Bloomington Playwrights Project forms an 'Ensemble of Artists'

They range from undergraduates to middle-aged, and in clothing from professional to jeans and a sweatshirt, but they have one goal: theater collaboration.\nRichard Perez formed the Ensemble of Artists after he became artistic director of the Bloomington Playwrights Project in July 2002. A group of writers already existed at the BPP, but Perez wanted a group that would combine writers, directors, actors and tech people. He said he admired theater companies such as Chicago's Steppenwolf that have an ensemble responsible for the growth of the group.\n"The whole idea is to have an incubator for talent," Perez said.\nWhen he formed the group, Perez began by scouting different theater productions in Bloomington, inviting 12 or 13 people overall to join the group. Today, the Ensemble of Artists has 33 members, including writers, actors, directors and people who work with the technical aspects of theater. The Ensemble of Artists produces three annual events -- "The Blizzard," "The Playoffs" and "Alone in the Light," which are all compilations of original works. Doing original works is what makes the Ensemble of Artists and the BPP unique, Perez said.\n"It's one thing to get plays that are already written and do them," he said, "But there are specific requirements needed to produce a new work, which an artist can't prepare for in advance."\n"The Playoffs" is a group of short plays that are written, rehearsed and performed in 24 hours. "The Blizzard," formerly called the "Ballot Box Blitz," is a collection of 30 original ultra-short plays, each three minutes or less in length. "Alone in the Light," which will take place at 7 p.m. April 1-3 at the BPP, pairs writers and actors to create original monologues lasting three or four minutes. In each production, audience members vote with money on which piece they like the best and a cash prize goes to the winning piece's writer.\nMembers of the Ensemble of Artists also help with the day-to-day running of the BPP and given first consideration for shows on the main stage.\n"That's one of the perks," said Perez.\nWhen members of the Ensemble are not cast in main stage shows, productions such as "Alone in the Light" offer them another opportunity to act, said Lori Garraghty, a member of the Ensemble of Artists.\n"We're all trying to develop a craft," she said. \nDuring the meeting Sunday, some of the actors performed their pieces for "Alone in the Light" for the group, and members of the group gave feedback to the actors as well as the writers of the pieces.\n"Everyone gets positive feedback," said Roshaunda Ross, a member of the Ensemble. "We're all very supportive."\nHal Kibbey was one of the founding members of the Ensemble of Artists and is also part of the writers' group that meets weekly to share works in progress. He said he finds both groups to be great tools for the artist.\n"It helps all of us," Kibbey said.\n-- Contact Staff Writer David Charles at dacharle@indiana.edu.