If word-of-mouth raves and numbers of people involved are any indication, Lawrence Library’s one-act play festival is a hit.
Further evidence: a second performance has been added by popular demand.
The fifth annual PlayFest, set for Saturday, April 27, promises to reach new heights. The event involves playwrights, actors, directors and selection committee members who live or work in the Delaware Valley—many from Lawrence itself. It attracts capacity audiences for staged readings, or script-in-hand performances, of six one-act plays averaging 10 minutes each.
Playwrights are invited to submit scripts by mid-December each year, and between 25 and 30 come in. After selection committee members read entries and decide which ones to stage, casting calls go out. With actors selected, rehearsals begin, all culminating on an April evening with shows at 7 and 9 p.m.
Library director James Damron notes “a conscious effort” in recent years to foster educational, cultural and recreational programming for adults. He mentioned “community involvement” as particularly noteworthy, while Ann Kerr, a reference librarian present at PlayFest’s creation, was most impressed by “audience reactions.”
“People involved in any way talk about it all year,” said Howard Zogott, who has helped select plays to be produced and directed since the beginning, after being a prime mover for such an offering. He’s former director of the Cranbury Public Library.
This year’s Fest will feature a number of returning participants—still another sign of its popularity and success.
Lawrence resident Lina Lewis-Arévalo heard about PlayFest only in 2011, but since then she’s appeared in two plays and been cast for two more this month. With a full-time job and graduate studies at night, the veteran performer said the program “allows me to develop my talents and be on stage, but its rehearsal and performance requirements fit into my very busy schedule.”
In her third experience with PlayFest, Virginia Barrie is set to direct two plays this month. She appeared in two in 2010 and last year directed three plays and acted in a fourth.
The Ewing resident especially likes “the opportunity for people of all levels of ability to become involved in a wonderful meld of seasoned actors, those with some experience and complete neophytes.”
And this is the third year in a row that a play by George Point, of Lawrence, has been selected for PlayFest. He referred to himself as “the accidental playwright” after the first time because that play had begun life as a short story. He adapted it for the stage and since then, “hearing actors speak your words” has motivated him to keep writing.
“I think PlayFest is a perfect illustration of what participating in the life of a community means,” Point said. “I’m pleased to be a part of it.”
PlayFest is scheduled to be held at 7 and 9 p.m. April 27 at the Lawrence Headquarters branch of the Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike (Business Route 1) and Darrah Lane. To reserve seats, call James Damron at (609) 989-6915.
–Pat Summers
