What is a “Staged Reading” vs a “Development Workshop”?
- A “Staged Reading” involves actors sitting in chairs, facing the audience, with scripts on music stands. The performance is done primarily through their voices and facial expressions and minimal body movements. The actors will typically stand when reading their lines (with little memorization), and they may look at and interact with others who are also in the scene and standing. Stage Directions are read by a Stage Manager. There is no real set, and rarely are there any costumes or props. At best, lighting is a general wash. Actors should be familiar with the script and perform with emotion. Staged Readings are used when a playwright mostly wants to HEAR the play. If the playwright has not yet held a Play Reading with a full script, this is where they should typically start. The “Competition for a Full Production Run” is NOT intended to be a “Workshop”.
- A “Development Workshop” is intended to work through and improve an existing script with a facilitator, the cast and the playwright. Scripts given workshops are not in their final form, and would not be appropriate to present to a full audience. Workshops typically last 1 week, and after rewrites, it will often culminate with a Staged Reading.