theater
BY ANNA GRACE
LCC Professor Patrick Torelle
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with Beer, Wine, Sake, or etc.
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Playwrights in
Search of a Play
We also serve traditional
Japanese Noodles, Udon or Soba.
LCC’s Spring Inspirations highlights new work
by students
541 686-3504 • kamitori10.com
E
ver wonder what would make a
person sever the head from her
spouse’s body and carry it around
in a car? Jenna Clinkscales has.
Fortunately for Clinkscales, a student at
Lane Community College, professor Pat-
rick Torelle leads a nine-month playwriting
workshop that allows budding writers to
ponder life’s irregularities, big and small,
and stage them for our enjoyment.
Spring Inspirations, a festival of
10-minute plays, has been around in one
form or another for fi fteen years, making
playwrights out of students like Clinkscales
every spring. Torelle sets students up with
the tools they need, holding the door open
for their creativity to come tumbling out
onto the stage. Students in his playwriting
class start with a six-line play (count ‘em,
six!) that must encompass an entire story
and the world in which it’s set. From there
the plays are slowly fl eshed out to ten
minutes each.
I caught Torelle between classes to
fi nd out how on earth he and his students
manage to pull this off. For a seasoned
teacher and thespian like Torelle, the
formula is simple. He asks his writers to
provide two basic plot elements: “What
is it your character has to have beyond
anything, what would they be willing to
crawl through broken glass to obtain?” and
“What seemingly insurmountable obstacle
do they have to face to get it.” From there,
he sits back and has fun giving his students
a few helpful tips and watching the newly
created characters attempt to meet their
goals.
Once the scripts have emerged from
the hearts of his writers, Torelle helps
his students fi nd a director and a cast. “I
always love this project for getting new
people involved,” Torelle says of the
large cast, which exceeds 30 members.
A revolving stage and screen projections
keep the sets simple and the action rolling,
all so the focus is on the new plays as they
spring to life.
This year, Spring Inspirations includes
ten original one-act plays. Playwrights
range in age from those eligible for senior
discounts to a few who are not yet allowed
in pubs. They’ve explored varying themes,
from a satire on airport security to the
mundane details of living life on the street.
The drama of domestic turmoil shares the
evening with a mock bank robbery. “It’s
always a fantastic mix of the comedic,
tragic and bizarre,” says Torelle.
“I look forward to this every year,”
Torelle says, his voice full of enthusiasm.
“There’s nothing like watching the faces of
my students as their work comes to life.” ew
Spring Inspirations plays at LCC’s Blue Door Theater at
7:30 pm May 6-14; tickets can be had at the door for a
$3-$5 suggested donation.
Special $10
college student tickets for
Selected events presented by:
Eugene Ballet Co., Eugene Concert Choir,
Eugene Opera*, Eugene Symphony,
Oregon Mozart Players
Oregon Bach Festival
Chamber Music@Beall Hall
1044 Willamette St. Eugene, OR
*rush/day of
performance only
LORD LEEBRICK THEATRE COMPANY
Previews
May 4 & 5
Shakespeare’s Romance
Adapted & Directed by John Schmor
Opens May 6 runs through May 28
This summer for kids 7 & up
Fun & Excitement...
Cam
p
star s
Theatre Summer Camps
t
Ju
Registering now!
TICKETS
541-465-1506
54
lordleebrick.com
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EUGENE WEEKLY MAY 5, 2011 35