Cold Reads, Hot Scripts: Hear Your Script Read Aloud By Actors!
By Blayr Austin
Zak Kinnaird heads a fantastic organization which allows writers to hear their scripts read on stage by actors. I participated in this event so I know firsthand how useful it is to improve the quality of your writing by seeing the characters come to life! Zak creates a friendly atmosphere that allows risks to be taken among fellow creative types.
We interviewed Zak about what’s required to get involved. I highly recommend applying to help your script and acting skills improve!
Women in Comedy: What is Cold Reads, Hot Scripts?
Zak: A free monthly event for Chicago writers to see their work cold read by talented actors in a private workshop-like setting in rotating Chicago theater spaces. Writers and actors are allowed to bring guests but the otherwise closed-session format provides a comfortable environment for writers to request constructive feedback on their work.
Women in Comedy: What opportunities are there for writers and actors?
Zak: Writers can submit a script to be performed as a cold read. If the writer’s script is selected for performance, the writer is invited to the cold read session to introduce their work to the other writers and actors. If time allows, the writer can also give light direction to the actors, try the scene again with a recasting of actors, or hear constructive feedback from the performers and other writers.
Actors get a chance to meet the writers who are producing new work and also get first crack bringing the writer’s characters to life.
Women In Comedy: How can writers submit their scripts?
Zak: Writers can submit their work by uploading their script on the Cold Reads, Hot Scripts website: http://coldreadshotscripts.com/writers
Women In Comedy: How can actors get involved?
Zak: Actors can sign up to be cast on the Cold Reads, Hot Scripts website: http://coldreadshotscripts.com/actors Signing up to perform involves providing information about the actor in order to best match the actor to the characters in the selected scripts.
Women In Comedy: What is the value of hearing a script read out loud?
Zak: Writers who see their work cold read have concrete insight into how their script will be interpreted once it’s fully produced. Without seeing a script cold read first, a writer may only get to see their work performed once it’s in production and out of their hands. The writer’s lines of dialogue may sound completely different spoken out loud by actors compared to how the lines were initially imagined on the page. Writers also get the added benefit of seeing actors put their own spin on a character which can add depth, humor, and dimension that a writer had not previously considered.
Women In Comedy: What is the benefit for actors reading the scripts?
Zak: Actors will get the first chance to read, hear, and perform the newest material Chicago has to offer before it’s even in production. Actors also get to meet the writers and other actors who may be thinking about casting for the projects being read that day or other projects they are working on.
Women In Comedy: What has been the most interesting experience with your organization to date?
Zak: It’s been incredibly exciting watching how much this event has grown already. What started in 2017 as plans for a reunion of old friends became a spontaneously hosted cold read session in an apartment living room. Only a few months later this event is hosted in rotating theaters around Chicago with over 50 people already submitting writing and volunteering as actors. It’s incredibly interesting and exciting to see how this event will evolve in the future.
