Lunchbox

THEATRE WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Dedicated to new, exciting, and innovative theatrical works of the highest quality, we provide a space where writers, performers, and an audience can come together in a spirit of community and collaboration to expand our understanding of what is possible in the theatre. We also offer educational programs and support for artist development for Southwestern Virginia. By working in concert with other arts organizations, we will strive to make Roanoke a nationally recognized ignition point for new play development.

STUDIO ROANOKE

30 Campbell Avenue, SW

Roanoke VA 24011

info@studioroanoke.org

Lunchbox Readings

On the second Wednesday of every month we present to the public a free 25-35 minute reading of a new play, followed by a moderated discussion with the director, the actors, and sometimes even the playwright!

Feel free to bring a brown bag lunch and join in the theatrical fun.

These are always family friendly and geared toward an all ages audience. You don’t need to know a lot about theatre to take part in the talks, all you need to do is have a lunch hour you’d like to spend watching something interesting and telling us what you liked and didn’t like about it.

Always featuring local actors and directors from our community, so if you don’t see a familiar face up there when you walk in, chances are those faces and names will be familiar when you walk out.

Upcoming Lunchbox Readings

February: Exit Strategy
Written by Kris Knutsen
Directed by Todd Ristau
Written as part of the First Drafts instensive course at Hollins University, this non-linear script covers the multiple past lives of two characters across a century or more in time where they have played out a dance between victim and prey.
February 10, 2010
12:15 to 1PM

March: The Prom
Written by Adam Hahn
Directed by TBA
.
March 10, 2010
12:15 to 1PM

April: ich liebe dich
Written by Samantha Macher
Directed by TBA
.
April 14, 2010
12:15 to 1PM

May: The Bank
Written by Steven Schutzman
Directed by Steven V. Rice
.
May 12, 2010
12:15 to 1PM

Past Lunchbox Readings

January: A Name Tag and a Smile
Written and directed by Brian Turner
Directed by TBA
.
January 13, 2010
12:15 to 1PM

December: The UnXmas Story
Written by Jeff Goode
Directed by Kenley Smith
.
December 9, 2009
12:15 to 1PM

November: Treading Water
Written by Tim Cochran
Directed by Daryn Warner
An overprotective father does all he can to keep his daughter out of harm's way. His attempts to keep his daughter and wife safe are motivated by the memories of his painful past.
November 11, 2009
12:15 to 1PM

October: Don't Look Back
Written and Directed by Todd Ristau
A adaptation of the story of Orfeo and Eurydice.

September 9, 2009: Sasparilla
Written by Robert Plowman
Directed by Todd Ristau
A light hearted look at a modern cowboy torn between the call of adventure and the demands of family.

August, 2009: Tree Man
Written by Steven Schutzman
Directed by Steven V. Rice
The story of Helen and Charlotte, new friends in very different circumstances, watching their sons play in the backyard. Tensions and humor mount as the women share glass after glass of wine. When a mysterious tree man appears in the backyard, Helen and Charlotte connect in truthful, imaginative and even reckless ways, possibly opening the door to a different future.

Tree Man won first prize in the First Stage LA One Act Contest in 2004, the Irene Bashore Award, and has been produced in Chicago, Baltimore and New York City.

June, 2009: The Way to a Man's Heart
Written by April Drummond
Directed by Kenley Smith
In this lighthearted comedy two neighbors, women of different generations, vie for the affections of the same mailman.

Past Lunchbox Readings

May, 2009: Gavrilo
Written by Jonathan Van Gils
Directed by Todd Ristau
In the 1800's, a teenage "punk" named Gavrilo Pincep prepares to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand while discussing the situation in a cafe with his history teacher. The short play deftly combines historical fact, political philosophy, and the very real human beings who put events into motion.

Gavrilo was the 2009 winner of the SETC High School Playwriting Contest.

April, 2009: Angel of Brooklyn
Written by Dwayne Yancey
Directed by Charlie Boswell
A heartwarming and hilarious play about God and Baseball.

2009-2010 Lunchbox Playwrights

Kris Knutsen is an actor/playwright currently based in Calgary, Alberta. Originally hailing from Seattle, Kris holds a B.A. in Theatre from Trinity Western University, and is currently pursuing her M.F.A. in Playwriting from Hollins University in Virginia. An adjunct professor of theatre at Trinity Western and Rosebud School of the Arts, Kris also directs “playmakings”: creating original theatrical works within a limited time frame with students and camps.

Brian Turner is a playwright who currently resides in Lewisburg, West Virginia. In addition to his writing, Biran is a talented actor who has been seen on our stage in Donnie and the Monsters, by Robert Gibbs and Ashville, by Lucy Thurber. He is also a regular writer/performer at No Shame Theatre.

Tim Cochran currently resides in Western Massachusetts where he is Assistant Professor of Theatre and Communication at Holyoke Community College. Before his move to Massachusetts, Tim was the director of the theatre program at Western Nebraska Community College and Artistic Director of Theatre West Summer Repertory. Tim has worked professionally as an actor, director, and designer in various theatres throughout the country and an MFA Playwriting candidate at Hollins University.

Robert Plowman is a Canadian playwright and dramaturge. A Halifax native and graduate of Dalhousie University, Robert co-founded Chestnut Tree Theatre in 1994. Most recently he has served as a member of Halifax’s Zuppa Theatre, in the creation of his play Radium City. A professional writer and editor, Robert’s work has appeared in The National Post, The Seattle Stranger, The Coast. He is currently pursuing graduate study of playwriting at Hollins University.

Steven Schutzman is a playwright and fiction writer, the author of twenty published plays and more than 30 different plays produced at such theatres as New Jersey Repertory, Cleveland Public and Baltimore Theatre Project. He is a five-time recipient of Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Grant Awards. You can find out more about his work at: http://mysite.verizon.net/stevenschutzman/

2008-2009 Lunchbox Playwrights

April Drummond is a Horizon student at Hollins University working toward her undergraduate theatre degree. She is an incredibly talented writer, director and actress. April's work has been seen on many local stages, including Hollins University, the Dumas Center, and Mill Mountain Theatre.

Jonathan Van Gils is a remarkably talented young writer, who at 17 has already been racking up professional credits, including winning the 2009 SETC High School Playwriting Contest with his short work Gavrilo. Jonathan is a student at Shorecrest Prepratory School in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is a member of Thespian Troupe 3140.

Dwayne Yancey has published several plays and some of his works have been produced in New York by professional theatres. Yancey lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his wife and two children, all of whom are veterans of the community theatre stage.