This one-of-a-kind collection of "poemscripts"-small dramatic readings written for the ear-offers a unique glimpse into the myths, stories, and folktales of many cultures from around the world. Written in poetic lines that enhance their sound and musicality, these short pieces assign specific parts to the actors and readers, as is common in more traditional plays. They are a blend of both poetry and drama.
Whether it's an African folktale ("How the Rabbit Got Two Ears"), an Ancient Greek myth ("Orpheus and Eurydice"), or a Yiddish talmudic tale ("Midrash"), these works offer a wide range of material for solo actors or larger casts. Some pieces generate a choral effect with several voices contributing individual lines, while others allow a performer to portray a single character like a tribal storyteller, a tragic hero, or the King of Death. And some pieces even have parts that consist only of percussive or repetitive sounds that add mood and depth to the already dramatic tale.
For the seasoned ensemble, the novice performer, or the conventional reader, these enchanting works are unique in their style and richness.
About the Author: A longtime storyteller, Ed Schwartz has been invited to develop dramatic performances in prisons, churches, middle schools, high schools, colleges, as well as in conventional theaters. Stories from the World: 14 Poemscripts was developed in response to the need to have solid dramatic works that could profitably be read aloud without extensive rehearsal.
Schwartz is also the author of Faithful Voices, Shakespeare Poemscripts, Bringers of the Light, and The Jews That I Knew.
