Recently, I received an email from a woman who had seen one of my plays 7 years ago, and just found out that I was the playwright of that play, and wrote to me saying she was going to submit one of her plays for our Winterfest theatre festival, but if my work as a playwright was any indication of my work as Artistic Director, her play and our theatre festival would not be a good match.

Curious communication?  So I wrote back.

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Thanks for the note, Nancy.  

We actually have NOT put out a call for scripts.  We put out a call for PLAY Productions. 

In choosing productions, we are open to all types of theatre and stories.  My ideas of theatre does not limit the creativity of the play productions that we accept.  My writing and my work has nothing to do with the play productions that we accept here. Manhattan Rep fosters and supports creativity - Not JUDGEMENT - my opinion as to what is good theatre and what is not good theatre is a moot point when I look at a script, for a script is not a play until it is on it’s feet, created with actors, designers and a director. We choose productions based on professionalism of the submission, basic coherency of the writing, set and lighting requirements, Producers experience and commitment level, and subject matter in relation to other possible plays in any given festival.  Honestly, who am I to say that a play production is BAD, if I haven’t seen it.  

Years ago, we received a script of a play about a girl and her adventures in Catholic school.  When I first read it, it just seemed cheesy and kinda silly, filled with some really goofy often childish jokes.  Because the producer was so committed to this project, and all was presented professionally, we decided to give it a try.

And it was the BEST PLAY our SUMMERFEST play festival.  I didn’t see the directors’ context. I didn’t experience the lead actor’s perspective and come-from when delivering what I had originally thought was cheesy.

 
CHEESY became BRILLIANT in production, and it blew away my perceptions of play reading forever.

There is one type of script that we don’t accept ever, and that is what I call a HATE script.  I don’t want to foster hate in any capacity, whether it is in the theatre, or in email communication. I’m sure your view on Mr. Cupcake is colored by your beliefs and your perceptions based on your life experience and I honor that, and I respect it. But, with all due respect, I have to beg to differ when you infer that your OPINION of my work as a playwright represents the work I do as Artistic Director of Manhattan Rep.

Please check out  http://www.thepeopleinmyhips.com

It is the blog of my last play - it outlines the true story of my one man show and it is all about possibility even in the face of incredible obstacles.  There is always in any context, possibility for change, for compassion, for understanding another’s context and for healing.

 
Let’s do lunch sometime, or late afternoon coffee.  I would love, honestly, to talk further about all.

With best regards,
Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre
http://www.manhattanrep.commanhattanrep@yahoo.com”
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Bottomline, we at Manhattan Rep are not the creativity cops. Our mission is to help playwrights, actors and directors share and explore their craft.  We are not looking for high-minded literary works of paper.  We are looking for passionate creative individuals who want to create THEATRE.

We are currently accepting PRODUCTION submissions for our Winterfest Play Festival.

If you are passionate and professional, the odds are we will get you into the festival, and you can grow, and passionately develop your work.
We are not,  and will never be, The CREATIVITY COPS.

With best regards,

Ken Wolf

Artistic Director

Manhattan Repertory Theatre