Theatrical Culinary Project - Workshop 1

May 15th-18th, 2015

The workshop began at a rehearsal space provided in part by Breather at 511 West 23rd. After spending two days brainstorming and discussing all things food and the experience of eating, the writers went off to begin drafting their plays and Carla, the first draft of her menu. Then we moved into a townhouse on East 10th Street, provided by TCP friend and supporter, Kathy Cerick. On May 18th, Carla Hall and her Sous Chefs, Tim Ousey and Elle Simone, prepared an exquisite meal so our creative team could taste Carla’s first draft. After the meal we adjourned away from the table to hear very early pages of the playwrights’ work.

We left with a keen understanding of how extraordinary this collaboration was, clear direction how to approach the dramatic structure of the evening, and inspiration generated by the depth and Carla’s meal. We couldn’t wait to get to work putting the pieces together for our next workshop!

The actors who joined us on May 18th to cold read these early pages were: Hale Appleman (Smash), David Alan Basche (The Exes), Natalie Venetia Belcon (Avenue Q), Sasha Eden (Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby), Austin Lysy (The Good Wife), Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black), and Myra Lucretia Taylor (Girls).

We can't wait to see where this project will go next!