BWW Previews: PLAYWRIGHT SLAM at Kansas City Repertory Theatre

What is a "Playwright Slam" anyway? This "Slam" is a free, one evening, Kansas City Repertory Theatre event scheduled to encourage KC writers, performers, and audiences to participate more fully.

For this one evening event, the outer doors to production are cracked open. KC Rep and Director of New Works Marissa Wolf invite established and budding playwrights to bring a one to three page script sample for improvisational performance by actors drawn from the audience.

This "Playwright Slam" is subtitled "La Vie Boheme" or "The Bohemian Life" from a musical number of the same name (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5yK-3iUGQE) out of Steven Sondheim's "Rent." New Works Director Wolf promises an evening that brims with playful humor and surprising revelations.

"Hearing mini plays by an incredible range of Kansas City voices, including theater lovers who have never before shared a word they've written, is utterly thrilling," said Wolf.

In addition to the mini plays, the indigenous band Colectivo Yankuitl will perform as an opener and throughout the evening. According to Wolf, "They are spellbinding, and they'll add a beautiful vitality."

Kansas City Repertory Theatre works to establish the Kansas City area as a major national center for incubation, development, and production of new works. The KC Rep New Works program includes the three production OriginKC New Works Festival during late April 2017 and May 2017, a series of Monday Night Playwright readings of emerging works, and the "Playwright Slam."

The "Playwright Slam" represents an unusual opportunity for attendees. Kansas City Repertory Theater does not ordinarily accept unsolicited submissions except from partner organizations that function as new play development centers.

The "Slam" is scheduled for January 9, 2017 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Spencer Theater Donor Lounge on the UMKC campus. Due to space limitations, attendees are asked to reserve free tickets at the KC Rep Box Office 816-235-2700 or online at www.kcrep.org.

Marissa Wolf is Director of New Works for Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Photo is courtesy of KC Rep.

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