It’s been a year since I created Cold Reads/Online—a Facebook group whose member hosts create events in which anyone, anywhere, can read plays together via video chat. In that time I’ve hosted well over a hundred such events, attended by friends (and strangers) coast to coast.
Continue reading Year End ReportCategory Archives: 1 Concept
By George #1
Random Thoughts
It’s time to put aside my vain search for the words for Why Read Plays and ramble on a stream of consciousness, whatever topics come to mind, and see what happens. These will appear as By George posts as often as I find the time.
Come Read with Us
Hello Readers
For the past year, I’ve been working to develop the Facebook group Cold Reads/Online (CR/O), through which anyone can read with others anywhere via video chat rooms. I announced it it in a lengthy post here last April 19, and featured it on the home page. Since then I’ve read nearly 200 plays with 50-60 friends in nine states coast to coast, three to a dozen at a time. Continue reading Come Read with Us
Open Theatre Material (discard as needed)
Under Construction
Continue reading Open Theatre Material (discard as needed)“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.”
Cold Reads in a Nutshell
Cold Reads International (CR/I)
is a grassroots movement to encourage people everywhere to read great plays with others.
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Meet Cold Reads/Online
The Game Changer
The purpose of this first mass missive is to promote Cold Reads as an answer to the monotony of these troubled times—thanks to my recent discovery of ONLINE VIDEO CHATS. They add a whole new dimension to the game—especially now, when all the things that usually gobble up our time are on hold. While we can’t be all together in one place, we can read face-to-(digital)-face with anybody—anywhere in the world, in the comfort of our homes. Continue reading Meet Cold Reads/Online
COLD READS: the Film
Check out a short film by Cold Reader Albert L Dulin about why everyone in the Universe should read plays aloud, together!
To show our thanks, we’re happy to post Albert, to introduce you to him and promote his various livelihoods—playwright, artist, musician, photographer, video producer, author of a recently published novel (Billie Heartwing).
MTA Post Mortem
Last Sunday I had the opportunity to present Cold Reads to members of the Metrolina Theater Association. We broke the ice by pairing up to read and ramble on 10-minute plays, then shared thoughts as a group. I talked for a while about how a cold read happens, referring to this web site; then we brainstormed on the reasons people do (and don’t) read plays. To wrap it up, the whole group started reading a full-length play we knew we wouldn’t finish.
A full account, including a transcript of my discourse, is posted on the Cold Reads blog. Continue reading MTA Post Mortem
MTA Event
On Sunday afternoon, October 12, I was invited to present Cold Reads to members of the Metrolina Theatre Association. Because I tend to ramble, I scripted the first half of of my presentation as follows, amended to suit a general (non-theatre) audience, with cues to prompt responses during the talkback.
I authorize and encourage (beg) anyone to use it as a guide to pitch the practice. Continue reading MTA Event
Cold Reads Podcast
Last summer, Gene Kusterer and I were interviewed by Della Freedman, creator of the podcast It’s a Mix, to talk about Cold Reads. Here’s the link.
Cold Reads/International 