CATCO, in partnership with the Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council), announced today playwright Jeremy Llorence, award-winning playwright who teaches playwrighting at Otterbein University, is the recipient of the 2018 Playwrights Fellowship program for his work, Voice of the Net.
Llorence receives a $5,000 fellowship and a reading of his play, which will be presented Sunday, June 30, 2019, 6 p.m., at the Van Fleet Theatre, Columbus Performance Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave. Admission is free. CATCO Associate Producing Director and Playwright Fellowship Coordinator Joe Bishara will direct the production.
A Black American playwright from metro Detroit, Llorence’s play, Cane River King, received the 2015 KCACTF Region Three award for best full-length play and was named the winner of the 2015 Activate: Midwest Festival. Cane River King was subsequently produced at Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre in Chicago. To learn more about Llorence, visit jeremyllorence.com
Voice of the Net, set in 2039, is a two-act, pseudo sci-fi exploration of law, information, identity and belief. The drama features a cast of six, including Sgt. Donna Lloyd, who leads a small federal task force dedicated to solving and preventing Internet crimes.
As in previous years, submissions for the 2018 fellowship explored a wide range of topics and included dramas, as well as comedies, Bishara said. “CATCO looks forward to working with Jeremy and local actors to perform a reading of his play in June.”
“We are delighted to work with CATCO and Jeremy to bring Voice of the Net to the stage,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Arts Council. “There is so much talent in this city. We relish the opportunity to showcase Columbus artists.”
Selection criteria for the fellowship included originality, likelihood of future productions, clarity of voice and general interest in the subject matter. Interested artists were asked to submit a cover letter and the following:
- Breakdown of characters with brief descriptions
- Up to 10 pages of sample dialogue
- Brief synopsis (one or two paragraphs) of the play to be considered
- Cover page that provided the playwright’s name, address and contact information. (Plays were considered without the playwright’s information attached to ensure impartial selection.)
CATCO Mission Statement: Theatre is a shared experience that illuminates the mysteries of our humanity. Its magic has the power to transform us whether on stage, in the classroom or in our diverse communities. CATCO creates theatre that delights, challenges, and transports.
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
