An idea for a theatre piece enters the artist's mind, develops into a rough draft which then seeks an environment where it can attain its final form. During its three-month workshop process at the Jon Sims Center for the Performing Arts, Bear-A-Go-Go! written and performed by Alan Reade has swiftly matured from a cub of a draft to a full-grown grizzly of a script.

Composed of seven monologues, Bear-A-Go-Go! introduces the audience to seven very different bears who earnestly explore their psyches. (For those of you who've been hibernating for the last ten years, the term "bear" generally refers to a stocky and hairy man.) Included are giggly 19 year old Warren, soft-spoken computer nerd Norm, flashy and angry Leon (perhaps Reade's most energetic character), assimilationist real estate agent Barry, kindly Mama Bear, pig-bear Hank, and politically active leather cubby Brian. Each portrayal is distinctly different thanks to Reade's control of vocal pitch and rhythm as well as some costume changes.

Developing a play is by no means easy. Offering much talent and a pleasing stage presence, writer-performer Reade works hard during this work-in-progress phase. Some moments may go on too long, while others are not yet fully explored. From first public performance in July to the second in August, Reade continued fleshing out his characters, focusing more and more on each man's individual "agenda."

With production values at a minimum, how do you entertain an audience during six onstage costume changes? Though the July performance used a strobe light and disco music, Reade tried something different for the August performance: GO-GO BEARS! Derrick (Reade's boyfriend) and John Caldera (the first International Bear Cub) wildly shook their (picnic) baskets and more for an appreciative crowd, at one point even ripping off each other's tank tops. Clearly, a very entertaining way to cover those pesky costume changes. Woo Hoo!

Attending a theatrical workshop gives the audience a unique opportunity to observe the developmental process and to participate by making comments. Following most performances at the Jon Sims Center, the audience is invited to ask questions and/or make suggestions. This can prove quite rewarding for all involved.

So check out the final workshop performance of Bear-A-Go-Go! at the Jon Sims Center on September 3. And share your thoughts after the show. It's a fascinating process.

Also playing at the Jon Sims Center for the Performing Arts are Sue Roginski who uses theater, dance, music, text and slide imagery to take a quirky look at what life should be (Sept. 10); Lisi DeHaas unclosets her relationship to performance in Studly, an investigation in movement and language (Aug. 20 and Sept. 17); and San Diego actress and playwright Zina Camblin in Bedroom Stories, a comedy about nine young women coming to terms with their womanhood as lesbians (Aug. 27 and Sept. 24).