WRITING LAB

 

As a part of the Mangrove Creative Collective's process The Prey was first distributed to the creators in the winter of 2015. The first step in the development process is for the creators to give private feedback to the playwright. With that feedback the playwright is free to make any edits they see fit.

 

A first reading of the piece was done by the creators received its first reading on Monday, April 13, 2015. This was the first time the piece was presented in any form to any kind of audience. During this reading the creators themselves read the parts of the characters with only the playwright, Gina, listening. Immediately following there were discussions about character development, plot choices and many other details. 

 

Following this reading Gina along with creators David, Margaret, and Joseph made a trip out to the location of the historic events that inspired the piece. A blog from the playwright about this experience will be published this summer. 

 

On June 1, 2015 the Collective moved The Prey forward to the next step of the process where a cast of actors was assembled and held a rehearsal and private reading for the creators. The cast was Clinton Archambault, Elizabeth Price, Matthew William Chizever, Joseph M. NeSmith, Deandre Sevon, Jim Gibbons, Zack Myers, Alex Alvarez with Lindsay Bartels reading stage directions. The rehearsal and reading was directed by Margaret M. Ledford. 

 

The next step for The Prey in the writing lab was the first public reading of The Prey on July 27, 2015 at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex Theatre. The Collective was thrilled to partner with the City of Miami, Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Front of the House, Inc., Lovables and the South Florida Theatre League to present the reading. The cast was  Clinton Archambault, Elizabeth Price, John Manzelli, Matthew William Chizever, Mekiel "MJ" Benjamin, Jim Gibbons, Zack Myers, Alex Alvarez with Ricky J. Martinez reading stage directions. It was a great success with over 80 in attendance. The talk back retained about 40 members of the audience who gave thoughtful and critical feedback that will help continue to develop The Prey. 

 

Future steps are to present another reading in West Palm Beach and perhaps on the west coast of Florida in Naples. Beyond that a workshop production in on the horizon.

 

Stay tuned for your next chance to catch this new play by Gina Montet.