Ancient Greece and (Lesser) Rome
For a far more comprehensive overview of the ancient Greeks than the subjective one below, visit Dr Jack.
Continue reading The ClassicsDrama is Literary Art
A Little History
For the first two thousand years of Western Civilization, the only literary art most people knew was acquired by ear, because they couldn’t read! Everything they knew they learned from what they saw and heard, from priests and politicians, poets, story-tellers, and, most effectively, from actors on a stage. From the Ancient Greeks and (lesser) Romans through church drama to the Renaissance and Shakespeare, most of what the hoi polloi made of their world and human nature—and of language, its evocative power—came from actors playing characters in worlds imagined by the greatest writers of their times.
Think about that.
Continue reading Drama is Literary ArtCharlotte Readers Past & Present
More Than a Hundred over a Dozen Years
Some came once or twice, others attended regularly for years. Many have moved (or passed) away (or on to other things). Our current Cold Reads/Charlotte group has nearly 300 enrolled, most of whom have (sadly) yet to read..
Continue reading Charlotte Readers Past & PresentProtected: Amadeus
Dramaphobia
Under Construction
This post, when posted, will explore the notion that most people are afraid to face themselves, and all the things we do serve to distract us from the recognition that, when push comes to shove, we’re each of us just human beings, one among billions, each of whom has cares and troubles, hopes and fears, friends and foes, sad or happy endings. Only theatre draws us into human introspection, lets us walk in others’ shoes. All other activity (except, perhaps, psychoanalysis) is an artificial attempt to escape, by focusing on something outside ourselves. Continue reading Dramaphobia
Protected: The Garden Party
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
The Constant Wife
Click the title to display the script and download it to your reader.
The Constant Wife
by W. Somerset Maugham
Cold Reads/International 