The Snow Queen Workshop Reading with Seattle Children's Theatre

Details

The Snow Queen is a remarkable adaptation of the beloved Hans Christian Andersen story, penned by NYC-based playwright Matt Opatrny. The adaptation remains faithful to Andersen’s wild tale, presenting the struggle between good vs evil. When Kay is taken by the Snow Queen who lives in a world of ice and snow, faithful Gerda is determined to embark on an unforgettable adventure where flowers sing, animals talk, and riddles yearn to be revealed. Will Gerda’s love and grief save her best friend Kay before he is trapped forever in the Snow Queen’s palace? Join us in this courageous and whimsical force of deep human connection and belonging.

This workshop reading of The Snow Queen is the second phase of developing the script for future production. In partnership with Western Washington University (WWU) and National Nordic Museum (NNM), this reading is part of a three-year plan to foster the development of new work at WWU during the summers, with the ultimate goal of premiering productions on SCT's mainstage. Originally premiered in New York City during the fall of 2017, the play is currently undergoing significant rewriting and development for its West Coast premiere at Seattle Children's Theatre mainstage in November 2024.

WHAT IS A SCRIPT READING?

A script reading is where professional actors read a script live from the stage. Actors deliver their lines dramatically from the script with minimal direction and movement, but in character and with vigor. There are no technical elements such as props, costumes, scenery, or lighting, but the stage directions are read aloud to give the audience the context for each scene.

As with any writing, revision is a key part of the process to develop a play. Unlike other types of writing, theatrical scripts are mostly dialogue, therefore hearing the words read aloud is instrumental to revising a script, prior to adding props, costumes or even blocking.

A script reading provides audiences the opportunity to interact in the theatrical process and serves as a sneak peek at a potential upcoming production. They’re often more experimental, and not every reading becomes a show, so the audience is always seeing and hearing something unique.