Joe Sears, one of the creators of Tuna, Texas, and the physical manifestations of its many lunatic citizens through “Greater Tuna,” “A Tuna Christmas,” and “Red, White and Tuna,” will lead a playwriting workshop for The Playmakers on December 7, 2013, 10:00-1:00, in room #4 of the Community Center, 104 W. 3rd St, Grove. The minimum age for the workshop is 6th grade. Those wishing to participate must leave a message at 918-786-8950 to register and a volunteer will return the call. There is no charge for the workshop.
With assistance from the Gerald H. Westby, Jr. Foundation, Mr. Sears will lead this workshop for the students in the Playmakers’ Off Broadway Troupers youth theatre, and other students and adults interested in creative writing. In this inter-disciplinary workshop, students will select an art work to use as creative inspiration for their plays.
Joe Sears character, Aunt Pearl, is a favorite character from the “Greater Tuna” Play Series. He is the co-author and co-star of “Tuna Does Vegas,” as well as co-author and co-star of the wildly successful Tuna Trilogy. Mr. Sears has toured extensively with the Tuna Trilogy productions since 1982. His Broadway debut of “A Tuna Christmas,” earned him a 1995 Tony Award-nomination for Best Actor in a Play. His career has included a command performance for President and Mrs. George Bush at the White House. Mr. Sears’ Washington, DC engagement of “A Tuna Christmas” earned him his third nomination for the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actor. It was also nominated for Best Play. He co-wrote and starred in the Embassy Television/ Norman Lear Special of “Greater Tuna” which aired on HBO.
Mr. Sears has been acting professionally for more than 30 years. His credits include a season with Theatre Works USA in New York, summer stock, outdoor drama, television and eight Shakespeare plays. He appeared with Fannie Flagg (“Fried Green Tomatoes”) in “The Foreigner.”
Mr. Sears has appeared on the David Letterman and Merv Griffin shows and received a Los Angeles Dramalogue Award for his writing and performance of “Greater Tuna.” He made his movie debut with Tommy Lee Jones and Matt Damon in “The Good Old Boys.” Mr. Sears was one of the playwrights for the Cherokee Nation’s outdoor drama, “The Trail of Tears.” He co-wrote the libretto for the new Comic Opera “Ochelata’s Wedding,” commissioned by the OK Mozart International Music Festival.
Art for this workshop will be provided by Ann Holcomb and Mr. Sears. Ms. Holcomb is a former art conservator for Gilcrease Museum, and art consultant for University of Oklahoma’s Schusterman Campus in Tulsa, St. Francis Hospital, ONG and numerous office buildings in Tulsa. She just completed many terms as a member of The Playmakers’ Board of Directors.
Students will be mentored during the spring semester by Linda Fracek, AP English teacher at Grove High School, and Jonathan Elmore, playwright and Playmaker actor, director and set designer. Linda Fracek is a High School Advanced Placement English teacher. She is on the management team of The Playmakers and has worn many hats in her volunteer efforts. The AP English teachers in Grove High Schools require students to enter a writing contest at least each semester; Ms Fracek requires her students to enter every nine weeks. Jonathan Elmore’s short plays have been performed by The Playmakers, most recently his play, “I Haven’t A Clue.” His play “The Girl on the Train” was performed by The Playmakers and recently was honored by being selected to be one of the five plays in the Judith Karmen Short Play Festival in Stillwater, OK.
Information on Mr. Sears may be found on various websites and Facebook.