The purpose of RAW is to give playwrights a forum for trying out new works, and to encourage theatre-goers to participate in getting new works "on their feet."

We have six staged readings a year at the Barn. Typically our readings are blocked, but actors have script in hand. Minimal furniture and props are used, often with appropriate sound and lighting effects. We present both full-length plays and programs of short works. A moderated talk-back session with the audience follows the readings, in which viewers are encouraged to respond to the playwright’s questions and give their impressions of the work. We suggest a $7.00 admission fee, but if you are a member of RVP or a season subscriber, there is no charge.

Come join us in a friendly atmosphere of audience participation while enjoying some enticing refreshments!

Announcing the 4th season of RAW in 2007/2008

Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 1:00pm
I Can’t Remember, by Maureen Studer, Directed by Andy Hamner
(Comedy, two strangers struggle to remember the name of a play.)

A Familiar Face, by Matthew Graham Smith, Directed by Jessica Heidt
(Political farce, a “body double” for the president finds himself in a dangerous predicament.) 

Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 3:00pm
Ladies in Waiting, by Michelle Lein, Directed by Cris Cassell
(Drama, A meeting of the members of the Free Scott Peterson Death Row Pen Pals)

Pre-Dating, by VB Leghorn, Directed by Mark Shepard
(Comedy, A caveman finds that his passion for art turns into invention when one of his art pieces bursts into flames and fire is discovered.)

Edgar Allan Poe, A Wild Light, by Billie Cox, Directed by Billie Cox
(Musical, based on the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe)

Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 3:00pm
Chicken, by Pat Pfeiffer, Directed by Terry Ross
(Black comedy, Is early-retired biz-whiz Avery Mann playing dead, really dead, or deeply depressed? Can his friends persuade him to do something useful with his leftover life?)

Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 3:00pm
Alpha Bindleman, by Paul Braverman
Fruit of the Gods by Paul Braverman
Don't Just Sit Theatre, by Diane Sampson


Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 3:00pm
Just Let Go, by Patricia Milton, directed by Lisa Edsall-Giglio
Nessa’s mission to save the puzzle sunflower pits her against a developer with plans to erect an alien-themed amusement park. Will Nessa be swamped by progress?  Or can she overcome the odds and save two endangered species: the puzzle sunflower and herself?


Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 3:00pm
Limbo, by Lynn Snyder, directed by Carol Sheldon
His Best New Friend and Facelift, by Diane Sampson, directed by Robert Estes
The Filipino Monkey, by Ignacio Zulueta, directed by Kim Bromley
Grammar, by Kay Noyes, directed by Linda Vito
 

Free for members! ($7 suggested donation at the door.) ( Become a member. )

 

Script Submission Guidelines
We accept works from Bay Area Residents only. Playwrights are expected to attend the program and participate in the talk-back session with the audience.

Plays may be between 10 and 90 pages of any genre except children's plays. Scripts must be in standard format. Presenting your work in this professional manner, this uniform style helps us immensely in estimating the running time of your play.

Plays must not have received a previous full production in the Bay Area. If your play is selected for a reading with RAW, and you subsequently discover it is being produced elsewhere prior to you RAW reading, it is your responsibility to notify RAW immediately.

HOW: Submission of scripts is by electronic means only, as an attachment in a Word or RTF file.
WHEN: The present window for submitting is June 1--July 15, 2008. If you haven't heard from us by October, please check this Web site for upcoming readings.

Submission Format (VERY IMPORTANT!) 
FONT: 12 point
MARGINS: Side margins are 1¼"
CHARACTER NAME in capitals in the CENTER of the page. Single space between the character's name and his/her speech. Before the NEXT character's name, there is a DOUBLE space.
STAGE DIRECTIONS: Indented and in parentheses 
Pages are numbered.
INCLUDE the following in a SINGLE file: your synopsis, bio and the entire script with character descriptions.
Submit to raw at rossvalleyplayers.com.

Director Applications
Staged readings typically have between one and five rehearsals, depending on length of work, availability of cast, etc. If you are interested in directing, please submit a brief resume to raw at rossvalleyplayers.com

Actor Sign-up
If you wish to be notified of upcoming auditions, and have not been receiving e-mail notices, please sign up in the audition section of this website.

History of RAW
The Ross Valley Players has a long history of supporting original theatrical work. In the 1930s, members submitted scripts for competition with the winners being presented at the annual membership meeting. The 1950s saw staged readings and in the 1980s RAT (Ross Alternative Theatre) presented both readings and full production of plays by local playwrights. In 2000, the idea of reading new scripts was revived as a membership perk and in 2004, RAW (Ross Alternative Works) was formed. It began in conjunction with HAVEN. In the 1990s, late actor/director Ben Dickson spearheaded HAVEN to facilitate theatre artists practicing their craft in a non-critical, open and creative atmosphere; a safe haven. RAW continues in that spirit while presenting a series of readings coinciding with the RVP season.

The 2007-2008 RAW Committee
Ann Armour, Pennell Chapin, Billie Cox, Robert Estes, Tinka Ross, Susan Rothchild, Carol Sheldon, Mark Shepard

For press information about RAW performances, visit our Press Section