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Updated: July 19, 2009, 8:22 pm	Share    Print    Email

Southampton - The acclaimed Southampton Writers Conference, sponsored by Stony Brook Southampton's MFA in Writing and Literature program, will take place this summer from July 8 to Aug. 2. Now in its third decade, the conference is well-known for providing a forum for authors of all genres to study and discuss the craft of writing under the guidance of some of the most respected members of the industry - and this year's line-up of esteemed faculty members and guest participants is no exception.

Bob Brustein scheduled to appear.

These events include:

Thursday, July 16
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "Ensemble Studio Theater Onstage"

On Thursday, July 16, Ensemble Studio Theatre, New York's premiere developmental theater, will present a reading of the new play "A Boy Called Newfoundland" and demonstrate the process of creating new work for the stage.

Friday, July 17
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "Theater Collaborations - A discussion"

On Friday, July 17, "Theater Collaborations," a panel discussion featuring theater giants Robert Brustein (theater critic, playwright and founding director of Yale Rep and American Repertory Theatre), Emily Mann (Artistic Director, McCarter Theater), Tony-award winning director Joe Mantello ("Wicked," "Take Me Out," "Love! Valour! Compassion!") and Tony and Oscar-winning designer/director Tony Walton ("Guys and Dolls," "Anything Goes," "Grand Hotel," "Pippin") in a frank discussion of the profits and pitfalls that face a creative team as they embark on bringing the playwright's work to life.

Saturday, July 18
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "Three Farces and a Funeral"

Based on the life, letters and plays of Anton Chekhov by Robert Brustein. Directed by Daniela Veron, starring Alan Alda.

Join Alda and company for a reading of this new play by Robert Brustein based on the life, letters and plays of Anton Chekhov.

Monday, July 20
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "A Seagull in the Hamptons"

A reading of the classic comedy set in modern-day Quogue, freely adapted from Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull" by Emily Mann. Starring Brian Murray, Larry Pine and Maria Tucci.

Wednesday, July 22
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "The Last Cargo Cult"

Created and performed by Mike Daisey. Groundbreaking monologist Daisey tells the true-life story of his time on a remote South Pacific island where the inhabitants, who live at the base of a constantly erupting volcano, worship America. Directed by Jean-Michele Gregory.

Emily Mann scheduled to appear.

Daisey has been called "the master storyteller" and "one of the finest solo performers of his generation" by the New York Times for his groundbreaking monologues which weave together autobiography, gonzo journalism, and unscripted performance to tell hilarious and heartbreaking stories that cut to the bone, exposing secret histories and unexpected connections. His monologues, 14 and counting, include the controversial "How Theater Failed America," the six-hour epic "Great Men of Genius," the unrepeatable series "All Stories Are Fiction," and the international sensation "21 Dog Years." Over the past decade he has performed his unique extemporaneous monologues at venues across America and around the world. He's been a guest on the "Late Show with David Letterman," a contributor to WIRED, Slate and Salon, a web contributor to Vanity Fair and Radar Magazine, and his work has been frequently heard on the BBC and NPR. A feature film of his monologue "If You See Something Say Something" will be released this year, and he stars in the Lawrence Krauser film "Horrible Child." His first book, "21 Dog Years: A Cubedweller's Tale," was published by the Free Press and he is working on a second book, "Great Men of Genius," adapted from his monologues about genius and megalomania in the lives of Bertolt Brecht, P.T. Barnum, Nikola Tesla, and L. Ron Hubbard. He has been nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, two Drama League Awards, and has been the recipient of the Bay Area Critics Circle Award, three Seattle Times Footlight Awards, and a MacDowell Fellowship. He lives in New York City with his director and collaborator, Jean-Michele Gregory.

Friday, July 24
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "An Evening With Billy Collins" - Presented by The Southampton Review

Join Billy Collins, Frank McCourt, Roger Rosenblatt, Robert Reeves and other special guests to celebrate the latest issue of the Stony Brook Southampton MFA program's literary magazine.

Thursday, July 30
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "Ensemble Studio Theater Onstage"

Artist members of this esteemed off-Broadway theatre return with a reading of another fascinating new play.

Friday, July 31
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "The Alan J. Pakula Prize"

This year, Stony Brook Southampton and the Writers Guild of America, East will offer an evening with another major, original voice in screenwriting and directing, whose career has promoted social conscience and human understanding.

Saturday, Aug. 1
7:30 p.m., Avram Theater - "A Conversation on Film Writing with Alec Baldwin and Jon Robin Baitz"

Actor/director Alec Baldwin and playwright/screenwriter/actor Jon Robin Baitz join us for a surprising, humorous and practical conversation about what makes great screenwriting as they screen examples of clips from some of their favorite films.

Also, again this year, a select number of special events will be opened to the public. Tickets to Saturday evening events are $35, $10 for seniors, students and Stony Brook University faculty and staff. Weekday evening events are $25/$10. For ticket information, call 631-632-5152 or visit www.stonybrook.edu/avram.