SARATOGA SPRINGS — Caffe Lena is kicking-off a new series this weekend that celebrates and revisits a segment of its glorious past.
The cafe, originally founded by an actress and a sculptor, hosted plays as a regular feature. Many of them included owner Lena Spencer herself. In later years, production companies Homemade Theater and Fovea Floods got their start in Caffe Lena’s Black Box Theater before moving on to larger venues.
The tradition of live theater has been largely dormant since Lena’s Black Box, located over Hattie’s Restaurant, was repurposed in 2016 during a major renovation of the building.
“Letting go of the Black Box was painful,” said café Executive Director Sarah Craig, in a statement. “I always said that our renovation would not be complete until we brought back theater.”
Craig met with award-winning playwright/performer Michael Wells-Oakes, who recently relocated to Saratoga Springs from New York City. Wells-Oakes is an active member of many organizations that forward the creation of new theater works. The two developed a plan to create a home for playwrights at Caffe Lena similar to the venue’s popular open mics for poets, storytellers and musicians.
Hosted by Michael Wells-Oakes and actress Vivian Nesbitt, the resulting PLAYWRIGHT’S JAM is held the first Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Caffe Lena. The goal of the afternoon is to give authors the opportunity to see and hear their scenes brought to life. The audience comprises actors, theater lovers and fellow writers, all of whom read characters as assigned by the playwright. Feedback is optional; the hosts follow recommended guidelines for facilitating and communicating constructive comments only if welcomed by the playwright.
Playwrights bring a short (7 – 10 minutes) highlighted scene for the actors and one extra for stage directions. Sign-up begins at 12:45. Each JAM will include 6 or 7 scenes. Casting from the audience begins at 1:00 and the readings start at 1:15.
The first staging takes place 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 6. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public.
Bring your pages, your talent, your enthusiasm, your daring, your ears, and your love of exciting fresh theater. For more details visit www.caffelena.org/playwrights-jam. All attendees must show proof of vaccination upon arrival. Caffe Lena is located at 47 Phila St.
