Playwrights Local Presents A Free Reading of a New Play *THE CANVAS* *Written by Justin LazorDirected by Melissa Crum* Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 pm Presented Online via Zoom INFO & ZOOM ACCESS http://www.playwrightslocal.org/winter-roundtable-series-2021/ SYNOPSIS *The Canvas *is an examination of what we mean by “art” and a journey toward and across the thin line that separates art from violence. A scholarship student at an elite art school, Deborah finds it hard to fit in amongst her pretentious classmates, Gabriel and Michelle, who ostracize her for both her socioeconomic difference as well as her ideas about what constitutes art. When their flamboyant teacher, Professor Poisson, unveils his latest masterpiece, a completely blank canvas, Michelle and Gabriel fawn over his genius, but Deborah feels compelled to call “bullshit” and point out the fact that the emperor has no clothes. This sets into motion a heated battle of wits between teacher and student, which ultimately culminates in Deborah creating a shocking work of art that none of the others will ever forget. FEATURING Peter E. Toomey Ariana Starkman Hannah Storch Eric Golovan ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT Justin Lazor is a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area, as well as a lifelong student at Cleveland State University. In addition to currently being a 2nd year playwriting candidate in the NEOMFA program, he’s also earned both a BA and an MA at CSU. The first staged production of his work, a short play entitled First to Die Wins, debuted last February at Convergence Continuum during the annual NEOMFA Playwrights Festival. ABOUT THE COMPANY Playwrights Local is a theater company in Cleveland. As a playwrights’ center, our goal is to provide a home for dramatic writing in Northeast Ohio. We offer classes and workshops, produce original plays, provide networking opportunities, and engage the community through outreach projects. Learn more about programs such as our <http://www.playwrightslocal.org/young-playwrights-collective-ypc/>Winter Roundtable Series and our annual Open Call for Submissions at http://playwrightslocal.org/. Make your tax-deductible contributions to our 501(c)(3) group at http://www.playwrightslocal.org/donate/. # # #