A group of local writers will take their original works to the stage starting next week, as Scene One Theatre prepares for "Tales from the Rough Writers."
Mark Wegman, with Scene One, said the Rough Writers is a group of about 20 or so people in the Jefferson City area who meet regularly to go over their writing and solicit feedback and critiques. The show starting Nov. 7 will be the first time members of the group perform their works live.
"It's a first time installment for a show that's like this," Wegman said. "It's something new and different. It's very unique."
Wegman said most of the works are short plays, but there will also be skits, prose, poetry and original music from Erin Lammers, a Helias High School student who writes and performs her own original songs. The plays that will be presented have been written by Mary Jo LaCorte, Lainie Vansant, Barry Beach, Keenan McMahon and Amy Pringer. Other writers who will present their work include Leah Drummond, John R. Short III, Kim Bolton, Brian Bray, Melanie Thompson and Jennifer Rackers.
The Rough Writers, who take their name from former President Theodore Roosevelt's famous Rough Riders of the Spanish-American War, grew out of Scene One's regular group, Wegman said, when several people decided they wanted to try play writing.
"The creative juices flow and they inspire one another," Wegman said of the group.
He said he's very excited to see the audience reaction to the group's original works, noting audiences can expect a mix of drama and comedy, with the first act being more dramatic and the second act being a bit lighter and funnier. But more than anything, he said, audiences should expect anything.
"It's just a mixed bag of everything," Wegman said. "It'll be one big party, but it will be a very artistic night as well."
"Tales from the Rough Writers" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7-9 and 14-16 at Scene One Theatre, 623 Ohio St. Shrunken Head will be on site to provide tropical drinks. Tickets are available for $10. To purchase tickets, email [email protected] or call 573-635-6713.