Workshop Productions
RAVEN'S NEW PLAY WORKSHOP SERIES
THE BIRDFEEDER DOESN'T KNOW
by Todd Bauer
directed by Michael Menendian
What happens when care-givers get to the point of needing care?
Herman and Ingrid have only one child and he has a disability. They have always encouraged him to seek assistance in order to attain independence but now, due to the natural flow of life, Herman and Ingrid’s independence is threatened. Choices they found easy and obvious to make for their son, are being resisted and avoided when related to themselves.
When acts, viewed as compassionate when directed at someone else, are seen as insults when directed to oneself, the family unit becomes both echo chamber and torture chamber.
Todd Bauer is a blind playwright, director, and lecturer. His work has been performed in Chicago, New York, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He was awarded an NEA Challenge America Grant while a visiting artist with Visible Theatre in New York and received a fellowship from the Ragdale foundation in 2008, and was nominated for a 3Arts Artist Award in 2011. Todd has taught British and American drama at the Newberry Library in Chicago for ten years and has directed work examining issues of disability at Victory Gardens Theater, and the University of Notre Dame. He earned a B.A. in accounting from Miami University and an M.A. in liberal studies from Northwestern University.
THE BIRDFEEDER DOESN'T KNOW Work Shop performances have been accepted to the Bodies of Work Festival of Disability Art and Culture, which is slated to take place in Chicago on May 15-25, 2013. This city-wide celebration brings forward the contributions of people with disabilities and deepens public discussion about disability experiences.
http://www.bodiesofworkchicago.org/festival.html
May 19, 20, 21 & 22, 2013 at 7:30pm
Tickets: $10
ABOUT RAVEN'S WORKSHOP SERIES
The Workshop Series, which began in 1992, has evolved into a vital aspect of Raven’s artistic commitment to excellence. Our objective is to foster and present new voices of the American stage, with fully rehearsed, fully-staged presentations of new plays to the general public for three nights, on a pay-what-you-can basis, with moderated post show discussions after each performance with the playwright, director and cast. Our Workshop Series provides the company with the opportunity to experiment with new plays, while offering an invaluable laboratory for playwrights, directors and actors to experiment with and showcase new plays.
2013 NEW PLAY WORKSHOP SERIES SUBMISSIONS
Raven Theatre is now accepting submissions for its 2013 New Play Workshop that explores the American family. The selected play will receive a fully-rehearsed three-performance presentation in August 2013. Playwrights are invited to submit 10-page script samples as follows:
- Plays must address the American family in a significant way.
- Playwrights MUST be available to attend rehearsals at Raven Theatre.
- Unproduced plays only; however previous readings and developmental workshops are acceptable.
- Include a 10-PAGE SAMPLE ONLY, plus a synopsis and character breakdown. We will contact you if we would like to see the full script.
- Please email your submissions and contact information to susan@raventheatre.com by November 1, 2012. For further information, contact Susan Lieberman at susan@raventheatre.com.
