Calling all local and regional directors, techies, designers, actors, and creatives of all types. The William Inge Theatre Festival, April 23–25, offers free workshops for performing artists to refine techniques, build skills, and support local productions—while also welcoming anyone curious about theatre to join and explore.

Workshops are led by visiting guest artists experienced in creating performances in community settings.

“Director’s Cut Performance” will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 24, at the Independence Community College Black Box Theater. Texas-based theater maker Andrew Roblyer, who specializes in directing, designing, and producing community-based shows on budgets of “zero dollars and higher,” will lead actors through improvisation and rehearsal, demonstrating how directors and actors shape and evolve their work together.

On Saturday, April 25, local writers are especially encouraged to attend the 1 p.m. session, “Community Workshop: How to Start Writing a Play,” led by Andrew Rosendorf. His plays have been presented or developed by groups such as Manhattan Class Company, Kansas City Rep, and La Jolla Playhouse. The workshop will take place in Room 102 of the Fine Arts Building.

At the same time, attendees can learn more about Independence native and festival namesake during the “Inge Lecture.” Playwright Shannon TL Kearns, president of the William Inge Festival Foundation, will share how William Inge’s hometown influenced his stories and career. This session will be held at the ICC Library.

Additional workshops will be offered from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, in the Fine Arts Building, covering topics such as musical theatre, puppetry, Shakespeare, stage combat, and acting.

Admission is free to all events. Visit www.ingecenter.org or call (620) 332-5492 for more information.

The festival is named for Pulitzer Prize and Oscar-winning dramatist William Inge (1913–1973), a native of Independence. Since its founding in 1981, the festival has welcomed internationally acclaimed writers to Independence Community College.

The Inge Festival is produced by Independence Community College, with support from the Kansas Arts Commission and the William Inge Festival Foundation. It was designated the Official Theater Festival of Kansas by the state legislature in 2009.