OHIO

Ohio University MFA Playwriting Program

  • Home
  • News
  • Faculty
  • MFA Bios
  • Fest
    • 2022 Festival (28th)
    • 2021 Festival (27th)
    • 2020 Festival (COVID-19)
    • 2019 Festival (25th)
    • 2018 Festival
    • 2017 Festival
    • 2016 Festival
    • 2015 Festival
    • 2014 Festival
    • 2013 Festival
    • 2012 Festival
    • 2011 Festival
    • 2010 Festival
    • 2009 Festival
    • 2008 Festival
    • 2007 Festival
    • 2006 Festival
    • 2005 Festival
    • 2004 Festival
    • 2003 Festival
    • 2002 Festival
    • 2001 Festival
    • 2000 Festival
    • 1999 Festival
    • 1998 Festival
    • 1997 Festival
    • 1996 Festival
  • Madness
  • Curriculum
  • Alumni
  • Links

Play Reading by alum Jason Half in the Hahne this upcoming week!

EVENT: Public staged reading of SUNDIAL, a new play about coal mining and communities
Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. in Athens, Ohio

The Dramatists Guild’s First Thursdays Reading Series presents a public staged reading of Sundial, a play about West Virginia coal mining and the communities affected by it. The new work will be presented at the Hahne Theater in Kantner Hall (Ohio University Campus, Athens) at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 4. Admission is free.

In Sundial, a West Virginia elementary schoolteacher pushes to change the policies of the coal company that are affecting her town. But her position proves complicated, as her neighbors, friends, and family work for – and benefit from – the coal business.

Inspired by the events of Marsh Fork Elementary and the mountaintop removal process occurring beside it, the new play explores the relationship and responsibilities between corporation and community.

While a graduate student at Ohio University, writer Jason Half received a grant, the Anthony Trisolini Award, to begin research for a play that would explore the subject of coal mining and its effects on Appalachian communities. An earlier draft of the script had a public reading in June, presented at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre in Marietta.

“I don’t want this play to take sides,” said Half. “Instead, I hope Sundial makes the audience ask questions about the best way a town can work with a business that has both benefits and risks.”

Jason Half is an Ohio-based writer who has taught scriptwriting at Marietta College and through the Colony Theater and the Ohio Arts Council. Recently, his work has received public presentations in Chicago and Pittsburgh. He is the recipient of the 2010 Scott McPherson playwriting award. He currently teaches composition and literature courses at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

This is Half’s first full-length script set in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The honesty and quiet passion of the West Virginia characters came alive for Half as they confronted challenges to family, work, and land in the play, he said.

The reading will be directed by Ohio University graduate student Ryan Holihan. Student and faculty actors will perform a variety of roles as parents, miners, teachers, officials, protestors, and supporters in the play.

“I’m excited to bring this story to an audience affected by these issues,” Half said. “It’s a story that will speak to everyone in this area who sees it.”

More about Jason Half

Jason Half has been telling stories for two decades. A graduate of Ohio University’s M.F.A. Playwriting program, Jason’s stage plays have had readings in Chicago and Pittsburgh and performances in Maine, Ohio, and Wisconsin. He is the recipient of the 2010 Scott McPherson Playwriting Award and, as writer and director, his film The Ballad of Faith Divine won the Best Feature award at 2009’s Colony Film Festival. In 2011, Jason’s sitcom pilot My Advice was a finalist in a national
script contest and was optioned by a New York City production company. Jason has taught film, theater, and composition courses at Marietta College, Washington State Community College, and West Virginia University – Parkersburg.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

alumni
  • « Prev
  • Next »

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com

  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • Follow Following
    • OHIO
    • Join 61 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • OHIO
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: