University of Washington School of Drama Collaborates on Book-It Repertory Theatre's Novel Workshop Series

The UW School of Drama is collaborating with Book-It Repertory Theatre to explore potential adaptations in several evenings of readings at Meany Studio Theatre on the Seattle campus. MFA acting, directing and design students present selections developed through intensive workshops and master classes. Selections for the 2013 series include: The Count of Monte Cristo, Run, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, and Portrait of a Lady.

Students and audiences alike will have the chance to foster Book-It's unique process of play development. According to Co-Artistic Director Myra Platt "an early reading of a fledgling adaptation with a discerning audience can shortcut development time and help steer a new work . . . it can also tell the company what won't work as a Book-It Style production." Watch as each work is cultivated through collaborative experimentation with the adapter, director and participating actors. Audience responses to initial readings are a valuable step in the process leading to a world-premiere adaptation of the novel as theatre. Explorations in past Novel Workshops that have led to main stage productions for Book-It include Border Songs by Jim Lynch, and Prairie Nocturne by Ivan Doig.

Performances begin Thursday, January 17, and continue through Sunday, January 20. All tickets to this series are $10.

Thursday, January 17, and Saturday, January 19, 7:30 p.m.
The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas (père,)
adapted by Rachel Atkins, directed by David Quicksall
Run, by Ann Patchett,
adapted and directed by Myra Platt

Friday, January 18, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, January 20, 2:00 p.m.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon,
adapted by Jeff Schwager, directed by Josh Aaseng

Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James,
adapted and directed by Annie Lareau