Playwrights hone their craft weekly at free Insurgo workshops

The Insurgo Theater Movement has made its way to the Plaza , 1 S. Main St., and the company has wasted no time in getting valley playwrights, actors and theater enthusiasts involved.

Insurgo, which opened its new location in September, is offering a free workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. every Saturday through March 10, 2012. Playwrights at the Plaza provides an opportunity for local playwrights to read their works and receive feedback from attendees, including Insurgo's Ernie Curcio, who leads the workshop.

Curcio said the idea behind the workshop is for aspiring writers to develop plays with the intention of having them produced by the Insurgo Theater Movement.

"The primary goal of the workshop is for more writers to emerge and for more playwrights to have their plays read, usually for the first time," Curcio said.

Curcio said the workshop also serves as an avenue for rookies to get their feet in the door of playwriting techniques.

"(The workshop) can help get another mode of expression out there," Curcio said. "I hope it gives more people who haven't written before or haven't written in awhile a place to work and refine their tools."

The first workshop on Nov. 12 drew 10 people to the Plaza, in addition to Curcio and Insurgo's artistic director, John Beane.

Several attendees volunteered to read aloud the scripts of two playwrights' works and provide constructive feedback .

Playwright Ron Grant had his work "Cuckoo's Nest Casino " read aloud at the workshop. Grant said Playwrights at the Plaza is beneficial to local playwrights and the transformation of downtown's cultural scene.

"I think (the workshop) is wonderful because it gives an opening for local playwrights to share their plays with people," Grant said. "I think it also helps with the movement to get culture in the downtown area."

With the goal of Insurgo producing original works from local playwrights in the coming months, Beane said he was pleased with what was presented at the first workshop.

"For the playwrights here, (writing) is obviously something personal," Beane said. "It's something very crafted, and it's the result of a lot of years of work. It's very enlightening to see the points of view and new people here."

Although the workshop focuses on playwrights, Curcio said there is a need for actors to attend, too.

"We're definitely looking for actors to read, and we want to get as many as possible," Curcio said. "It's also a good opportunity for networking and a place to hobnob with other theater people."

Beane said there are incentives for those wanting to attend the workshops, either as a playwright or an actor.

"What we can guarantee is honesty and feedback from people who live and breathe (theater)," Beane said. "With the Plaza residency and the opportunity to present our work here, it's truly an honor to offer this (workshop) to the public in this setting."

For more information about Playwrights at the Plaza, call 883-5500 or email Ernie Curcio at erniec@insurgotheater.org.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-0492.