Evento

Festival Guest Panel Discussion

Going back to 2009, we have been presenting original work by our students in front of a live audience comprised of other students, local audiences and guest respondents from around the country.

Starting last year, we have a new tradition! On Sunday, after the final staged reading of the festival, we now have a guest panel discussion where our respondents introduce themselves, talk briefly about their own background, and then give a moderated response to the festival as a whole.

2019 Guest Respondent Panelists:
John Bergman, Kate Blair, Robert Caisley, Neeley Gossett, Taylor Gruenloh, Celise Kalke, Laura King, Bree Luck, Michael Martin, Mary Miller, Bob Moss, Kimberly Patterson, Ginger Poole, Jere Lee Hodgin, Suzanne Shawyer, Rob Urbinati, and Dwayne Yancey.

About the Festival:
Each summer at the end of July, we present a three-day event showcasing readings of student work from the Playwrights Lab. These readings are minimally staged for the general public and close to a dozen theatre professionals as respondents from as far away as Los Angeles and from as close as right here in Roanoke.

These readings are presented free to the public, but there is limited seating. Many of our festival readings have gone on to be published, produced and won major awards. Come see tomorrow's stars today!

Our festival is presented in collaboration with Mill Mountain Theatre on their Waldron Stage.