1 2 THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL LAST FRONTIER THEATRE CONFERENCE PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND COMMUNITY COLLEGE / 303 LOWE STREET / VALDEZ, AK 99686 / (907)834-1600 / WWW.PWSCC.EDU 3 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Thirteenth Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference. This event has been the most meaningful, influential artistic experience of my life, and to be given the honor of coordinating it has been a surreal pleasure. Events of this size are not accomplished without the support of many people. That support starts with our benefactors, companies and individuals who feel that we’re important enough for them to support, whether it’s donating hotel rooms or financial assistance. It is heartwarming, whether the support comes from a local business, oil company, or individual. Then there is the University of Alaska, starting with UA President Mark Hamilton and UAA Chancellor Elaine Maimon, both of whom have been incredibly supportive. Megan Sumner has been a dream to work with, and many others have gone beyond the call of duty in helping us make this year a success. My fellow employees at the Community College are also amazing. You’ll recognize them: they’re checking you in at the registration table, ushering at the shows, driving the vans… they do everything, and do it with a smile. Interim President Douglas Desorcie makes everything go with calm, practical leadership. Business Manager Steve Shiell is incredibly patient with my layman’s understanding of contracts and business, and again, the list goes on… Debbie, Adam, Mel, Bev, Kahler, Kim, Christopher, Gen… these are all amazing people I’m honored to work with. And then there’s Jim Cucurull, our technical director, who makes all things possible. This Conference would never have happened at all if not for the drive, energy, and creative spark of PWSCC President Emerita Jody McDowell, who was responsible for bringing me to Valdez. Her partnership with Edward Albee brought the event to national prominence. And thank YOU for being here, becoming part of our Conference family. I hope the week educates you as a artist and enriches you as a human being. Welcome to Valdez! Dawson Moore Conference Coordinator TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction and Table of Contents ............................................................................................. Page 4 Schedule of Events (Check monitor daily for schedule changes) Friday, June 17 ...................................................................................................................... 5 Saturday, June 18 ................................................................................................................. 5 Sunday, June 19 .................................................................................................................... 5 Monday, June 20 ................................................................................................................... 5 Tuesday, June 21 .................................................................................................................. 6 Wednesday, June 22 ............................................................................................................. 6 Thursday, June 23 ................................................................................................................. 6 Friday, June 24 ...................................................................................................................... 6 Saturday, June 25 ................................................................................................................. 7 Sunday, June 26 .................................................................................................................... 7 Featured Artists ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Play Lab Philosophy and Instructions ................................................................................................. 14 Play Lab Cast Lists Saturday, June 18 ............................................................................................................... 15 Sunday, June 19 .................................................................................................................. 16 Monday, June 20 ................................................................................................................. 18 Tuesday, June 21 ................................................................................................................ 20 Wednesday, June 22 ........................................................................................................... 22 Thursday, June 23 ............................................................................................................... 24 Friday, June 24 .................................................................................................................... 26 Saturday, June 25 ............................................................................................................... 28 Tribute to Jerry Harper ........................................................................................................................ 31 Tribute to Mel Gussow ........................................................................................................................ 31 New Voices.......................................................................................................................................... 32 Fringe Festival Schedule ..................................................................................................................... 41 Play Lab Readers ................................................................................................................................42 Theatre Conference Staff ................................................................................................................... 58 Tribute to Anita Pritchard ..................................................................................................................... 59 Local Discounts ................................................................................................................................... 59 Benefactors ......................................................................................................................... Back Cover 4 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CONFERENCE EVENTS SUNDAY, JUNE 19 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. Dramatic Structure Writing Workshop with Gary Daily registration in the foyer of the Civic Center. Garrison, Part II The Play Lab: The public is invited to readings of new 10:45 a.m. Self-Producing for Playwrights with Danielle works with panelists interacting with playwrights and Dresden readers. Respondents include: 12:15 p.m. Lunch served Danielle Dresden, Gary Garrison, Michael Hood, Steve 1:00 p.m. Play Lab Hunt, Jon Klein, Barclay Kopchak, Colby Kullman, Mark A: Dennis Porter’s Bragging Rights Lutwak, Gregory Lawrence Pulver, Elaine Romero, B: Michael L. Counts’ Beautiful Deceivers Laura Shamas, Kate Snodgrass, Aoise Stratford, Jayne 2:00 p.m. Play Lab Wenger, John Yearley, and Y York A: Terence Patrick Hughes’ Benched 3:15 p.m. Play Lab ______________________________________________________ A: Andrew Day’s Equal Opportunity B: Schatzie Schaefers’ Asparagus 4:00 p.m. Play Lab FRIDAY, JUNE 17 A: Sandra Hosking’s Bemused 10:00 a.m. Registration Begins B: Matthew Keuter’s After Sunsets, Claire 7:00 p.m. The Alaska Film Festival Evening of Short Films 7:30 p.m. Columbinus, presented by Juneau’s Perseverance Theatre, followed by a reception ______________________________________________________ in the Civic Center Foyer. 10:00 p.m. Fringe Festival at the Totem Inn SATURDAY, JUNE 18 9:00 a.m. Theatre Conference Orientation Panel with Dawson ______________________________________________________ Moore, Danielle Dresden, Steve Hunt, Barclay Kopchak, Colby Kullman, and Aoise Stratford 10:00 a.m. Pros and Cons of Workshopping Your New Play MONDAY, JUNE 20 (how much is too much) with Erma Duricko, Jayne Wenger, 9:00 a.m. Play Lab and John Yearley A: Mark Muro’s Eccentricities of a Monkey Rat 11:00 a.m. Myth Adaptation for Playwrights with Laura Shamas B: Jason Grote’s The Tale of Yaha Al-Husayni Amongst the 12:15 p.m. Lunch Served Dead 1:00 p.m. Play Lab C: Jim Guthrie’s The Goose Hangs High A: James Meiser’s An Automated Affair 9:45 a.m. Play Lab B: Lonn Pressnall’s Freeman Shall Stand A: Shaun McCanna’s Lizards and Drivers and Bears 2:15 p.m. Play Lab B: Pamela Jamrusz-Mencher’s The Truth About Mother A: Doreen Ransom’s Missing Persons C: William Stanton Gehler’s Mom’s Last Night Out B: Scott Munson’s Paradise Lost 10:45 a.m. Playwriting Workshop “Finding the Voice Within” with 3:30 p.m. Dramatic Structure Writing Workshop with Gary Elaine Romero (simultaneous) Garrison, Part One (simultaneous) 10: 45 Finding Your Place on Stage: A Workshop in Stage 3:30 p.m. Acting in New Plays and Creating a Role with Jayne Movement for Actors and Directors with Michael Hood Wenger (simultaneous) (simultaneous) 5:00 p.m. Welcome Reception fish fry on the Civic Center lawn 12:15 p.m. Lunch Served for Conference participants. 1:00 p.m. Panel Discussion on New Play Development with Jon 7:00 p.m. Klein, Mark Lutwak, and Jayne Wenger The Alaska Film Festival presents Shawn Ku’s Pretty Dead 2:00 p.m. Writing Docudrama with Jon Klein Girl followed by a discussion with the filmmaker and a 3:00 p.m. Play Lab reception in the Civic Center Foyer. A: Linda