This Sunday, Australian playwright Katie Pollock’s play “Normal” will be read on the Town Hall Theater’s stage.
“Normal” is the first winner of Town Hall Theater’s Ingenious Grant for Playwriting. This international playwriting competition was created by Haley Rice to increase the quality and quantity of roles for young women under 18. Out of 230 submissions, Pollock’s play rose to the top.
“We read hundreds of plays, but when I read ‘Normal,’ I knew I had something good,” said creator/ producer Haley Rice. “It has killer roles for young women, the dialogue is fresh and it features a terrific mystery at the heart of it. It went immediately in the ‘yes, definitely’ folder.”
Pollock will be in on the rehearsal process as much as she can even though she lives in Australia.
“We’re Skyping on day-one with the cast,” Rice said. “Katie is getting up early to chat with us, as it will be 7 a.m. in Australia when we’re rehearsing.”
Based on a true story, “Normal” follows high-schooler Poppy who starts to exhibit mysterious spasms and tics. As Poppy’s ailment worsens, more of her classmates are stricken, until the entire community begins to fracture along lines that turn into deep fissures. Who or what is to blame? And should the girls be treated for physical or psychological symptoms?
Directed by Rebecca Strum. Starring Chloe Clark, Talin Teague, Susan Palmer, Victoria Luksch and Amanda Kearns. Rated PG.
The staged reading will take place on Oct. 14, at 4 p.m., which may lead to a full production in 2019. Free. Donations accepted. For more information, visit townhalltheater.org or call (802) 382-9222.