Ada teen pens play about love
Jun. 17—LIMA — Anyone who's had a relationship can relate: They're not easy to have, to grow or to keep.
Watch a relationship live and breathe on stage starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday as Encore Theatre, 991 N. Shore Drive, Lima, presents the premiere of Wes Allen's "A Work in Progress."
Allen, 18, of Ada and a recent homeschooled high school graduate, says the play is the first he's written. Allen also directs the play, as well as appears in the production in the role of Aaron in the June 25-27 shows.
Karen Finn, a member of the Encore Theatre board of trustees and a co-producer for the show, said there were several factors that were considered before Encore decided to produce the show with Allen.
"Much of it came down to trust in Wes and our belief in his ability to work through the aspects of developing a new play," she said.
Allen listened to suggestions for changing the script, made revisions, and continued to improve his play through the rehearsal process, working with the actors and production team, Finn said.
What inspired Allen to write "A Work in Progress," and to work continually to revise, improve and bring the play to life?
"Throughout my life I have always been drawn to stories about love and relationships. And it really felt natural to write a story that deals with that very subject," Allen said. "I more specifically had a certain feeling that I wanted the audience to feel; I will let them come (see the show) and find out what that feeling might be."
Finn added, "The play shows the happiness every relationship has, along with the problems and the pain. It raises the question: Is love worth the hardship, or is it something we are better off without?"
Allen tried to summarize his play.
"The play, in a sentence, would be this: A story of everything, a story of love, and a story of human insecurities," Allen said.
He can't say whether he prefers acting, directing or writing. Allen has found something to love about each experience he's had with the theater. He credits his mother, who majored in theater in college, for helping him find his first opportunity to act, which was in "A Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" at Encore Theatre.
"I never really knew anything about acting or theatre until that first show I did in 2015, but I am very grateful to have gotten to experience everything that theatre has to offer," Allen said.
He plans to attend Franklin University and study cybersecurity. Allen wants to work in the technology field, "although if the opportunity to work in and around the theater were to come up in the future, it would be a dream come true," he said.
If you can't make the show on Friday, you can still catch "A Work in Progress" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday or 2 p.m. Sunday. The show continues at 7:30 p.m. June 25 and 26 and 2 p.m. June 27. All tickets are $10.
