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Public Employee Press
A hit for audience, actors
and writers Budding authors
joined professional actors on stage in performing their original plays as the
unions Theater Works program showcased eight short comedies and tragedies
May 14 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.
The DC 37 Education Fund
presents the course in conjunction with the Working Theater. The program combines
writing and acting under the tutelage of professional theater people to help students
enhance their writing and speaking skills while they build self-confidence.
This
year, the union offered two levels of Theater Works one for beginners and
a second level for old hands, such as Gail Baskerville, who was back for the third
time. The Local 372 member lent her talent for comedic acting to Homeless
and Friendship, by classmate Dehavilyn Jones. Baskerville also acted in
her own heart-wrenching play, Call Me Billie, which was inspired by
her twin sister, who died two years ago. She would do that dress
up and lip-sync and she bore a resemblance to Billie Holiday, said
Baskerville.
Ed Fund Assistant Director Cathy Browne took the stage at
the end of the evening and pointed out that, every writer starts at the
same place, with a blank piece of paper in front of them.
Local 154
member Melvin Ford, a 24-year veteran in the Comptrollers office, scored
a hit with his first play, the humorous Loftus and Quebec. Ford findsinspiration
all around him. In class, they told us to develop a world, to build in conflict,
and to create characters with a recognizable identity and motivation for their
actions, he explained.
Computer Specialist Olga Bautina, a member
of Local 2627, is an immigrant from Russia. I lived on the shore of the
Volga River and have many stories I want to tell about the people I remember,
she said. Bautina tackles the blank page on weekends, she said. I need to
really spend time to make something significant happen.
The classroom
and acting experiences keep the students coming back. Baskerville explained, I
get to act on stage and meet new people I end up loving. Its therapeutic,
relaxing, and enjoyable.
Despite some clunky clichés and the
clanking mechanics of first-time efforts, the students had the moxie to get up
on stage and the determination to complete their own dramas. For further information
or to register, call Cathy Browne at 212-815-1676 or get the registration form
online at www.
dc37.net. Jane LaTour | |