COSTA MESA, CALIF.: South Coast Repertory has announced the return of its NewSCRipts play reading series, which is part of its comprehensive play development program, The Lab@SCR. The series also comes back with NewSCRipts in Schools, a pilot program that will bring play readings to schools. The latter program will give UCI theatre students the opportunity to experience a reading of a play in progress, bringing them into the process with SCR-commissioned playwrights, actors, and the director. The aim is to enrich the development process for the playwright, who will get to share their play with two unique audiences.
“Our NewSCRipts in Schools program provides a vital connection for SCR and the educational community of Orange County,” said artistic director David Ivers in a statement. “We’re thrilled that UC Irvine is joining us in launching this new program that will mutually benefit the playwright, the work in progress, and UCI students. Their enthusiastic response in joining us in this partnership is a testament to UCI and their status as one of the premier drama programs.”
The play reading series will begin on Monday, Oct. 25 with Louder by Caroline V. McGraw at 7:30 p.m. on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Louder will have an exclusive reading at UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts on Tuesday, Oct. 26, for an invited audience of UCI students and faculty. The reading will be followed by a moderated discussion with the playwright, director, and the actors.
In a statement, UCI Department of Drama Chair Don Hill said he anticipates the partnership with SCR will create a greater understanding among his students of the storytelling process and what it entails.
“The Department of Drama in the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA) is thrilled to be building an ongoing relationship with SCR,” Hill said. “The art of storytelling is the core of theatre, and this program helps inform and empower UCI Drama students in exploring the world of playwriting and development. Having new works shared live directly with our community on the CTSA campus creates new connections and discoveries. The value of our students observing professional actors at work and being an active part of post-play discussions is immeasurable.”
The series continues Monday, Dec. 6 with a yet-to-be-determined play. It will end with Funnie by Jessica Moss on Monday, April 25, 2022. NewSCRipts play readings are free and open to the public.
