"Meglacanda" Table Read is a Monster Event!

TSA's Chris Hollo (left) introduces the actors from the 4th Wall Acting Studio.

At Nashville Film Institute, trained actors did a table read of the screenplay Meglacanda, which is written by two members of the Tennessee Screenwriting Association: Melissa Sheridan and her son, Jett. Their script - a sci-fi thriller "monster movie" in the vein of Godzilla or The Meg - is currently a semi-finalist in the Nashville Film Festival’s 2025 Screenplay Competition. Melissa and Jett wrote the script as part of TSA's Script School program.

It was a memorable occasion for me since I had only seen one other table read before (also hosted by the TSA). Approximately thirty people attended, along with 14 enthusiastic actors from The 4th Wall Acting Studio who graciously volunteered their time. The group read the first thirty-seven pages of the script, but time ran out before they could tackle Act II, leaving them eager for more.

After the table read, a Q&A session with Melissa and Jett yielded valuable insights and a few moments of levity. Notably, when asked about their favorite lines, one actor referenced the robot’s dialogue, “reconfiguring.” Another line - my favorite - was the character Chandler's quip: “just pizza.”

"Meglacanda" writers Melissa and Jett Sheridan tell the group where their script is headed next.

Thanks to TSA board member Chris Hollo for organizing the program and of course to the actors from 4th Wall. This project marks Melissa’s sixth feature script and represents Jett’s debut—likely the first of many from him.

We extend our best wishes and good luck to both writers in the NaFF screenwriting competition and all their future ventures. If you'd like to see more photos from the event, check out TSA's Facebook page.