|
|
|
|
Over the years the festival has gone through a number of changes. Originally the festival had two different sets of show presented on different nights. That format was eventually dropped when the production logistics became overwhelming. The search for scripts now extends to playwrights throughout the entire state of Wisconsin.
Despite the changes, the spirit has remained the same. It’s still a forum to give both new and experienced playwrights and directors a chance to practice and hone their respective crafts. And while the production values have increased, the goal is still to emphasize the writing and performance aspects, not make a show into a technical spectacle.
One act plays have become more popular in Milwaukee over the years as can be seen by the number of on the “One Act Festivals” that have been, and continue to be, produced at both the community and professional level. The VPW is proud to have been the first (and we like to think the best) to implement the concept of an original one act play festival.
|
|
Copyright 2008 - 2010 Village Playhouse of Wauwatosa |
In
1984 the Village Playhouse of Wauwatosa Board of Directors was presented with a
proposal. A group known as the Third Coast Playwrights was looking for a venue
to present some of its work. The VPW was looking for a reward for its season
ticket holders and the Mini-Theatre Players of Wauwatosa were looking for a
means to produce the winners in a play writing contest they had held the year
before. The proposal? – a festival of original one act plays. Thus the First
Annual Original One Act Festival was born. The reaction was positive on several
fronts: