Theatre students often dream of the day when they can go to Broadway, hobnob with celebrities, and be part of a New York theatre production. But for many Texas Wesleyan students, that dream becomes reality before they even graduate.

Every year, students and alumni have the opportunity to submit an original script as part of the event known as Playmarket. Every other year, the winning piece is performed as a reading at a theatre in New York City. This year’s play, Positive, was written by student Brittani Evans and was performed at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre.

New York Opportunities

The students, led by Professor of Theatre Connie Whitt-Lambert, had many great experience on the Playmarket trip, including:

• seeing more than 10 professional productions including Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Nance, Basillica, The Last Five Years, Ann, Kinky Boots, Women of Will, The Big Knife, Once, and Lucky Guy.
• networking with Wesleyan alumni professionals including Meredith Lucio ’93 (producer), Mark Ellis Addison (producer), Tamlyn Wright ’92 (art director), Shirin Tinati ’95 (photographer), Jason Stuart ’03 (playwright/producer), Kathy Ferman-Menino ’90 (playwright), Michael Skipper ’78 (producer), and Ann Street Skipper ’78 (who hosted the cast party).
• meeting professional actors, including Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce, Alec Baldwin, Tom Sturridge, Betsy Wolfe, Adam Cantor, Oliver Platt, and Arthur Darvill.
• meeting New York professionals including David Van Asselt (artistic director, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater), Kevin Bailey (Executive Producer, Ann) and Benjamin Endsley Klein (Director, Ann and War Horse).
• visiting The Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Upright Citizens Brigade Improv Club, Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, Lincoln Center, and Mood.

The Student Experience

After they returned from New York, students were asked to give feedback on their experiences. Here are some excerpts:

"During this journey of Playmarket, I've learned a couple things about myself. One of them was that I could definitely make it here if I moved because of the connections we have with other Wesleyan alumni. Even if I don't pursue a career in theatre I'm sure I can figure something out. I'm very grateful for coming and I leave NYC with a smile."

"The reading in NYC not only gave me my first New York stage credit, but also opened the door for me to meet and make connections with alumni and friends of the university who are currently working in the arts in New York. The trip gave me exposure to the city and the lifestyle I would have if I ever decided to move there."

"Being a part of the reading allowed me the experience of working with an ensemble and under a director as an actor. The reading in NYC not only gave me my first New York stage credit, but also opened the door for me to meet and make connections with alumni and friends of the university who are currently working in the arts in New York. The trip gave me exposure to the city and the lifestyle I would have if I ever decide to move there. The trip made by the hardworking, dedicated members of the Texas Wesleyan Theatre Department every two years is in some ways a reward, but mostly a means by which we will continue to pursue our dreams and careers."