In the Moment: the Jewish Plays Project at the JCC
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| Sarah Berry [JPP] |
By David Siegel
We
in the D.C. theater community are constantly on the prowl for new voices with
diverse mindsets and new plays on emerging issues.
There
are many ongoing efforts to bring new playwrights and plays to the attention of
theater leadership, current patrons, and a new generation of theater-goers. One
such effort is the Jewish Plays Project (JPP), which
aims to be not merely a comfortable niche program for Jewish audiences, but to present
challenging works to a mainstream audience.
are many ongoing efforts to bring new playwrights and plays to the attention of
theater leadership, current patrons, and a new generation of theater-goers. One
such effort is the Jewish Plays Project (JPP), which
aims to be not merely a comfortable niche program for Jewish audiences, but to present
challenging works to a mainstream audience.
The
JPP seeks out new plays that are “contemporary and vital,” says David Winitsky,
founder and artistic director. “We are interested in plays that are about
more than just Jewish people.” JPP aims to develop and put “bold, progressive
Jewish conversations on world stages.”
Each
year, hundreds of new plays are submitted to the JPP. Ten of them are judged at
local venues prior to selection of a national winner. The Jewish Community
Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) recently hosted the initial screening of
the 10 new plays for 2017.
year, hundreds of new plays are submitted to the JPP. Ten of them are judged at
local venues prior to selection of a national winner. The Jewish Community
Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) recently hosted the initial screening of
the 10 new plays for 2017.
A
panel of local artists and long-time theater-goers read and discussed the 10
plays and selected three to advance in the national
playwriting contest.
panel of local artists and long-time theater-goers read and discussed the 10
plays and selected three to advance in the national
playwriting contest.
On Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m., at the JCCNV, the three selections will each have a 20-minute scene reading. Audience members
will have the opportunity to discuss the plays and then cast ballots for the best
new Jewish play of 2017.
will have the opportunity to discuss the plays and then cast ballots for the best
new Jewish play of 2017.
The
three plays and playwrights are:
three plays and playwrights are:
- “How to Conquer America: A Mostly True History of Yogurt,” by David Meyers of Los Angeles—A woman uses the play she is in to work through her issues with her deceased father, by way of remembering her greatest triumph as a woman breaking into advertising in the 1970s.
- “Book of Esther,” by Gina Stevensen of Brooklyn, N.Y.—An Orthodox 17-year-old girl in Brooklyn questions her life and pushes beyond the boundaries.
- “Sonata for Four Hands,” by Bridget Erin of Denham Springs, La.—A mother and her surrogate daughter walk through memories of their musically inclined childhood to deal with the grief of her son’s passing while serving as military police in Israel.
“Those attending the JCCNV readings will use their cell phones to vote on a winner to become a part of a vibrant national conversation about the future of Jewish theatrical arts,” Winitsky says.
“The
three plays, which tackle contemporary issues in Jewish identity, would illicit
a response even without the voting process,” says Sarah Berry, director of
cultural affairs at the JCCNV. “Everyone,
regardless of their previous experience in theater or as an audience member,
will leave knowing they were part of the process of voting for the best Jewish
play of 2017.”
three plays, which tackle contemporary issues in Jewish identity, would illicit
a response even without the voting process,” says Sarah Berry, director of
cultural affairs at the JCCNV. “Everyone,
regardless of their previous experience in theater or as an audience member,
will leave knowing they were part of the process of voting for the best Jewish
play of 2017.”
“Our entire community embraced the Jewish Plays
Project in 2016,” says Berry. “We are gladly participating again, knowing that the energy and
excitement of hosting the JPP Playwriting Contest brings with it the potential
for excellent theater in the future.”
Project in 2016,” says Berry. “We are gladly participating again, knowing that the energy and
excitement of hosting the JPP Playwriting Contest brings with it the potential
for excellent theater in the future.”
Where and when: The Jewish Plays Project is Feb.
26, 2 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center
of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Tickets are $18, $14
for seniors and JCC members, and $10 for people under 30 (plus a service fee).
Tickets can be purchased online.
26, 2 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center
of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Tickets are $18, $14
for seniors and JCC members, and $10 for people under 30 (plus a service fee).
Tickets can be purchased online.
This article is based on a piece that appeared in DC Metro Theater Arts.
