PREMIERE

The Rhode Island Premier of Theresa Rebeck's "Seminar" at The URI Theatre

URI Theatre | By Diana Savino

URI is starting up our season with Theresa Rebeck’s Seminar on October 9th at 7:30 PM. Seminar is a play that is set in New York City, present day. It follows four young writers who decide to hire a professional writer to critique and help launch their careers. The writing seminar that they all signed up for is 10-weeks long and cost $5,000 per person. Each week the four students meet with their professor in one of the students, Kate’s, Upper West Side apartment.

"Seminar" rehearsal - from left to right: Stephen Peterson (as Martin), 

Laine Wagner (as Izzy), Christine O'Connell (as Kate),

Belamy Brophy-Baermann (as Douglas), and Chris Morris (as Leonard).

The group of students consists of Martin, who is a writer who seems to be struggling with his finances, but refuses to show anyone his work. Douglas is well known by association since his uncle is a famous playwright from Harvard. Izzy is the flirtatious student who is very outgoing and a strong writer. Lastly, Kate is constantly trying to prove herself to her peers and professor, who immediately dismisses her work and feminist comments. The professor, Leonard, is a very talented writer who has had a long, dramatic past when it comes to writing. He is very harsh and standoffish throughout the play, but can recognize a good story when he sees it.

"Seminar" rehearsal - from left to right: Chris Morris (as Leonard), 

Belamy Brophy-Baermann (as Douglas), Laine Wagner (as Izzy), 

and Christine O'Connell (as Kate).

This play is filled with rising tensions, romance and humor. Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney, explains Seminar as a “tight, witty and consistently entertaining” play. This will be the show's Rhode Island premiere. J Studio, October 9-11 & October 16-18, 2014 at 7:30 p.m., October 12 & 19, 2014 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 General, $15 Seniors, URI Faculty/Staff, $12 Students.

URI Theatre Director Bryna Wortman works with actors 

on a scene from "Seminar" during rehearsal.