Hamptons.com Sponsored John Drew Theater Lab Debuts At Guild Hall

This winter, Guild Hall is introducing the John Drew Theater Lab (JDTLab), a workshop focused on furthering East End performing artists. The Hamptons.com sponsored series, which are free of charge and open to all, can be seen at 7:30 p.m. on select Tuesday evenings through May. They will start up again following the summer with productions in the fall and winter of 2014.

The program will kick off on Tuesday, February 4, with a staged reading of “Biloxi Blues” by Neil Simon. The production will mark the directorial debut of Sawyer Avery, who will be joined by Megan Minutillo as co-director.

The second chapter of Neil Simon’s “Eugene Trilogy,” follows the perspective of Private Eugene Morris Jerome, a 20-year-old Brooklynite who during World War II is drafted into the United States Army. After Morris Jerome is sent to Biloxi, Mississippi for basic training, he must learn to live with soldiers from all different backgrounds and deal with the obstacles that come with having an unstable Drill Sergeant. The cast will include Sawyer Avery, Christian Scheider, Christopher Imbrosciano, Joe Pallister, Evan Daves, Chloe Dirksen and Jessica Mortellaro.

The JDTLab will continue with first time playwright and long-time East Hampton resident, John J. Mullen’s “The Family Room” on Tuesday, February 11. Steve Hamilton will direct the production, which will feature Joseph Brondo, Lydia Franco Hodges, Ellen J. Myers, Julie King and Steve Hamilton, who appeared with Alec Baldwin in “Equus.”

As their mother lies dying in the Intensive Care Unit, two sisters and a brother, who have been estranged for over 30 years fight to come to terms with their relationship. The story of forgiveness and reconciliation explores the lasting effects of childhood.

The mission of the Lab is to provide the resources of the John Drew Theater to advance actively-engaged artists on their journey. Other performances will include an Improv Comedy Workshop on Tuesday, February 18, “The Personals” by Brian Sutow on Tuesday, March 4, “Turning Test” by Dominick DeGaetano on Tuesday, March 11, “Venus in Fur” by David Ives on Tuesday, March 18, The April Fool’s Show on Tuesday, April 1, “Renzo Calvano” by James Larocca on Tuesday, April 22, and “Voyeuer” by Kate Mueth and the Neo-Political Cowgirls on Tuesday, April 29.

Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. For more information call 631-324-0806 or visit www.guildhall.org.