SCR Will Give Voice, Ears to Pacific Writers

South Coast Repertory has slated seven new plays--two in workshop productions and five in readings--for its previously announced Pacific Playwrights Festival in Costa Mesa.

The June 18-28 gathering of writers, artistic directors and literary staffs from regional theater companies of several Western states and the Pacific Rim will feature costumed mountings of Anthony Clarvoe’s “Walking Off the Roof” and Cusi Cram’s “Landlocked.”

Each play will receive six workshop performances on SCR’s Second Stage:

* “Walking on the Roof,” about a chain of love affairs among thirtysomethings and an angst-ridden identity crisis, will run June 18, 24 and 27, 8 p.m.; June 20, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; and June 28, 2:30 p.m.

* “Landlocked,” an absurdist comedy involving lost teeth that end up in a collage and a Swiss artist with many suitors, will run June 19 and 26, 8 p.m.; June 21, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m; June 27, 2:30 p.m.; and June 28, 7:30 p.m.

Readings on the SCR Mainstage:

* Howard Korder’s “The Hollow Lands,” about an Irish immigrant on an epic 19th century journey across America (June 19, 3 p.m., and June 28, 10 a.m.);

* Chris Van Groningen’s “The Mechanics,” involving a man in search of his youth and the family he didn’t appreciate (June 26, 1 p.m.);

* John Glore’s “On the Jump,” about a woman who is robbed and abandoned by her husband on her wedding night (June 26, 3 p.m.);

* Jessica Hagedorn’s “Dogeaters,” a surreal comedy set in the Philippines that jumps from the 1950s to the ‘80s (June 27, 10:30 a.m.).

One reading will be on the Second Stage: Karen Zacarias’ “The Sins of Sor Juana,” about a 17th century maiden in the viceroy’s court who falls in love, joins a nunnery and becomes Mexico’s first feminist, a published poet who challenges the establishment (June 25, 8 p.m.).

SCR artistic director Martin Benson has said he and producing artistic director David Emmes want to forge stronger ties among West Coast theaters by creating a play festival with a national reach. No plans for other festivals have been announced.

SCR dramaturge Jerry Patch, who heads the festival, cites similar programs--the Humana Festival at the Actors Theater of Louisville in Kentucky, Midwest Play Labs in Minneapolis and the Southern Writers Conference in Knoxville, Tenn.--as models for developing and disseminating new West Coast plays.

* Pacific Playwrights Festival runs June 18-28 at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Workshop productions: $18; readings: $8. (714) 748-5555.