New Theater App SCRIPTOPIA to Lauch 5/1

SCRIPTOPIA - a new software application that will usher play development and theater collaboration into the 21st century - is being launched May 1st, according to its founder, stage director Kay Matschullat. Ms. Matschullat was joined in the creation of SCRIPTOPIA by Andrew Mirsky and Marc Huey.

SCRIPTOPIA will be unveiled on May 1 (3 to 5 pm) - at an event featuring the creators and theater artists who will demonstrate the app - at the Lark Play Development Center (311 W. 43 St.) in New York City. Register at www.scriptopia.eventbrite.com or call 323-682-0097.

Available on computers, tablets and smart phones, SCRIPTOPIA promises to revolutionize the development and rehearsal process for playwrights, directors and theater artists everywhere by streamlining some of the theater's most crucial, time-honored, time-consuming and archaic practices - script changes.

Among the leading features of SCRIPTOPIA: --writer's script changes go instantaneously to artistic team --instant comparison between old and new versions of the script --revisions can be shared and heard immediately --actors can highlight scripts - and save personal notes through various re-writes -- with one click --directors and stage managers can instantly share notes selectively or with all members of the company --stage managers can share blocking notes without interruption --sides at auditions a thing of the past --time and money-saver making efficient use of working hours --paper-saving practice that is good for the planet! --a myriad of advantages particular to the artist's discipline and needs

According to Ms. Matschullat, a director who has taught actors and directors at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts for 20 years, "I created SCRIPTOPIA so theater artists can spend more time on their art and less time on frustrating delays at the copy machine and otherwise. I wanted to create a tool that enabled changes to be shared instantaneously, allowing everyone to be on the same page, literally and metaphorically. During the many months that we have been developing SCRIPTOPIA, more and more ways for the application to serve the playwright, director, actors and stage managers have emerged. We intend for artists' collaboration to be smoother, more artistically fulfilling and closer to a 'utopian' work environment as rehearsal and development time becomes more crucial - whether its regional theater, Broadway, workshop or summer stock."

She adds that developing the application in real-time with theater artists at the Lark, New Georges Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and The Center Theater provided insight into how to refine the software to best suit its users.

In addition to saving precious time in and out of the rehearsal room, director Kwame Kwei-Armah, who recently directed Dominique Morisseau's SKELETON CREW with the help of SCRIPTOPIA, remarks, "The ability to send notes privately or to the group without interrupting rehearsal is incredibly valuable. They arrive instantaneously and effortlessly. Notes between the playwright and director happen seamlessly, discreetly and productively without distracting the actors. It's life-transforming - I love it."

Even paper-oriented stage managers such as Matt Van Slyke have noted, "I loved the freedom that no paper gave me and the artistic team. Re-writes moved instantly and we never moved to the copy machine. It was especially helpful during a stand-in rehearsal as all of the actor's blocking was neatly accessible in the margins."
For further information about SCRIPTOPIA, visit www.scriptopia.co. To register for the May 1st event, call 323-682-0997 or go to www.scriptopia.eventbrite.com.