Local theater gives artists chance to perform

Henrik Ibsen wrote "A Doll's House," and is credited with bringing realism to theater in the form of the modern drama, but his career had a rocky start, and he was nearly 40 years old before any of his works met success. It was probably because Ibsen didn't have the Bloomington Playwrights Project at his disposal.\nAs the politics of writing, acting and directing often dominate the theater world, the BPP, located at 107 W. Ninth St., makes it easier for artists by providing a venue for up-and-coming local artists to get their work exposed to the public. \nThe BPP was founded in 1980 by two IU masters students. Over the years, the BPP has evolved from a traveling organization, literally based out of the back of a car, to a force in the arts community, with its own building, several full-time staff and outreach and education programs to spread the appreciation of writing, acting and directing to Bloomington residents of all ages. \nAlmost three decades old, the BPP boasts hundreds of alumni, many of whom have found success in theater and careers in the performing arts. \nAbout half of those who volunteer or perform at the BPP are from the Bloomington community, while the other half are affiliated with IU. Sonja Johnson is the BPP's development director, and said it is extremely difficult for all of the students within IU's Department of Theater and Drama to participate in one of the relatively few major productions the department stages each year. \n"There are a lot of really talented people who don't get the opportunity to be in a main-stage production at IU," said Johnson. \nFor those students, Johnson said that the BPP provides invaluable experience and public exposure. \nThe benefits to those who stage the play, however, are reciprocal with those that the audience receives. Attendees of BPP performances are given the rare chance to see a production in one of its first few runs. Usually audiences only get the opportunity to see newly staged plays in large theater meccas like Chicago and New York City. \nNot only are the BPP's productions new and fresh, but they are also edgy and often controversial. A recent BPP staging of Alan Brody's "Housewives of Mannheim" tackled homosexuality, feminism and gender roles. While none of these subjects would make polite dinner table conversation, or at least not the kind of conversation that doesn't end in food-throwing, such topics are normal fare for the BPP connoisseur. \n"We're very interested in showing very different mindsets and ideas that aren't always popular with everybody," said Richard Perez, BPP artistic director. \nMany plays that the BPP stages deal with current social and political issues, subjects on which it seems no one has the same opinion. But patrons of the BPP rarely raise issues over normally divisive subjects, which Perez attributes to their open-mindedness and willingness to have their views challenged. \n"I think a lot of people who come to our doors are looking for a different perspective," Perez said.\nBeginning June 21, the BPP will be staging "Mr. Postman," a one-act dark comedy by Julia Weiss. \nTo close its season, the organization will host a "Vintage Scenes" program June 29 at the Oliver Winery, featuring several short plays that have been performed at the BPP in the past. \nFor ticket reservation and information, call 355-9001.