My new playwriting group, The Drama Lab, had its first meeting last night and everyone agreed it went very well. We had twelve people show up, including four actors and two playwrights beside myself.
I never worried about attracting writers. There's a healthy number of aspiring playwrights out there and we're one of the only places in town where they can see their stuff on a stage.
My big worry has always been actors. While we offer them a great opportunity to practice their craft, they have a lot more places to go.
But I was pleasantly surprised by how many people came just to watch. And I soon realized the incredible gift they bring to the readings. Their comments to the playwrights were spot on, and I know that hearing their laughter--or lack thereof--during the reading of my play helped me nail down which lines needed work.
Sure, playwrights are the ones who turn blank pages into stories. And actors breath life into those stories.
But in the end, it's the audience that makes theatre happen. Without them, we're just shouting into a dark and empty room.
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