This past Monday we finished the first year of our Developmental Reading Series after presenting three new plays and one musical.

And we had a blast doing it.

Not only was it fun watching four new pieces come together, and get better during the process (things always improve during these processes), but it was even more fun watching and listening to the audiences reactions and hearing their terrific feedback.  Our post-show talkbacks, especially the ones this past Monday at Date of a Lifetime, were particularly interesting and helpful to the creatives. Bottom line?  You guys are some smart puppies.

So, because the series was a success in our eyes, and because we keep getting great submissions from all of you, we’re going to keep the series going in 2011!

For those of you who like to plan way ahead, here are the four reading dates in 2011:

Monday, March 14th
Monday, June 13th
Monday, September 12th
Monday, December 12th

And, drumroll please, I am proud to announce that the the first piece we will be reading will be Analog and Vinyl by Tony Nominee Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre, Daddy Long Legs, Emma).  I’m a huge fan of Paul’s, so I’m thrilled he and his cast will be in our studio reading his new “indie-rock musical” for all of you.

What’s it about?  Here’s the blurb:

Tossed amongst the vintage records is Harrison’s broken heart.  Cue a sexy, quirky rodeo girl and a visit from a mysterious customer with a little extra soul, and Harrison just might discover there’s more to life than LPs from the Sixties.

We’re not taking RSVPs right now. I’ll do a separate announcement in late February/early March.

And for those of you who are interested in having a piece of yours read at one of the other sessions this year, get info about submitting here.  “We’re looking for a few good shows.”

By the way, I’ll tell you a little secret, as long as you promise to tell every single person you know:

Having a reading series is not hard. You need a script.  You need people that love the theater to read it and some some people who love the theater to watch it.  All of these are easy to come by in this city, and in most cities around the country.  But the rewards are always fantastic.

What I’m trying to say to all the Producers, Writers, Actors, and more is . . . have your own:  in your theater, your conference room, or your kitchen for all I care, but just have one.

You’ll have fun.  You’ll learn.  And something good will come out of it, guaranteed.