Public Employee Press

Theater Works for budding actors and writers

By JANE LaTOUR

On June 26, moments after her fellow playwrights and professional actors presented her two original theater pieces — “Sexual Harassment Don’t Pay” and “The Ruler” — before a live audience, Ida Kelly shared her feelings: “I’m elated,” she said.

Ms. Kelly, a member of Clerical-Administrative Local 1549, has worked for the Police Dept. for 14 years. She took advantage of the 12-week Theater Works Program offered by the DC 37 Education Fund and the Working Theater. “I had done a little playwriting. I wrote my first play when I was 19 years old,” she said, “but I wanted to learn more.”

Ms. Kelly’s friend Ellen Maxwell, a Local 1549 member at the Dept. of Health, was in the audience. “I loved it,” she said. “I’m a playgoer anyway. Now I’m thinking about participating in the program.”

Program Coordinator Cathy Browne said, “The program provides a creative outlet for our members, where they are really able to increase their self-confidence and their speaking and writing skills.”

For Sigfrido Benitez, a Supervising Activities Therapist at Harlem Hospital, the program was his first experience with playwriting and acting.

“We got into things that prepare you to write —experimental things, like improvising, public speaking, interactive games. The tools and techniques were exciting and let you look at things with a different perspective,” he said. “The instructor was good at keeping me on board. He was very sensitive and accessible to all the students,” said Mr. Benitez, a member of Local 299.

“Since I already wrote poetry, the instructor suggested that I write my piece in poetic form,” said Marilyn Khadijah Lee, an Eligibility Specialist for the Human Resources Administration. “It was a challenge and it was fun and it required a lot of discipline, especially on Saturdays!” she said.

Mr. Alexander, the workshop facilitator and director, has been involved in the theater since 1975. “The workshop is a step-by-step process,” he said. “We start with typical acting exercises. In class, we focus on work-related conflicts. In the beginning, the students are tentative. But being able to write about what they know helps them to feel more confident.” The 12-week program provides space for growth.

“Theater Works surpassed our expectations,” said Education Fund Administrator Barbara Kairson. “We see the program as yet another creative and innovative way to help our members develop their communication skills. I hope it will continue and grow,” she said.

Theater Works classes begin again on Saturdays this fall at DC 37, 125 Barclay St. For additional information, call Cathy Browne at 212-815-1676.