From First Inspiration to a Life on the Stage: A Timeline

2004: Playwright Gwendolyn Rice stumbles upon "a newspaper account of when the photos were found amongst (Ernest) Hemingway's possessions. I had never heard of Walker Evans, but the story really intrigued me."

January 2008: Gwen submits her new play, A THOUSAND WORDS, to the Wisconsin Wrights New Play Development Project.

February 2008: As a member of WI Wrights judges' panel, MCT Education Director/Literary Manager Jacque Troy reads and evaluates a total of thirteen plays. Three are chosen for workshop readings in Madison, including A THOUSAND WORDS.

May 2008: Jacque attends a reading in Madison hosted by WI Wrights to hear the script aloud, take additional notes, and hear audience feedback.  This visit will inform months of email correspondence with the playwright to fine tune the play.

March 2009: Gwen's script receives a workshop and a staged reading as part of MCT's Montgomery Davis Play Development Series. Gwen is unable to attend, as she is in Madison awaiting the imminent arrival of her second child.  The reading, as well as the audience's enthusiastic feedback, is videotaped for her.

December 2009: Discussions begin between MCT Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright and Forward Theater Company (FTC) Artistic Director Jennifer Uphoff Gray about collaborating on a joint production.

April 2010: A THOUSAND WORDS is chosen as a perfect project for collaboration because of our early investment in the script development and our shared interest in promoting Wisconsin talent.

August 2010: Both staffs meet for initial discussions about potential sharing of resources.

November 2010: Michael and Jennifer begin to discuss possible actors and designers.  Jacque begins research with Milwaukee archivists, museum curators, and public education administrators to formulate a plan for education outreach for both school and public audiences.

December 2011: FTC hosts its first rehearsal of the play.  Four staff members from MCT attend. Rewrites continue through the rehearsal process.

January 19- February 5, 2012: Forward Theater Company run at the Overture Center in Madison

February 17 -March 11, 2012: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre run in the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre