PlaySmelter festival attracts grants

Pat the Dog Theatre Creation's second annual PlaySmelter Festival of New Play Readings, to be held in Sudbury May 6-10, has recently procured several grants.

In addition to the funders from the pilot year (including Ontario Trillium Foundation) who remain committed, Pat the Dog can boast new and increased funding from Canada Council ($15,000), OAC Northern Arts ($12,500) and Access Copyright Foundation ($7,500).

“We are thrilled that these are both provincial and national funders,” said Pat the Dog artistic director Lisa O’Connell. “It is proof of the value of local art being created here in Sudbury.”

During the festival, four new plays will be given their first readings in front of a live audience.

The playwrights are local writers Karen Thistle, Jenny Hazelton, Jesse Brady and North Bay native Kristin Shepherd.

Writers Lara Bradley and Cora Eckert, from last year’s festival, will be receiving closed-door workshops of new plays this year, as well.

Budding writers will also be able to take part in a workshop.

Governor General Award-winning playwright Colleen Murphy will take part in the festival and will be offering a Master Class to local writers.

The series is a culmination of more than a year of work with local writers, and offers the rare opportunity for an audience to get their hands dirty by participating in the development of these important works-in-progress.

All readings feature performances by local actors.

Pat the Dog Theatre Creation is dedicated to the support and advocacy of playwrights and their plays, and is the only playwright development centre in Ontario open to both established and emerging artists.

For a schedule of events, visit www.playsmelter.ca.