The Long List
It is the job of the Play Choice person to start discussion over email regarding what play or types of plays Ensemble members are interested in doing the next semester. Votes should then be solicited from members and potential members, with the note that generally the Ensemble does not do plays that have been done by anyone currently in the Ensemble by the Ensemble, or anything that requires royalties. Three (ranked) plays per person are collected, and tallied into a Long List representing the Ensemble's top five choices.
The Short List
The short list is comprised of three plays. These are chosen by the director, once the director is chosen. Directors are frequently asked to have their short list prepared when we call them with our directorial decision. The list is to be comprised of any two plays from the Long List, and any other play the director chooses. We do not generally pay royalties for our plays, but if the director really wants us to read a particular (royalty-requiring play, that is up to the director.
Play Readings
Readings are scheduled for all plays on the Short List. Members are expected to attend the readings for any play they have not read, or otherwise become familiar with the play before Play Choice. The standard format for Play Readings is as follows: the first person takes the role of the first speaker in a scene, the next person (going around the circle) takes the next speaking role, and so on throughout the scene. For scenes with many characters, or a play reading with low attendance, people may have several characters in one scene. When the scene ends, the first character in the next scene goes to the next person around the circle. All play readings should occur before the play choice meeting.
The Play Choice Meeting
Once all plays have been read, the director is invited to come and pitch ideas/concepts/thoughts for each of the three plays. Directors are free to have favorite or least favorite plays. After the pitches, the director leaves, and the Ensemble discusses the options and votes. The winner is the next play!