That breath of life

Just had lunch with Jim Jackson, a former circus clown and all-around great guy who does more than anyone else in Colorado Springs to promote the development of new works. With his wife, the incomparable, multitalented Birgitta De Pree, he runs the Manitou Art Theatre, a funky little 87-seat theatre in a former auto body shop on the west side of town.

The reason for our meeting? We decided to start a playwriting group.

It's a real win-win-win. Local playwrights get an opportunity to hear their works read. Local actors get to hone their craft. And Jim and Birgitta get new people into their theater as well as a first look at any production-worthy pieces that come out of the group.

Should be fun. More importantly, it'll get new works off the page and onto the stage. Of all the arts, theatre is the most like life itself -- but it requires good actors to give it that breath of life.

Now all we need is a name...