Inside the Play: Alley Theatre Lifts the Curtain on the Creative Process, Provides Insider Access

Ever wondered how a play evolves from script to staged production? Experience the creative process for yourself at the first annual Alley All New Festival on two consecutive weekends, now through February 7.

The Alley Theatre’s new initiative presents readings and workshops of six new works, ranging from a hip-hop play to an au courant political drama, a historical backstage romance and a musical in progress, plus an early draft preview of a Mark Twain adaptation. Each performance features Alley Resident Company members working alongside playwrights, directors, actors and designers from around the country and concludes with a post-show conversation led by a member of the artistic team. See a show more than once to discover how a production evolves in the crucible of live public performance.

All performances are free, but the purchase of a Weekend Package ($115 per weekend) grants you a true insider’s experience, with reserved seating and access to meals and special events with the artists. Seating is extremely limited, and some performances are already sold out, so be sure to secure your Weekend Pass or reserve your free seats early. For more information, visit alleytheatre.org/allnew or call 713.220.5700. (Note that all material is intended for mature audiences.)

Presented are workshops of Miller, Mississippi (by Boo Killebrew; directed by Lee Sunday Evans), Roz and Ray (by Karen Hartman; directed by Chay Yew), and Syncing Ink (by NSangou Njikam, aka Glenn Gordon; directed by Niegel Smith) as well as readings of Cleo (by Lawrence Wright; directed by Bob Balaban), The Harassment of Iris Malloy (by Zak Berkman; directed by Brandon Weinbrenner) and Songs from Mrs. Mannerly, A Musical in Progress (music by Michael Moricz; lyrics by Jack Murphy; based on the play by Jeffrey Hatcher; directed by Gregory Boyd), as well as an early draft preview of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (by Kenneth Lin; adapted from the novel by Mark Twain). All performances take place in the Alley’s Neuhaus Theatre unless otherwise noted.

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, January 28
7:30 pm – Workshop: Roz and Ray

Friday, January 29
8 pm – Workshop: Miller, Mississippi

Saturday, January 30
11 am – Workshop: Syncing Ink
3:30 pm – Workshop: Miller, Mississippi
8 pm – Workshop:  Roz and Ray

Sunday, January 31
2:30 pm – Workshop: Roz and Ray
7:30 pm – Workshop: Miller, Mississippi

Thursday, February 4
7:30 pm – Workshop: Miller, Mississippi

Friday, February 5
3 pm – Reading: Songs from Mrs. Mannerly, A Musical in Progress (Texas Room) — SOLD OUT
8 pm – Workshop: Syncing Ink

Saturday, February 6
11 am – Reading: Cleo — SOLD OUT
3:30 pm – Workshop: Roz and Ray
8 pm – Workshop: Miller, Mississippi

Sunday, February 7
11 am – Early draft preview: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn — Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd will lead a discussion with Lin; Alley company members will read scenes from the play (Hubbard Theatre)
Noon – Reading: The Harassment of Iris Malloy — SOLD OUT
3 pm – Reading: Songs from Mrs. Mannerly, A Musical in Progress (Texas Room) — SOLD OUT
3 pm – Workshop: Syncing Ink
7:30 pm – Workshop: Roz and Ray