A local launchpad for new theatrical works that spark community conversation.
The Consort
A one person play in development
Written and Performed by Allie Wittner
PIC Mini-Residencies are short developmental intensives designed to help a writer move their work to its next stage. Typically structured as 2-4 rehearsal sessions, culminating in a staged reading, each mini-residency is built around the needs of the writer.
The Consort's PIC History
Allie Wittner first shared an excerpt of "The Consort" in our Spring 2022 Salon open mic, and then shared further as a salon presenter for our Summer 2022 Salon. Now they are the recipient of one of two mini residency spots for 2023 and working to develop their third draft of the piece. Because this is a 1-person show, PIC was able to be especially flexible in tailoring the developmental structure to serve Allie's artistic process. Allie's priority was to have paid dedicated writing time, followed by an opportunity to collaborate with a dramaturg. Allie and dramaturg Fig Lefevre will be meeting 1-1 to develop questions about the piece and dig deeper into the text. This collaboration will culminate in a sharing for invited guests where Fig will moderate a discussion about the piece and its further development.
From Allie- A Summary of The Consort
One day my boyfriend was at a friend’s birthday party in Connecticut and texted me that he’d met a dog there he was considering bringing home with him. This was distressing to me and I didn’t understand why, so I sat on my couch and started to write. It felt very urgent. In five days, I had a draft of something.
“The Consort” is me telling you what I figured out.
Residency Goals:
I currently have two drafts of “The Consort” and I’d like to finesse a third. My residency includes some dedicated writing time and then a reading where I will get feedback from a group of discerning and caring people.
Once I complete and finesse the third draft with the help of this residency, I’d like to begin workshopping “The Consort” onstage.
The Consort Development:
A Video Journey
The Consort
The Consort
The Consort Intro
The Consort Writing Day 1
The Consort Writing Day 2
Meet the Playwright
Allie Wittner is a theater artist and human doing their best. She has lived in Western Mass since 2021 and before that has lived, studied, and performed in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and Boston’s North Shore. They are surprised and pleased to still be making theater.
Meet the Dramaturg
Fig Lefevre is a theater artist and educator currently serving as the Managing Director of The Performance Project, a lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Department of Theater, and as the Co-VP of Freelance for the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA).
They have an MFA in Dramaturgy and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Feminist Studies from UMass- Amherst.
In addition to applied theater work, Fig has also worked as a script reader, a production dramaturg, and as a teacher--most recently teaching courses such as Contemporary Playwrights of Color, Science Fiction & Fantasy Theater, Theater for Social Change, and Queer Theater.
Meet the Producers
Sarah Marcus and Rachel F. Hirsch serve as co-founders of Play Incubation Collective and producers of this project. You can read more about their PIC journey here.
