Tue 1/18 @ 4:30-6:30PM
Mindy Herman has been organizing the Dark Room open mics at Cleveland Public Theatre’s Church at CPT for years, offering a chance for writers to hear their new material read aloud by cast-on-the-spot actors. Now she’s taking the same general concept to a different venue and targeting a different and specific group of writers and performers: LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 15-20.
She describes it as a “free theater education program for young playwrights, actors and artists,” in partnership with Studio West 117, part of the new LGBTQ+ complex being developed around West 117th Street and Detroit Avenue.
The Text Kitchen, as she’s dubbed it, has a slightly more educational bent than Dark Room (it’s described as an “after-school writing and acting workshop”), although it runs in a similar manner. Writers bring up to 12 pages of new work of any genre — monologue, dialogue, script, screenplay, spoken word — and actors who show up are cast on the spot by the audience, open mic-style. No registration is required but writer should be sure to bring enough copies for the number of actors they need. The audience will also offer performers and writers feedback to help them develop their work and their level of professionalism.
While it’s targeted to LGBTQ+ youth, all young people with open minds and hearts are welcome. You’re welcome to come watch and listen too!
The Text Kitchen will be taking place every third Tuesday of the month, starting this month at The Mansion at Studio West (11210 Detroit Road). For more information email Mindy at info@theumbrellatheatre.com.