Staged Reading of a new play- Skokie Theatre

Last night, in downtown Skokie, at The Skokie Theatre, “Displaced Identity”, a new play written by Julia W. Rath, was read, for the first time to a live audience. Thanks to the amazing Wayne Mell, who was able to get the cast and crew through all of the tech problems, the non-actors ( for the most part) with no rehearsal, pulled off an almost perfect reading

The purpose of doing a “staged reading” ( to be honest, this one was more if a sit-down reading) is for the playwright to see their words come to life. This allows them to get an idea as to how an audience might react. Last night, there was a decent house and a marvelous “talk-back” after allowing the author to hear what people felt. Did they understand the story? Did they feel comfortable with the topic? Was it too talky?

As a cast member, I felt that the story itself was one that made some sense. The subject matter is tough for some as it deals with people who had secrets that ended up altering the lives of others. Those who participated, many of whom had never been “under the lights before” were nervous, but once the audience settled in, that little spark that is in all of us went into effect. We became actors!

It was a treat to have some of my radio listeners in the crowd and to be able to speak with them during the break between play and talk-back. We will keep an eye on the next steps for Julia and her new play. I know Julia will be back at it quickly, making changes and finding new ways to tell this story. I will let you know when it will be done again ( and I know, from experience, it will).

Kudos to the cast that made this evening special:

Michele Rose, Barb Preskill, Elana Daniel, Robert Klein, Dobra Bielinski, Scott Saffro, Eliot Osherman, Janet Parker and the stage manager, Mary Berman.

There was a raffle for those who stayed for the talk-back and thanks to the sponsors of Around The Town on WCPT820 (1-2 p.m. on Sundays) for the items:

Jimmy Thai ( Deerfield), Prairie Grass Cafe ( Northbrook), Polo Inn Cafe( Chicago’s Bridgeport ), Harmony Salt Cave ( Buffalo Grove) and Rosebud (Roselle)