'Just Write! Lakeland' Keeps The Show Moving Virtually

LAKELAND, FL — The show and rehearsals must go on, at least virtually in the time of the coronavirus pandemic, at Just Write! Lakeland.

The organization was founded in 2018, and its mission is to help playwrights of all ages and skill levels improve their work. It also gives actors a chance to stay connected to their craft during a time when acting jobs aren't as fluid.

Every Monday night, actors, directors and writers read aloud a submitted original work by not only local writers, but also those from Venice, St. Petersburg, Bradenton and other areas.

"We assist the writers with their scripts by offering critiques on their work after the actors read it," secretary Tammy Hanson told Patch. "This gives them the opportunity to hear their work, and helps them to sharpen their storytelling."

Hanson said it is up to the writers if they want to apply suggested changes to their script, and then resubmit to the board for another critique. Some plays that are submitted are chosen by Just Write! Lakeland President Jon Fedkiw for production.

Due to coronavirus safety precautions, Just Write! Lakeland has shifted its performances from in-person to livestreaming.

"We did a virtual stage reading of 'An Evening of Stage Readings' in July where we had pretty good sales," Hanson said. "We had more people buy tickets for our virtual performance than we expected."

Proceeds from the $5 virtual tickets were donated to local nonprofit Just Cares Inc.

In October, the artists will present a virtual stage performance of "Walrus: A Beatles Sing-Along," written by Vincent L. Scarsella.

Scarsella's work is an example of a work that went through a couple of the Monday night critique processes and was chosen for production.

The virtual production of the musical will be performed at Lkld Live's performance space located at 202 North Massachusetts Avenue. Performance dates are scheduled for Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 16-18.

If you are an actor or scriptwriter who would like to attend a Monday night meeting, you can either attend in person or virtually. If you do decide to attend in-person at 210 E. Lemon St., chairs are set up at the rehearsal space in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for social distancing.

To attend virtually, reach out to the group at Just Write! Lakeland for a Google meet link along with the script.

Donations are accepted on its website to help continue to bring art to life in the community. Ticket information and the schedule of upcoming shows can also be found on the Just Write! Lakeland website.