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June 29, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels April 23, 2004 Writing a play is an arduous process, but has its rewards Andrew Scot Bolsinger He's the Starman, who speaks at local meetings about the winter solstice and the planets aligning. He's an ordained (fittingly via the Internet) minister, who did his son's wedding and recently was the impromptu preacher at a mainstream Christian church. He's the champion of culture as the arts and entertainment editor for both of the region's daily newspapers. He's the founder of the Horizon Institute who challenges people to ask, "What does it mean to be human?" He's a painter. A writer. And if that's not enough, he's a budding playwright. He is Richard Moeschl, who recently finished a play called "Arthur's Dreams." Monday, several friends and acquaintances from the arts community gathered to read his play and then provide feedback on its merit. What Moeschl really wants "is to see this play on stage," he says passionately. So forget pride. He chucked that and submitted himself to the wisdom of respected actors, playwrights, directors and theater teachers who gathered to first read his play, and then tear it apart. When it was all over, Moeschl simply said, "Wasn't that wonderful?" Because despite all of his many interests, Moeschl wants to see his play on stage like a young rocker playing in a garage wants to be on MTV. Or a tortured writer wants to see his book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble. So, all that really matters is making it better. Moeschl's like so many of us who work hard at one thing, volunteer at another, and like a curious puppy find so many other things interesting enough to want it bite, chew on it and explore it. These interests and the dreams that lie behind them are the thing that really makes us human. Remodeling The amazing part of writing is that you create something, only to know that it has to be torn down. Plays or books aren't built, they are remodeled. You write the perfect novel, or play, or story, or screenplay, and then people tell you everything that's wrong with it. Then you chop, and dice and tear it down, only to turn right back around and start writing in more. Often this happens far more than once. Knowing this, Moeschl gathered this group of local luminaries. Others watched, in pure delight as three generations of a family wrestled with topics common to us all, like aging, love, broken dreams, fulfilled wishes and at the bottom of it all, the utter difficulties of finding peace and purpose in this harried life we live. For the small gathered group, it was an evening of celebration, the sharing of the craft. For the love of the play. Pouring it out For two hours, the characters read their lines. Moeschl sat quietly behind them, his mouth often moving, silently reading along. His eyes danced with delight hearing the play that flew from his fingertips and played a thousand times across his mind's eye. No, it wasn't on stage, but it was being laid out there, naked and raw, for folks to see. At the end, the small group gave the playwright an enthusiastic ovation. Then he asked for it. "What do I have to do to make this better?" Lovingly, they told him ... very, very bluntly. "It feels like you have three plays here," one of the readers said. "Pick one." More drama, less poetry. More action, less talking. More depth, fewer names, and on, and on. Moeschl dutifully took notes, rarely offering a rebuttal to the consistent criticism of his work of passion. Wasn't it tough? "Not a bit," he said. "Nobody said they didn't like the play. They simply told me what was wrong with it, and how I can make it better." And it was fascinating. For any writer, or actor, or would-be director, to hear the passionate discourse over what really makes a play work. The next day, Moeschl woke a bit tired from the late evening, a bit drained from all the arrangements of the small event, a bit exposed from putting his play out for there for others to see. He felt great. "I am already working on the revisions," he said. Because tearing it down, and rebuilding it, is the only way to fulfill the dream, to one day see it on stage. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams