the 2022 Developmental Readings – June 2022
Closing our 2022 Season: Diverse new works selected from nearly 30 applicants and 10 semi-finalists by our event curators Alexa Kelly and Brian Richardson of the prestigious 30 year-old Pulse Ensemble Theatre, with technical assistance by Executive Director Louis Lopardi. Again we present 3 plays: 1 short subject and 2 full-lengths, with opportunities for audience feedback and constructive discussion to assist the development process.
In the case of video recorded readings, only the Premiere Date is presented in a hosted, live webinar, with direct audience Q & A by text or in-person. All recorded episodes will be viewable on-line From June through August of 2022, with public commentary invited through August.
Download the full-series Program Book, updated final version.
Time Hole
Erin Proctor | author
Premiered THURSDAY, June 16th at 7 pm. VIDEO AVAILABLE > HERE!
A mind and gender bending fantasy trip spanning several centuries. “When Dr. Lior Cohen, a time-traveller, visits the 7th Century attempting to repair their future ecosystem, will their emotions perhaps interfere with ethical choices which must be made?“
| Erin is a playwright and actor based in NYC. Recent projects include: Alternative Canon with the Round the Bend Theatre Company, Doomscrolled with the F*cked Up Play Festival, and Roller Stakes with the Players Theatre Short Play Festival.
Full VideoHomiesexual
Troy Defour | author/director
Premiered THURSDAY June 23rd at 7 pm. VIDEO AVAILABLE > HERE!
“In one short, powerful scene the future of a world is settled by two brothers, – friends on a journey.”
| Troy Aaron Defour is a recent alumni of the challenging, yet rewarding New York University Tisch School of The Arts, Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Troy is the first grant recipient from the Council for American-Canadian Relations for NYU Tisch. Troy was recently awarded the 2022 Highland Opera/Loose Tea Music Theatre New Works Residency. Troy is also a 2022/23 Librettist Fellow at The American Opera Projects.
He most recently directed Miss Vanjie’s True Dating Story for True Dating Stories airing on FUSE TV and CBC Gem. Troy recently assistant directed Johnny G. Lloyd’s birthday birthday birthday at Columbia University School of The Arts 2022 New Plays Festival.
Simply Having
Joe Newman-Getzler | author
Premiered SUNDAY June 19th at 7:30. VIDEO AVAILABLE SOON!
| “Inclusive, funny, and full of heart,” – a story of three couples and a London bar, over the course of three Christmases (with a little help from three ghosts).
| Playwright Joe Newman-Getzler (he/him) is a New York City-based writer, director, puppeteer, and usher, having his first developmental reading! He dedicates this event to his entire family, his friends and professors who’ve helped shape him into something resembling a good writer (especially Julia May Jonas, without whose guidance this play wouldn’t exist), and the city of London for being the second-best city in the world and a damn fine place to set a play. Merry Christmas!
Full Video
Curators for the Reading Series
ALEXA KELLY – Pulse Ensemble Theatre
was born and raised in London, and studied at Central. After visiting the US, she remained to teach acting in NC and then host a television series for PBS in Florida. She ran a drama program at the men’s FCI in Tallahassee. She then taught acting and directing for 3 years at U of M, Ann Arbor. She moved to NYC, and in 1989 founded Pulse Ensemble Theatre with Gary Garrison (Artistic Director for the DGA), and Kevin Willmott (screen writer for Spike Lee’s Chiraq), and has been its artistic director ever since. She has directed regionally and taught and/or directed at U of M, UNC, FSU, Adelphi U, and Tisch School of the Arts. alexaKellydirector.com. SDC, DGA, AEA, SAG-AFTRA, STA, League of Professional Theatre Women.
BRIAN RICHARDSON – Pulse Ensemble Theatre
was born in Belize and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. He began acting in Trinidad in 1981. He is now based in New York. In addition to W.E.B. Du Bois, he has appeared with the Harlem Summer Shakespeare as Macbeth, Prospero, The Tempest, Malvolio, Twelfth Night, Jaques, As You Like It. Other NYC productions include Night Must Fall, The Lower Depths, and Race. He has also performed with Bristol Riverside Theatre, Barter Theatre, The Metropolitan Playhouse, The Bushnell Theatre, J City Theatre, and others. TV credits include: Law and Order and Baz Luhrmann’s The Get Down. Movie credits: Time out of Mind, Coming to America, Hunger and Sid’s New Glasses. SAG-Aftra, AEA