After Four Years, Group Tackles First Full-Length

With its staging of “Carnivals of Desire,” New Voices Playwrights Workshop steps up for the first time to theater’s biggest challenge--the full-length play.

The local playwrights’ circle, formed four years ago, has enjoyed success with programs of short plays.

“This is a special event, the next step in our growth,” founder Christopher Trela said. With the short play evenings, Trela said, New Voices could count on the friends and family of as many as 10 playwrights and multiple sets of actors to provide a core audience. Now there is one writer, one cast, and only the merits of the play and the production to draw a crowd.

“This [begins] the serious courting of audiences,” Trela said. “We’re hoping this is the kind of production where we can show the world, ‘This is what we can do.’ Our reputation is on the line.”

In Mary Fengar Gail, New Voices is batting its most accomplished member in the leadoff spot. But that was not the group’s decision, Trela said. To prevent any appearance of favoritism or grounds for internal conflict, a panel of four local stage directors was asked to evaluate submissions from group members and pick plays to produce.

Gail joined the 17-member New Voices less than two years ago, seeking fellowship and creative feedback in what can be a lonely calling. “It’s a joy and a great pleasure” to read and respond to each other’s plays, she said.