Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Blog”
The research for this play, the sequel to “The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective,” is involved and dense. It’s also shocking, and quite moving. The topic of women locked up as “insane” when they weren’t is part of a very long and intersectional history of women being treated terribly by the medical profession, women of color worst of all. Horrendous medical …
Returning to my series on terrific free theater podcasts, I recommend Playing on Air. Playing on Air is a radio show and free podcast dedicated to short plays by America’s best contemporary playwrights, a new way to experience theater on demand, absolutely free. They are dedicated to increasing the accessibility of high-caliber theater, promoting the work of the stage’s greatest …
The Orange Tree Theatre in the UK is offering a free streaming event of their production of Amsterdam by Maya Arad Yasur. The play will be streamed free on January 27, 7:30 pm. Here’s the link to watch. Amsterdam description: “An Israeli violinist. Living in her trendy canal-side Amsterdam apartment. Nine months pregnant. One day a mysterious unpaid gas bill …
I plan to post a series of homages to terrific theater- and playwriting-oriented podcasts. First up is The Parsnip Ship! Every month a new play, delivered right to your earbuds. The Parsnip Ship, hosted by Iyvon Edebiri, is an intimate series of plays performed before live audiences and made accessible as a monthly podcast. The series fosters community by exploring …
“I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theatre is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.” – Laurence Olivier (photo of Lord Olivier and his Siamese cat. At one point, Vivien Leigh and Olivier had 16 cats.)
From time to time on the blog, I feature advice and commentary from playwrights I admire. Charlene James is a British playwright and screenwriter. She won substantial acclaim for her play Cuttin’ It, which addresses the issue of female genital mutilation in Britain, and for which she won numerous awards. Her excellent advice I found on the Bruntwood Prize site. …
I’m a big advocate of the Pomodoro (tomato, in Italian) Method for writing. It’s called “Pomodoro” because its inventor used a tomato timer to put it to use. Fun fact: I also use a tomato timer. It helps you keep energy levels high and “forcing” you to take regular breaks. Breaks are super important! This revolutionary time management system is …
It’s almost the New Year, and almost a new decade, so of course I’m thinking about how to be successful and improve my life (have I mentioned I’m a USian?). Leo Babauta has devised a three-step process for this. It’s very simple, and it improves with practice. Here’s Babauta’s simple (not always easy) method: Create a space. Put aside all …
Become that supportive person you want in your life. I plan to have a fantastic 2020. Here’s how: Support and champion myself and others. If you’ve been allowing doubters to hold you back, it’s time to start letting supportive people into your life. People who cheer you on and make you believe you can do everything you want to do, …
For many years, the holidays were the worst time of the year for me. You see, on Christmas Day in 1990, I learned my little brother had been diagnosed with AIDS. He died in June 1991. This terrible memory hung over every Christmas and New Year’s for a long time. I had to learn how to adapt my mind frame. …