Fellowship
Just returned to LA from 2 glorious weeks at the Sewanee Writers’ Conference where, along with these amazing folks, I got to be a Fellow. Which, essentially meant, having a workshop with Beth Henley and Dan O’Brien, eating my monthly allotments of fried chicken and pulled pork, and learning what I need to do next with my newest play DISCOVERY — the same play I started at Djerassi. For more in-depth, less food-focused, descriptions, check out Cody Walker at the Kenyon Review or Clifford Garstang.
I will miss the fireflies and cicadas and the way it started raining out of nowhere (hell, the way it started raining, period). And I’m so grateful to Sewanee and my fellow Fellows and workshop participants for making it a great two weeks. Thanks, y’all!
Essential Production Dramaturgy
For those attending the Playwrights Union reading on Friday, here is your packet.
Playwrights Union Reading
Just back from the Djerassi Residency (typing in the woods — it’s my new favorite) and I’m heading into rehearsals for a reading of a new play. It’s called Large as Life and Twice as Natural and the reading’s Friday, May 7th at 8:30pm at the Victory Theatre in Burbank. It’s part of a festival of readings organized by the wonderful Playwrights Union and info about all the readings can be found here
My play is about Internet addiction, moving West, and Keyboard Cat. So, you know, I had to do a ton of original research. Mr. Colin Wambsgans composed music for the many songs, and Ms. Becca Wolff is directing, and the cast is Samara Bay (previously seen as Caitlin in the Studio 42 reading of Caitlin and the Swan, back in NYC), Bryan Clarke, Katie Marie Davies, Patrick Hayle, and Matt Davis. Hooray for plays.
Retreat! Retreat!
Happy news came in the mail! I’ll be in residence at the Djerassi Resident Artist Program in Santa Cruz this spring, in March and April, working on a new play. If I hadn’t already written one, maybe I’d write about technology and fertility, like Mr. Djerassi himself.
Good Egg reading
This summer, I was lucky enough to get an EST/Sloan commission to do a re-write of Good Egg. Then, the Red Fern Theatre contacted me this fall about doing a reading of the play, so, awesomely, I get to have a reading of the new draft.
Lovely timing.
It’s this Monday, October 19, at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater, directed by Kel Haney and starring Andrea Day and Steve Boyer. Hope to see you there!
Species Native to California Reading
This Wednesday, May 13, Youngblood is presenting a reading of my new play Species Native to California, directed by Becca Wolff at 7pm.
The reading will be at @Seaport (redundant?) located at 210 Front Street, in the South Street Seaport. The play is epic and messy and features 8 beautiful actors speaking 2 languages.
More information about my working on the piece at the Youngblog.
If you can make it, I’d love to see you there.
Caitlin Press
A smattering of the (quite nice) things folks have had to say about The Management’s production of Caitlin and the Swan:
nytheatre.com
offoffonline
Neighborbee
Theatre is Easy
RetroVision Media
Caitlin and the Swan interview
Opening night of Caitlin and the Swan was last night and went great. Great, as defined by having your friend mutter, “It’s so funny . . . it’s so sad . . . but it’s so funny . . . but it’s so sad . . .” as he walks to the bar with you to celebrate.
In additional Caitlin news, here’s an interview that director Joshua Conkel and I did with the Neighborbee Blog.
Caitlin and the Swan
My new play Caitlin and the Swan goes up this Thursday, April 16th and runs through May 2! It’s a twisted comedy about feminism and animals, and it’s being presented by The Management. Thursdays are pay-what-you-can, and more information about the company and the production is here The cast is amazing, the sets are cool. There’s a swan…
The play was inspired by Leda and the Swan, and you can find out more about it from the Youngblog, or Broadway Bullet’s interview with my fabulous director Joshua Conkel.
Also, Colin Wambsgans composed original music for the show, and I hear he’s pretty good.