By Francesca Merwin, staff writer

Tom takes the bus down from Auburn nine months out of the year. He’s an older gentleman, and it’s a long ride, but he faithfully takes the 35-minute trip to Syracuse’s Jazz Central as often as he can. He doesn’t say much, unlike the others. And believe me, there are others. Some from even farther away, like Ithaca and Watertown. But every one of them makes the pilgrimage to come together in the small theater in downtown Syracuse, to hear a story and be part of a theatrically familial group.

The group is the Armory Square Playhouse, a playwrights’ collective organization, that consists of 11 dedicated individuals – no, playwrights – who really enjoy theater. The organization grew from the Contemporary Theater of Syracuse about 25 years ago, and three of the founding members still participate in it today. One of those pioneers is Len Fonte, currently the production coordinator. “We just keep on rolling. It’s been a long, long time,” Fonte notes.

 The members meet monthly to share scripts they’ve written and bounce ideas off of each other in a collaborative, critically constructive manner. “It’s as much support group as it is literary troupe,” Fonte jokes. “You get to know each other pretty darn well when you see each other’s writing all the time. You see what’s on everyone’s mind so we have a good critical eye towards each other’s work, and we’re very honest with each other.”

After the group has some polished scripts, they present them to the public in full productions or script-in-hand readings. “There’s always a piece we get really excited about that grabs you right in the heart.”

This month, Fonte’s own play will take the stage. “Melagrana” is about the controversial murder of Meredith Kercher, a 21-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted and murdered while studying in Perugia, Italy, in 2007 by her American roommate and several others. Fonte’s play focuses on the ‘what ifs’ in the life of the American roommate, Amanda Knox.  “It’s terrifying. You have to find a director, a cast, you get one or two rehearsals, and then you bring it to the stage.”

Following Fonte’s production, November’s show is “In My Shoes” by Watertown’s Playwright in Residence Craig Thornton. The play is about the effect of deployment on children of Fort Drum soldiers. For December’s show, each playwright composes a 10-minute holiday play. These are presented together, and all proceeds benefit Friends of Dorothy House, a non-profit AIDS hospice in Syracuse.

With its community-oriented atmosphere and its philanthropic mission, it’s no surprise that the Armory Square Playhouse has remained strong for the past 25 years. And people will continue to flock to Jazz Central many months out of the year to see these plays, as long as the playwrights keep writing them.

“Melagrana” will take place on October 9; “In My Shoes” will take place on November 13; and, the benefit show will take place on December 11. Each show is at 1pm at Jazz Central, located at 441 E. Washington St. and just steps off the Connective Corridor bus route, a FREE service. Admission is $7 or $5 for seniors and students. For more information, please visit the website.