Reading of "John Proctor is the Villain" by Table/Read at Aster House

I attended the inaugural Table/Read event last August, #TCTheater artist Grant Sorenson's new series in which a group of talented local actors read a play. The fun part is - the play is not announced until literally seconds before the reading begins. Grant has chosen plays that we have not seen here in the Twin Cities before, so it's a great way to be exposed to new plays that may not be produced here, at least anytime soon. And it's so rare that I go to the theater not knowing anything about what I'm about to see, even the title, that it's a fun surprise. Table/Read happens monthly, but I'm so busy during the theater season that I typically need my Monday nights off, so I haven't been able to go back until this month, when things are still a little quiet as we come back from holiday break. I picked a good night to attend Table/Read; the play was the buzzy recent Tony-nominated play John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower, soon to be adapted into a film. Visit Table/Read's website or follow them on social media for news of February's event. And don't miss Grant directing the first #TCTheater professional production of Oscar Wilde's Salomé in February.

Reading of "The Antipodes" by Table/Read at PAIKKA

After two years at Boston University earning his MFA in Directing, #TCTheater artist Grant Sorenson is back in town and jumping right in making good things. He has plans for a new theater company (which will hopefully continue the great and interesting work of Arrow Theater), but for now, Grant has introduced a new and exciting monthly theater event - one-night-only readings of new plays, fittingly called Table/Read. That in itself is a really cool idea, but what makes this series truly unique is that the name of the play is not announced until the moment the reading begins. We always go into the theater knowing something about the work, even if it's just the title and playwright. But often the promotional materials, social media, and/or the program have information on what the play is about - a short plot summary, character descriptions, or even just the location and time period of the story. It's extremely rare to watch a performance and know absolutely nothing about what's going to happen. And that's exciting! The first monthly Table/Read did not disappoint, with an excellent choice of play read by a powerhouse cast of nine of #TCTheater's best actors that gave fully realized performances despite having just one zoom rehearsal. And it was preceded by drinks and conversation in the lovely courtyard outside PAIKKA, an event space in Vandalia Towers. But I won't get too attached to that; each reading will take place at a different non-traditional space. Follow Table/Read on Instagram or watch their website for details on the next monthly reading. And for artists - check out the artist nights, intended to be a place where artists can connect.