First annual Bloomingplays set to showcase the ambitious works of local playwrights

Bloomington Playwrights Project will feature a smorgasbord of local theatrical flair this Thursday through Sunday.\nThe first annual Bloomingplays will feature five one-act plays conducted and performed by local talent. The plays are finally being exhibited after months of rigorous drafting and workshopping with the BPP.\nThe shorts were given the go-ahead after revisions and workshops with the Ensemble of Artists at the BPP which started as early as March of this year. The process of submitting and re-submitting work is known as “the Lora Shiner Studio Series.”\nPlaywrights that make it through the workshop stages may get the chance to see their creations come to life in front of a live audience, said Public Relations Director Gabe Gloden.\nBloomingplays is just the beginning of what BPP hopes will be a trend of encouraging local writers to share their work with the community. Directors Pat Anderson, Steve Eheart, David Nosko and Jim Hettmer hope Bloomingplays will inspire other local artists to submit what they call “working drafts,” to the BPP Web site.\n“We intend to provide local playwrights with a professional outlet for both play development and new work production,” Nosko said in a BPP press release. “Bringing plays from new and recognized writers to Bloomington is a noble cause. The community of local playwrights is busting at the creative seams with passionate insight and dramatic word play that needs to be shared with the world.” \nSome of the plays performed at BPP have already been recognized and awarded. Playwright Russell McGee won the Indiana Theatre Association’s 2007 Basile Award for his play “The Clockwork Man,” which will be one of the five plays to premier at Bloomingplays this weekend, Gloden said.\nThe other four plays are “Streetside Shoeshop” by Holly McClane, “Morning” by Mike F. Smith, “For the Love of a Couch” by Tracy Bee and “Party Girls” by Kalynn Huffman Brower.\nThe cast of the five plays includes 15 actors, most of whom are locals. They range in age from 11 to 67.\n“This event is 100 percent the product of the community,” said producer Bill Goveia. “The casts are comprised of the people who make this area so great to live in.”\nThe performances are open to the public and will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the BPP, 107 W. Ninth Ave. Tickets are $8. For more information visit www.newplays.org.