The Festival PerformersThe Free Speech Zone Theatre (FSZT) is a grass-root entity, comprised of local people who live in Pine Mountain Club, a private community nestled in the Los Padres National Forest in California. Most have chosen to live in this community, being transplanted from other areas. All members of this readers theatre share the desire to create a local community space for creativity--a space where all amateurs, who love the theatre, can come together to explore and create expressive vocal art.Readers theatre is a venue perfect for people who want to be on stage, but can't see themselves memorizing a lot of lines. Often, readers theatre is defined by "what it is not" rather than what it is. There are usually no sets or set changes, no elaborate costumes, and few lights or sound effects. The set is simple, mostly chairs, a music stand for holding a script, and an audience who may sometimes become part of the stage itself. If sets are used, the furniture and props are minimal and can be set up and struck within 5 minutes or less. Plays suitable for Readers Theatre rely more on ideas than effects. The reader/actors may portray multiple roles throughout the performances. Scripts are "held in hand" and the play becomes a vehicle for "voices" rather than full character development. Readers theatres are very friendly to amateur playwrights, who need to get their plays before an audience in order to fine-tune their ideas. Further, staged readings are sometimes accepted as a workshop production for those playwrights who need a "resume" for their play before bigger venues even will consider reading the play. Most playwrights had their beginnings with small community theatres and readers theatres, before becoming famous and only doing full Equity productions with professional actors. Free Speech Zone Theatre Honored!
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