Local playwright Bridget Ossmann gets her first (workshop) production of “Teachers Left Behind,” a comedy with music about the state of education in America (“or: you may as well laugh about it’) tonight through Sunday at Miami University Hamilton.

 

“Teachers,” says director Bekka Eaton, “deals with state testing, No Child Left Behind, funding curriculum, parents, administrators and, of course, students,” as seen through the eyes of meddlesome retiring teacher Virginia Budge.

 

Ossmann, Eaton continues, took a playwriting course through Fairfield Community Arts Center after she had been gathering raw material for some years.

 

“It has had several incarnations. First it was envisioned as a book, then stand-up and or/a one-woman play. Upon taking Pat Davis’ course, it turned into a multi-character full-length play with music. (The playwright was a professional musician as well as a teacher for many years.)

“I attended the reading of Bridget’s play given at the FCAC months ago. During the reading itself, I was struck by how much everyone laughed. Not an easy task to pull off in a reading.

 

“During the talk-back session, in my capacity as director/professor, I was impressed by the passionate and thoughtful response the play engendered. The play packs a pretty big wallop regarding education and the insanity surrounding it in this country. It will step on a few toes, to be sure, but hopefully tickle them at the same time.

 

“Further, I had been looking for an opportunity to work with a Fairfield theatre group. (Part of our mission/vision statement involves an emphasis on community engagement.) On top of that, I was in the market for a comedy for our spring production.

The cast, production team, crew and band are a mixture of community members, kids and Miami students. It is going to be a hoot.

Meanwhile, the playwright is also my sister.”

 

There’s a reception and talk-back after the March 28 performance.

 

For reservations and information call 513-529-3200 or www.tickets.muohio.edu. Warning: strong language. Read more about Virginia Budge at myspace.com/virginiabudge.