From page to stage: PlaySmelter is back for third season

PlaySmelter, Sudbury's festival of new play readings, has announced its lineup for the third annual event in honour of World Theater Day.

From May 6-9, four new plays will be given their first reading in front of live audiences.

Maureen Labonté will serve as the festival's dramaturg. Produced by Pat The Dog Theatre Creation, Governor General’s Award-nominated playwright Gilles Poulin-Denis and homegrown writers Sarah Gartshore, Mitchell Gauvin and Nina Nesseth will be taking part.

PlaySmelter gives audiences the unique opportunity to participate in the creative process of taking new plays from the page to the stage. All stage readings are performed by local actors.

Northern playwrights Eric Lapalme, Abby Yzereef and Kristin Shepherd will also have closed-door workshops of their new plays.

“The theatrical work coming out of this region is outstanding,” says Lisa O'Connell, the festival's artistic director. “This is a festival of Northern Ontario voices receiving national recognition.”

Readings and discussions will take place every night at 7 p.m. from May 6-9 at the Verve, 178 Elm St.

Price of admission is pay-what-you-can.