2004-2005 Labs
Voice & Vision chose to work closely with two developing playwrights, first-time writer Sheila Schwartz and Israeli playwright Zohar Tzur, for the 2004-5 ENVISION Lab.
Benefit of the Doubt by Sheila Shwartz
After the conclusion of the 2004 ENVISION Retreat, Artistic Director Jean Wagner and Retreat Dramaturg Wendy Weckwerth began an intensive dramaturgical development process with Sheila Schwartz to continue work on her first full-length play, Benefit of the Doubt. During the fall of 2004, they met weekly for intensive dramaturgy sessions, and, at the conclusion of three months of work, began to plan a staged reading of the play. In March of 2005, the creative team began the rehearsal process with three New York City-based professional actors by reading the entire play aloud for the first time. This reading was followed by a week of intensive rehearsals, during which the playwright, director, assistant director and dramaturg worked together to hone the play. On April 1, 2005 Benefit of the Doubt was read at The Studio Theater at Theater Row for an invited audience. This LAB project was not only an excellent opportunity to continue the work on Sheila’s play, but also to continue her development as a playwright in her first collaboration with a director, dramaturg and actors.
Benefit of the Doubt by Sheila Shwartz
After the conclusion of the 2004 ENVISION Retreat, Artistic Director Jean Wagner and Retreat Dramaturg Wendy Weckwerth began an intensive dramaturgical development process with Sheila Schwartz to continue work on her first full-length play, Benefit of the Doubt. During the fall of 2004, they met weekly for intensive dramaturgy sessions, and, at the conclusion of three months of work, began to plan a staged reading of the play. In March of 2005, the creative team began the rehearsal process with three New York City-based professional actors by reading the entire play aloud for the first time. This reading was followed by a week of intensive rehearsals, during which the playwright, director, assistant director and dramaturg worked together to hone the play. On April 1, 2005 Benefit of the Doubt was read at The Studio Theater at Theater Row for an invited audience. This LAB project was not only an excellent opportunity to continue the work on Sheila’s play, but also to continue her development as a playwright in her first collaboration with a director, dramaturg and actors.
My Political Israeli Play by Zohar Tzur
The second Lab project of the 2004-05 season was a commission of playwright Zohar Tzur, whose My Political Israeli Play was developed at the 2004 ENVISION Retreat. Zohar has begun work on her new play, title TBA, which will be given a staged reading in early 2006. This is the first time that Voice & Vision has commissioned a playwright, and the artistic staff is excited to collaborate in this way with an exciting developing playwright.
The second Lab project of the 2004-05 season was a commission of playwright Zohar Tzur, whose My Political Israeli Play was developed at the 2004 ENVISION Retreat. Zohar has begun work on her new play, title TBA, which will be given a staged reading in early 2006. This is the first time that Voice & Vision has commissioned a playwright, and the artistic staff is excited to collaborate in this way with an exciting developing playwright.
