Monthly Archives: July 2017

Here are the 7 winning plays (out of 33 submitted, all by NC writers), to be performed this November!

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We are proud and excited to announce the return of the return of this super-fun and mega-exciting venture from two years ago! The show will be produced Tue-Thu 8pm Nov 14-16 2017 at Cary’s “Fortnight Brewing” (1006 SW Maynard Rd. 27511). Admission will be by donation (suggested: $10 cash – no tickets or reservations, just come on out! PG13).

“Come grab a drink at your local bar and watch a variety of plays unfold right before your eyes! Some will be over before you finish your drink; others will have you calling for another round. All are guaranteed to leave you buzzed.”

Live original music tailored to the plays written and performed by Alice Osborn!

Come early and partake from the food truck! 11/14: Adobo Joe Filipino, 11/15: Grill, 11/16: Curry in a Hurry

Hear Glenn Greggs interview BP3 producer Sean Malone et al on his CPF Radio Hour show!

Check out Bar Plays 2.0 and Bar Plays 1.0!

Questions? Ask us here.

Please invite your local friends at our public Facebook Event!

Master Class Series: “Directing for Writers” workshop (age 16 & up) –  Saturdays Sep 9–30, noon-2 p.m.

Explore potential pitfalls and opportunities that exist in the collaboration between director and playwright and how to create a rewarding collaboration for both parties. Includes “hands-on” practicum culminating in a staged reading of new work from our recent writing classes.

Burning Coal Theatre Company member and MFA Fred Corlett instructs (bio below).

Location: Cary Arts Center (101 Dry Ave, Cary, NC 27511)
Fees: $50 (4 classes) – registration will be available Aug 7 (Cary residents – otherwise Aug 21) through the Town of Cary programs (class #106926)

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FRED CORLETT’S BIO:

My theatre career began in 1965, as a junior at Broughton High School, where I played Chief Sitting Bull in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.  That began a history of playing non-singing roles in musicals.  While still in high school I became a fixture at the Raleigh Little Theatre where I learned the ancient and hallowed traditions of the theatre.  I learned about tech.  I built sets, hung lights, and pulled curtains (remember them?).  I would eventually act in, or direct, 18 productions (under 8 different directors) over a 50 year period for RLT – the greatest training ground anyone could wish for.

In 1968 I served an Equity Apprenticeship at the State Theatre of N.C. called the Vagabond Playhouse, in Flat Rock.  I built 10 sets that summer, and played Paris in ROMEO AND JULIET, and the Tin Man in THE WIZARD OF OZ.

From 1967 to 1971 I worked in the BFA program in Dramatic Art at UNC – Chapel Hill, specializing in directing.  Haskell Fitzsimmons and I were the first BFA directing majors to graduate from UNC.  I returned to Raleigh for 4 years where I performed at RLT and the new Theatre in the Park.  TIP produced original productions every year, mostly written by the director, David Wood.  I was in 2 original productions there, both directed by the playwright (one of whom was to become Broadway star Terence Mann).  I also directed the first of 2 productions I would direct for RLT.

In 1976 I returned to Chapel Hill and earned an MFA in directing in 1978.  Haskell would get the same degree a year later, and become the  Artistic Director for RLT for 30 years (directing me in 3 productions).  It was while working on my MFA that I directed my first production where the playwright was present for rehearsal.  It was not always amicable.

Immediately after graduation I joined the N.C. Visiting Artist Program, co-sponsored by the N.C. Arts Council and the N.C. Community College System.  I did paid residencies at Anson Community College and Rowan Community College.  I followed this with a residency in the Artist in the Schools Program in Franklin, N.C.  There I directed 20 one-act plays in one semester at the High School in addition to creative drama workshops at the Middle School.

During the 4 summers between those residencies I stage managed the Outdoor Drama UNTO THESE HILLS on the Cherokee Reservation.

From 1983 – 1986 I lived in New York City, where I stage managed 10 shows, acted in 2, and directed one.  Both shows I was in were directed by the playwright.

In 1986 I moved to Concord, N.C. where I designed lights, acted, and taught acting at The Old Courthouse Theatre.  In 1989 I moved to Cleveland, N.C. and acted for the Piedmont Players in Salisbury, and directed for the Statesville Little Theatre.  In 1993 I moved back to Raleigh and continued to act and direct at the 2 excellent community theatres.

In 2008 I would begin working at The Burning Coal Theatre, which is an Equity house, and has become my theatrical home.  Two of the plays I performed in there were original, and the playwrights were able to attend rehearsals.  They were professionally directed by 2 of the best directors I have ever worked for, and the symbiosis was extraordinary.  I have also directed 3 shows there with the playwrights in residence, one of which required several hours of discussion over multiple days to hammer out a common vision.  I continue to be a member of the Artistic Company, and will be acting in the first play of the 2017/2018 season.

At about the time I started working with Burning Coal I directed an independently produced original play at the Common Ground Theatre in Durham in which the playwright attended most rehearsals.  I respected his work,  and he frequently acquiesced to my interpretation.  We remain good friends to this day.