Location
About
The Crowbait Club is coming to the Hudson Valley! Once a month, playwrights, directors, actors, and audiences gather at Catskill’s funky and cozy Avalon Lounge to witness original 10-minute plays, pitted against each other in a rollicking evening of "theatre deathmatch."
Crowbait is when and where stories come to play; a party, a contest, a game where theatre fans come to explore new works and ideas. Playwrights arrive prepared with a 10-minutes-or-less play in response to a monthly prompt. After a two-minute rehearsal — with willing audience members as volunteer actors — it’s showtime! At the end of the night, the house votes on their favorite play, with the cast and playwright crowned The Crowbait Club Champions of the Month.
No prior experience necessary for playwrights or actors, just an ease with the unexpected, a team spirit, sense of play, and the willingness to jump in and put on a show. The evening is hosted by Columbia County Players actor Tristan Geary. The series is a collaboration between Columbia County Players and The Hudson Observer, a new culture and literary magazine founded and edited by Geary. Winning plays are published in The Hudson Observer.
The Crowbait Club began in Portland, Maine at Mama's Crow Bar, and has been running since 2011. Columbia County Players founder and artistic director Carol Rusoff discovered it when her granddaughter invited her to a monthly party in Maine; folks 18 to 88 — both novice and experienced writers, playwrights, actors, and audiences — gathered for the fun and creative challenge of it all. The experience stuck, so CCP brings it to our community.
- When: Third Sunday of each month, launching Oct. 18, 7–9 pm.
- Premier prompt: DOORS
- Where: The Avalon Lounge, 29 Church St., Catskill, NY 12414
- Admission: FREE and open to all. Donations gratefully accepted.
Questions or comments? Contact [email protected] or [email protected]