Because of Omaha’s wealth of actors, directors and theatres, we were blessed to have the GPTC founded in 2006 by Dr. JoAnn McDowell, former president of Metro Community College with the help of her dear friends Edward Albee and actress Patricia Neal. The Grand Olde Players were fortunate to be involved from the very beginning providing actors and directors and Mark Manhart even had several original works read such as 54 H and Pickwick’s Dilemma. The Theatre was awarded Outstanding Contribution to the Community by the Conference in 2008.
Each year there is an honored playwright who presides over the conference with anywhere from 12 to 25 plays selected for staged readings by local and national actors and directors. There is an experienced panel and dramaturg for feedback as well as comments solicited from the public audience. There are also workshops given throughout the week and an atmosphere that allows playwrights to interact with each other as well as the theatre staff in attendance.
Over the years, the GPTC has helped develop hundreds of new American plays. The GPTC continues to grow, honoring both the past and future of the American theatre community. Honored playwrights have included such names as Arthur Kopit, Theresa Rebeck, David Linsay-Abaire and Constance Congdon. Mary Bethe Easley, David Neumann, Kim Gambino, Will Eno and Kip Fagan; among many others, have been and continue to come as guest artists.
This annual conference has created a time when all Omaha’s community theatres, staff, actors and directors can come together and share their talents with regional and national professionals and meet playwrights from across the country. Several of the plays read have been staged by local theatres. Most recently Red Summer written by local playwright Beaufield Berry had its world premiere at the Blue Barn. This evocative piece told the story of William Brown during the Omaha race riots of 1919.
This year 839 submissions are being reviewed with the final lineup to be announced in March. If you are a fan of theatre, this is an excellent opportunity to see really good work and help in bringing it to life on stage. Check out this year’s activity at GPTCPlays.com