story by Lani Lester
Murfreesboro Little Theater President Wayman Price pours a glass of wine after ushering out a group of spotted elementary children who have just finished a dress rehearsal of “101 Dalmatians.”
“I always tell people before we get started, ?First we get a glass of wine and everybody just relax,’” said Price, who is transitioning from the children’s rehearsal into the adult portion of the evening.
Once a month, MLT presents Original Writer’s Night, giving local playwrights exposure and feedback on their work. On this night, chairs are assembled on the stage that still contains the set from the previous rehearsal.
“We may be right in the middle of a show that’s going on the very next night, but because of the concept people can just sit in the seats and the playwright may be on a stage that’s for “High Society,” but it doesn’t matter,” Price said. “It doesn’t require a set; it doesn’t require anything but people to show up.”
On this evening, Daedalus, a production group composed of MTSU students will perform.
“It’s a reading of a comedy; a stoner mystery called ?The Brothers Hardy,’” said Dustin Napier, the script’s author. “Basically, it’s a parody of ?The Hardy Boys.’ This is our first step outside of educational theater.”
Napier said that venues such as MLT are an important part of the community, because they give groups such as Daedalus an opportunity to share their work.
“It’s a very kind and very intimate atmosphere,” Price described. “There is no pretense to it. It’s hard to be pretentious in a log cabin.”
People mingled as the readers prepared. This particular night, the audience was a diverse group of 20 or so, and those ages 21 and older were?and are?invited to sample the free wine.
The idea for Writer’s Night came while Price was living in New York and looking for things to do in the city that didn’t cost much money. Price said his search led him to an off-Broadway theater that hosted readings of a playwright’s work, with audience feedback afterward.
Similarly, at MLT, after the reading of Napier’s work, the group took a break to collect thoughts and make notes on the pads that Price provided.
Wine glasses were refilled; some stepped outside to smoke.
After 10 minutes, however, Price ushered the group back to their seats and mediated the comment process.
“I think that it’s really important to be critical and to critique other’s writing,” said Sarah Crotzer, attending Writer’s Night for the second time.
Each week, Writer’s Night is broken into three parts.
“So for that first 10 minutes we spend with you telling all the things that you liked, be concise and specific. Don’t just say, ?I like the dialogue.’ What do you mean you like the dialogue? Any particular thing that you like? Is there a character?” implored Price, instructing the audience to comment only on the play’s writing, not the acting.
“The next 10 minutes, what are the things that you didn’t like? And I stress that it’s not a slaughter, just do you remember a time that you found your mind wondering. What didn’t ring true to you?” Price said.
The third portion is an exchange between the writer and the audience. The writer will ask the audience questions and the audience is free to ask questions of the writer.
MLT has yet to experience a shortage of writers for Writer’s Night.
“Each play done so far has been totally different,” Price said.
Despite having formally concluded the evening, the audience remained eager to share more comments and talk with Napier about his work. Twenty minutes passed and few people left. Instead, they continued talking with Napier and complimenting the actors on their performance.
To be a featured artist of Writer’s Night, or for more information, e-mail Price at wayman@mtar.org.
