Before any major theatrical production can appear on stage it may be read and reviewed.

A select group of students, theatre and English faculty will join together today in Doudna Fine Arts Center to read and discuss three new plays.

Theatre arts chair John Oertling will host the event this year.

“I try to keep the numbers small,” Oertling said, “it’s not that I’m trying to keep people away.”

Oertling believes keeping the event’s attendance low will promote better discussion of the plays.

Plays that will be read and critiqued this year include “The Painting” by Jacqueline Powers, “The Something Special Coffee Shop” by Janis Butler Holm and “Advert Here” by Julie Cullings.

Throughout the year, more than 20 new plays have been submitted for the event.

“Over the past eight years, the number of submissions has grown,” Oertling said.

Out of the submissions that are received, plays that will be read for the new works readings are chosen based on how easily they can be performed on stage and if the playwright will benefit from the discussions.

“I’m hoping that discussion will be candid,” Oertling said.

Oertling encourages all of the participants to join in on the discussions.

Katherine Kruzic, a junior theatre arts major, has been chosen to read a part in “Advert Here” for the event.

“It’s kind of different reading from someone I don’t know about and not being able to do it as a play,” Kruzic said.

Another reader, Keith Stewart, a senior English and communications major, was chosen to read in “The Something Special Coffee Shop” where he reads the lines of a barista taking the orders of two indecisive customers.

Stewart’s character relates to his real-life job at Starbucks.

“It’s gonna’ be cool,” Stewart said. “It is actually similar to the interactions I’ve had with some customers.”

Playwrights submit their pieces to this event to get feedback and hear their written words out loud.

The plays that will be read have never been put on before.

Oertling said the event will give the playwright a chance to hear their words and the option to re-write.

After the event, Oertling’s notes on the plays will be given to the playwrights so that they know where to improve on their works.

Oertling asked Clarence Blanchette, a former professor of scene design and directing at Eastern, back to attend the event and give his input.

“I like his input, he’s a good insight into things,” Oertling said.

Blanchette jokingly replied, “And I’m attractive too.”

In the past, four of the plays read at these events have been produced by student one-act directors.

“This isn’t for me,” Oertling said, “We’re providing an opportunity for the playwright.”

Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7942 or shbohne@eiu.edu.