New Works Play Reading: Emme and the Taking of the Woods

Jef Petersen is a playwright, director, educator and sometimes actor. He currently lives on the border of Washington and Idaho in the beautiful area known as the Palouse. He holds an MFA in Playwriting and Directing from the University of Idaho, an MA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Playwriting Pedagogy from the University of Oregon. His plays have been performed in Oregon and Idaho, and his play An Elaborate System of Ropes and Pulleys was performed as a fully staged reading in Emory University's Brave New Works Festival. His most performed play, which surprises even him, is The Naked Play. Petersen has directed a wide range of plays in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, including: The Dog in the Manger by Lope de Vega, Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlow, Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl, Ordinary Time –a new work by Sandra Hosking, and multiple devised and improvised shows. Jef teaches theatre and art classes at Lewis-Clark State College and the College of Western Idaho. He is currently the KCACTF Region VII National Playwriting Program Chairperson. Jef has worked professionally as an improv actor in Oregon and Idaho but has been on a bit of an improv hiatus for the past eight years. He is an avid painter and does it any chance he gets, which is not often enough.

James Lortz is a Professor of Acting here at Western. He has been a faculty member for 24 years, producing many popular productions. His background includes professional acting at well-known venues in well-known works. Read his full bio.