Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Blog”
U.S. theatre is struggling right now, much more so than in other countries where government support for the arts is strong. Jeremy O. Harris, writer of Slave Play, has written a heartfelt, convincing plea for WPA-style relief for the theater industry. He starts with an anecdote about telling an NYC cabbie that he’s a playwright by trade. “When I told …
An excerpt from Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander, which was read at Barack Obama’s inauguration. Praise Song for the Day (excerpt) Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself, others by first do no harm or take no more than you need. What if the mightiest word is love? Love beyond marital, filial, national,love that casts a …
When people say, “we have made it through worse before” — Clint Smith all I hear is the wind slapping against the gravestonesof those who did not make it, those who did notsurvive to see the confetti fall from the sky, those who did not live to watch the parade roll down the street.I have grown accustomed to a lifetime …
… I love poet Lucille Clifton. Here’s her gorgeous short poem, “blessing the boats.” may the tidethat is entering even nowthe lip of our understandingcarry you outbeyond the face of fearmay you kissthe wind then turn from itcertain that it willlove your back may youopen your eyes to waterwater waving foreverand may you in your innocencesail through this …
The concept of an inner light or fire is found in every culture. It’s so important to keep fueling it, no matter what the circumstances, especially for writers. “Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.” ~Katherine Dunham “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” ~ Maya Angelou
In a recent workshop, Larissa Fasthorse said she began writing plays as a way to change the world. Of course that is quixotic, but in a way, I agree. “I definitely write from a need to try, in my own two hours, to right a wrong. My little play is inconsequential in terms of whether or not we have health …
I don’t have, nor will I make, any resolutions for 2021. I actually hate resolutions, which seem pointless, especially when I know I can start doing something new at any time. And after 2020, the fact that circumstances are wildly out of my control is more obvious than ever. I do, however, keep Susan Sontag’s “resolution,” to hold in my …
A gorgeous poem by Naomi Shihab Nye: Letters swallow themselves in seconds. Notes friends tied to the doorknob, transparent scarlet paper,sizzle like moth wings,marry the air. So much of any year is flammable, lists of vegetables, partial poems. Orange swirling flame of days, so little is a stone. Where there was something and suddenly isn’t, an absence shouts, celebrates, leaves a space. I begin again with the …
I can’t really add anything to what has already been said about 2020. So I’ll write one of those “how I spent my year” posts and focus on my own stuff. I had a very good year as far as playwriting is concerned. I finished the sequel to “The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective,” called “Escape from the Asylum.” Although it …
I’m creating this post to assemble a smattering of places to obtain and read free or low-cost stage plays for pleasure. One is a limited-time offer, so heads up! Central Works Theater: Their Script Club offers free world premiere playscripts and a podcast with the playwright (full disclosure – it’s my podcast). Playscripts: Their free reads rotate regularly. This company …