It is nighttime, and eight strangers -- a jaded Earth goddess, an exile from heaven, a reluctant travel writer, a physicist who harbors a frightening secret, an adolescent girl and three globe-trotting brothers from the steppes of Russia -- have boarded a train hurling toward infinity. The 12-year old girl possesses the miraculous powers of a comic-book heroine, but can she manipulate time and space to save the lives of her fellow travelers? An audience of curious spectators will learn the answer to the question during the debut of a new series of play readings that will feature works by student playwrights at the School of Drama.
The series, "Yale Playwrights at the Rep: Plays by the Graduating Class," will begin with a reading of the aforementioned comedy, titled "The Reckless Ruthless Brutal Charge of It, a Comi- threnody," by third-year student E. Duffy Adams. One of six readings scheduled throughout the year, his play will be read by unaffiliated Yale artists on Monday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. in the lounge of the Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St. All of the readings in the series are free and open to the public; however, reservations are required due to space limitations. For reservations, call 432-1570.
"New writing for the stage -- creatively juxtaposed with the classical repertory -- is central to Yale Rep's vision," says Stan Wojewodski Jr., dean of the School of Drama and artistic director of the Yale Rep, in announcing the new series. "In concert with this effort, 'Yale Playwrights at the Rep' will provide promising young theater artists with the resources to explore the potential of their work."
Mark Bly, associate artistic director of the Yale Rep and cochair of the playwriting, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism program at the School of Drama, is serving as the director of Yale Playwrights at the Rep.
"The Reading Series is a wonderful new opportunity for the graduating Yale playwrights to present their work to our Rep audience and the region's leading theater professionals," says Mr. Bly. "This is an essential element in their training and development as artists. It will offer them not only exposure in a professional venue, but the chance to discuss their work with visiting artists and mentors such as actors, casting directors, playwrights and artistic directors who produce new plays. Furthermore, this deepening of the conservatory relationship between the Rep and the School in the playwriting area is truly an exciting prospect."
The subsequent readings in the series by the five other student playwrights are scheduled for Monday evenings and will be offered on the following dates: Dec. 9, Jan. 6, Feb. 10, March 17 and April 21. For further information, call 432-1570.