Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) is bringing back The Workshop, its play development series, for the fifth consecutive year on Saturday, May 30, featuring two original pieces from Colorado-based playwrights. The two shows — comedy “The Wild Watsons” by Luke Sorge, directed by TRTC artistic director Missy Moore, and drama “Steve Perry Loves Me” by Leslie C. Lewis, directed by Emily Henley — are within their chrysalis phases of production and this programming will give audiences an opportunity to see their current states, as well as a chance to provide feedback and ask questions of the playwrights.
In speaking with Moore, she always looks forward to the new play development series, as it serves as a hub for artists to create stories for the next generation of theatergoers to enjoy. While she holds deep appreciation for classic stories, she says the development of new works makes the craft worthwhile.
“If we don’t nurture the stories of today, then our craft is kind of all for naught,” Moore told The Sopris Sun. “If we don’t nurture the voices of today, where does the future of theater, where does the future of our craft, actually end up?”
This round of programming sees the return of Sorge, who, in collaboration with the theater, brought two previous works into development. Having been involved in the world of theater for over two decades, Sorge looks forward to projects like The Workshop because of how the wall between stage magic and the audience comes down.
“In some ways, the audience is the most crucial component of development. We can gather the ingredients, prepare the recipe and cook the meal — but we don’t know anything until the audience eats. It’s amazing how much we learn about the rhythm, structure and humor of a piece just by the energy in the room during a performance,” Sorge shared. “Everyone experiences a play differently, and having some access to that experience is invaluable — and only available during the workshopping phase.”
“The Wild Watsons” is a comedic play taking place in Gunnison that leans into the supernatural and cryptid — delving into creatures unproven by science. Discussing the inspiration behind this piece, Sorge said he was drawn to create it because of his fascination with what folkloric creatures represent in media.
“Though I’m not really a cryptid believer, I am fascinated by them and what they represent. But honestly, I just kind of thought it would be funny to write a play about Bigfoot and have been working on it off and on for several years. Very few people have even read the script, but it’s at the point where it needs other people, so I submitted it to Missy and was elated to be invited back up to Carbondale. Not just because I enjoy it so much, but because I know the script will be better by the end of the week,” Sorge said.
“Steve Perry Loves Me,” according to Lewis, has many elements she hopes resonate with audiences. The story follows a trauma therapist who becomes reclusive after several cases she can’t shake. She then starts writing to Steve Perry of the American rock band Journey, who had his own period of isolation due to the pressures of fame when Journey was rising. The story details her experiences leading up to her time of isolation and finding kindredness in Perry through the letters she writes.
Lewis was inspired to write this story after watching an episode of “Stranger Things” where Journey’s music played in the background. From there, she went down several rabbit holes of current events and the history of Perry’s time outside the spotlight.
She looks forward to seeing her work brought to life through Henley’s direction and the dedication of the whole TRTC team, who play a big part in bringing her piece to the stage. She also hopes that those who have experienced trauma and hardship resonate with the work.
“There is nothing like hearing the words you’ve stewed over, and to hear them with an actor who’s skilled, alongside having a director and a whole team of people make this play come together,” Lewis said. “Everybody has trauma, whether it’s personal or on a community level; everybody is at some stage of healing. This play, I feel, is important because hopefully everybody can drop into it and relate to something about it, about the humanity of this person who’s trying to make her way back from this and be part of an integrated culture.”
Her sentiments were shared by Henley, who says she looks forward to working intimately with a show that has so much vulnerability, with the humor in healing woven in.
“I think that it’s a universal story that can resonate with people of all ages in different times. I think the way she blends that message with humor and with this little bit of Journey’s music within is wonderful, and I’m excited to bring it to life,” Henley stated.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.thunderrivertheatre.com