The Pandemic Players – Table Reading Plays Weekly on Zoom

In a series of Zoom Matinees each week, The Pandemic Players read live from some of the world’s best-known playwrights and authors. The troupe does not rehearse or practice prior to show time. They read each piece cold giving viewers a spontaneous and raw theatrical experience. The excitement and uncertainty of a first read is something only actors know and love, but now the Schoolhouse audience has a seat at the table, too.

“The Pandemic Players is a fist in the face of all we are facing right now,” said the theater’s Artistic Director Bram Lewis. “So many gifted artists have come through the doors of the Schoolhouse and many of them have agreed to regroup informally to celebrate what’s best in the theater.” Lewis continued, “And stick around for discussions after the show. Our audiences always enjoyed the opportunity to mingle and converse with the artists. After every reading, we invite viewers to ask the actors questions and share their experience. It is extremely popular.”

The Pandemic Players offer a virtual Master Class in theater. Zoom Matinees each week give viewers a taste of a live stage performance from the obscure, “Vieux Carré,” by Tennessee Williams, to the mainstream, “Sylvia,” by A.R. (Pete) Gurney, to a classic with a twist, an all-female cast of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple.” Special guests who have appeared with The Pandemic Players include Robert Klein, Austin Pendleton and Lois Robbins.

The Schoolhouse Theater’s Pandemic Players read on most Fridays at 1:00 pm (EST). For December the matinees will shift to Saturdays at 1:00pm. It is free of charge on Zoom and runs about 90 minutes. Schedule, show times and links are available by visiting www.TheSchoolhouseTheater.org.