Second Sundays: Play Reading & Open Mic Poetry September 13, 2009

Traveling Performance and Educational Arts Company Opera Piccola begins its new free play reading & poetry series at its Oakland headquarters.

On Sunday, September 13 from 4-6 PM, Opera Piccola opens SECOND SUNDAYS, a free play reading series and poetry open mic, located in Oakland's Dimond District, at 2946 MacArthur Blvd.

Known for its innovative use of audience participation in performances, and for educational programs in the public schools, Opera Piccola seeks to provide additional access to the arts during hard times. "We are getting frequent requests at our new site for classes and arts events. In the current economic climate, the public is missing out on seeing new plays," reports Artistic Director Susannah Wood. "People want to come together and see life through a different lens, experience new ideas, then talk about what matters to them," says Wood.

The reading on September 13 will include excerpts of plays by two emerging local writers: "Ring," by Anthony Hall, and "Children and Crime," by Kari Ann Owen. Audience members will be invited to discuss the plays at 5 pm, followed by a poetry open mic. Later events in Opera Piccola's Second Sundays series will include "Women without Men" by Shahrnush Parsipur, Ten-Minute Short Plays, new plays by teen writers, plays for children and Create Your Own Play, for children and adults.

Our first play reading is for age 15+. Some of our future events will be for children & adults.

Opera Piccola is an educational theatre company based in East Oakland. Since 1989, it has served over 500,000 children, adults and families in libraries, senior centers, parks, malls, homeless shelters and other accessible gathering places. Opera Piccola's mission is to serve people of all ages who have little or no access to the arts. Opera Piccola's intimate, interactive Small Works performances engage audiences as part of the show. Its ArtGate Residency Program helps young people succeed by giving them a voice through the arts.

Free event but donations will be gratefully accepted.

Official Website: http://www.opera-piccola.org