State Historical Society offers free theater workshop

COLUMBIA — The State Historical Society of Missouri is offering a free play writing and theater performance workshop beginning Tuesday and will continue every third Tuesday of the month until May. Mary Barile will teach new and experienced writers how to use historical documents, such as manuscripts found in the society's collection, as primary sources for crafting scripts. Barile is the artistic director of Missouri History in Performance.

"I've seen her work with scripts and (the participants) would benefit from her knowledge," said Christine Montgomery, photograph specialist for the State Historical Society.

Participants will develop and discuss scripts, learn performance techniques and read works in progress. Upon the workshop's conclusion in May, a reading of scripts developed during the season will be presented.

The workshop will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the State Historical Society of Missouri conference room, located at the intersection of Hitt Street and Lowry Mall at MU. It is open to the public and no registration is required. Participants are not required to attend all the sessions, but are encouraged to do so. According to Montgomery, each session will focus on a different topic.