Not all submissions lead to an actual reading or performance for playwrights, but sometimes there are other benefits to be gained. One such opportunity presented itself at the Great Plains Theatre Conference, held at the end of May in Omaha, NE. Although the play I submitted was not chosen for a reading, I was invited to attend the Writer’s Workshop, held in conjunction with the conference.

The Writer’s Workshop was two days of intense workshops and play readings, which were not open to the public, so it was two days of playwrights and other theatre people concentrating on the text. It was invigorating to be with so many theatre artists and writers, and the workshops were very valuable. I attended two workshops with Larry Singer, an actor and acting teacher, and as a writer, I found them extremely useful. We worked on connecting with others – hearing their stories – in the first workshop. The second workshop was focused on self-exploration and opening yourself up to the possibilities. Sometimes I forget how important that is in the day to day grind that is my life.

After the two-day Writer’s Workshops, the conference was opened to the public and every day was a smorgasbord of play readings – some great some not so great. Each reading was a learning experience though. You learn something from the bad as well as the good. The conference is also a great networking opportunity.

I met playwrights from all over the country and it was fantastic to hear them talk about how they deal with some of the same issues I deal with, even if they do live in New York, theatre capital of the U.S.

And of course, what’s a theatre conference without performances? Doug Wright was the honored play-wright so we had the opportunity to screen his film “Quills” in addition to attending performances of featured scenes of his work and of his play “I Am My Own Wife.” Javon Johnson, founding member of the Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago, was one of the workshop presenters and we also attended a performance of his play “Breathe” followed by a lively talk back session. Omaha has the oldest community theatre in the nation and they had two shows up while we were there. I chose to attend “The Crucible” and it was one of the most striking productions of that show I’ve seen staged.

Although this conference is young, its founder, Dr. JoAnn McDowell, started the Inge Festival when she was at Independence Community College and the theatre festival in Valdez, Alaska. When she came to Omaha she brought the theatre festival idea with her and I’m glad she did. The call for plays has already gone out for next year’s festival. For more information: www.mccneb.edu/theatreconference. I’ve already sent my submission in – how about you?