Lisa Temple Actor Your Senator, Doctor, Teacher, Mom

Front: Kyle T. Wilson, Michelle Meyers, Bobbi Erwin — Back: Tara Platt, James Roehl, Korama Danquah, Lisa Temple

There’s something about live theatre that is so unique and thrilling!! To bring a character to life in front of an audience (in real time) is one of my favorite things to do! There are often play readings of new plays, so the playwright has an opportunity to hear their words out loud.

Sometimes the actors just sit in a semi-circle and simply read through the play, with a narrator reading the action. Other times, a reading includes staging where the actors walk through basic blocking with scripts in hand. And sometimes the staging is full-blown with props and set pieces, all with scripts still in hand. No matter how it’s done, play readings are an invaluable resource for writers to discover the best version of their play.

In this instance, the playwright is Michelle Meyers, a member of Fell Swoop Playwrights. They’ve got a lot going on! When Michele offered me the role of Mom in her reading, I was so happy! Michelle’s play is called “Picture Perfect”, and it’s a series of snapshot scenes about a family with Mom, Dad, Thip and Franny, their two daughters.

The play explores this family’s dysfunction, mainly due to poor communication, incredibly busy schedules and unhealthy lifestyles. It’s so hard to juggle a career and family, right?! This time we sat in a semi-circle, and all of us in the cast had a great vibe going as a family. Had fun!!

Ck out my September eNewsletter for more info about the reading!