Development Workshop Readings for the Baltimore Playwrights Festival Continue Today

The Baltimore Playwrights Festival has scheduled its second round of Play Development Workshop Readings. The readings will be held today, January 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Spotlighters Theatre, 817 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Admission to the readings is free and the public is encouraged to attend, and join the discussion of these works-in-progress with the writers, actors and directors.

The plays and the times they will be presented are:

11:00 AM: Bethesda by Jeannie Berman Eng
directed by Miriam Bazensky
When a disgraced diplomat returns with his family to Bethesda after a scandal abroad, he finds allies and forgiveness are difficult to find.

1:00 PM: Victorious by Jacy D'Aiutolo
directed by Kwame bey Kenyatta
In the world of professional football, a power struggle is emerging behind the scenes between a team's long-time general manager and the new coach. Victorious is an examination of loyalty, ambition, and the price of triumph, set against the backdrop of America's favorite sport.

3:00 PM: Under the Poplar Trees by Rosemary Frisino Toohey
directed by Ryan Howe
Two prisoners, one an idealist, the other a realist, become friends, and long after their days at Dachau, one is haunted by the lively spirit of his old companion.

These three plays are among 85 that were originally submitted to the Festival this year and approximately two-dozen of those have been judged strong enough to be presented as readings over the next several weekends. In April, scripts will be chosen for actual production during June, July, August and judged by a panel of theater professionals. The winner of the "Carol Weinberg Award for Best Play" in the Festival receives an impressive trophy as well as a $250 cash prize.