Sarah Vallo and Amie Bossi in the First Run Theatre summer 2023 production of “Wayward.”
Their name is also their strategy. “First Run Theatre” performs plays that are first run (and, they hope, first rate).
At a time when many theater companies struggle to attract audiences, First Run Theatre boldly sticks to their original vision, conceived 22 years ago: perform never-before-seen plays written by Midwestern authors. Some of their scripts come from first-time playwrights; some of the actors are first-time performers. This approach puts First Run at odds with many contemporary theater companies, who tend to perform well-known plays with broad appeal (think jukebox musicals). First Run is willing to take some creative and commercial risks to produce bold, original work and lift up the next generation writers and actors.
I had the opportunity to meet with creative director Gwennyth Rausch (who is also on the board of Albion Theatre Company) and stage director Phil Wright. Wright’s next show is a comedy double feature consisting of two one-act plays: The Conversation About the Keys (Yu-Li Alice Shen) and Cash Flow (Marjorie Williamson). The plays were written independently, but Wright believes they complement each other well. “Both are one-act romantic dramedies… written by some very talented and original writers.”Wright hopes audiences will enjoy the sharp dialogue and his cast’s natural, nuanced performances. The show will appeal to a wide audience, regardless of their experience with theater. In fact, First Run is always delighted to have first-time theatergoers in the audience.
Here’s what audiences can expect, according to First Run’s website:
- “In The Conversation About the Keys, Tim meets Thalia and a new relationship begins. Is this a rebound romance destined to simmer out or are they the “real thing”? Can Tim and Thalia face the reality of a life together?”
- “Cash Flow: Roger is obnoxious, but he has a swanky condo, a fancy car, and a promising career. Rebecca is supremely nice, but she’s drowning in debt and stuck in a low-paying job she hates. Is Rebecca really just a nice girl overwhelmed by economic circumstances? Or is she perhaps not very nice at all? Is her name really even Rebecca?”
Wright and Rausch first met during a production of Macbeth for Stray Dog Theater. Stray Dog’s director used “blind casting,” choosing actors for their skill rather than their appearance. As a result, Rausch was offered the role of Macbeth (and no, I don’t mean Lady—she showed me a picture with her “beard”). Wright and Rausch found the experience fascinating and it led to great results on stage. They use a similar strategy of “blind reading” when choosing scripts. Playwrights are anonymized before their scripts are sent to the review board; this removes potential bias and gives first-time writers a better chance to be selected. Likewise, Wright chooses actors based entirely on skill. He has no problem changing the age or gender of a character to increase his talent pool (with the playwright’s permission).
Each season, First Run Theatre offers two distinct theatrical experiences: the “mainstage shows” at the Kranzberg Black Box and the “spectrum shows” at the Chapel. The mainstage shows consist of two-act or multiple one-act plays (this includes the upcoming double feature). The spectrum shows are a series of scenes, each one 10-15 minutes long. This allows for some dynamic and unpredictable performances; the actors could play dozens of different roles in a single evening. Costume and set design are kept minimal to allow for smooth transitions.
Thanks to its vision and mission, First Run occupies a special niche in St. Louis’s theater scene. The company performs dozens of shows each season and offer actors and theater techs many opportunities to practice and experiment. They’re especially eager to recruit students at the high school or college level. First Run is an independent theater company with a truly “indie” feel, and its creative team hopes that St. Louis’s young creatives will come to them for inspiration and collaboration.
First Run Theatre’s comedy double feature (The Conversation About the Keys and Cash Flow) premieres Friday, August 2 and closes on Sunday, August 11. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00pm, Sunday matinees start at 2:00pm. The dress rehearsal takes place on August 1; it is free and open to the public.
Like all main stage productions, it will be performed at the Kranzberg Black Box on 501 N Grand Blvd. General admission is $30; the student rate is $20. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/first-runs-comedy-double-feature. Stay up-to-date on the latest from First Run Theatre at firstruntheatre.org. | Rob Von Nordheim
