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 is set in 1890’s London, the title seems appropriate to the present year. The puzzle of escaping from this U.S. asylum has been on everyone’s minds.
“The Victorian Ladies Detective Collective” was presented by House of International Theatre in July, in a park in Copenhagen, which I found thrilling. Live theater, somewhere!
I adapted two of my stage plays to audio format, and these were released to the public. I learned a lot about audio plays, and I liked doing it so much, I’m taking a four-week class in audio playwriting. “Bystanders,” with Maria Marquis and Kimberly Ridgeway, can be heard here at Central Works. “The Law of Attraction,” with Chelsea Bearce, Cary Ann Rosko, Matthew Weimer, and Louel Senores, will be available till January 3, here at The New Conservatory Theater Center. The Bay Area Reporter called it ” a zingy comedy.”
In the meantime, I finished adapting “Without Mercy” to a Zoom meeting format for Central Works. It may find a production there in 2021.
I taught a number of workshops in writing a play’s logline, and in sharing playwriting tools, techniques, and practices. As the Northern California Rep for The Dramatists Guild, I hosted a number of readings, both live and on Zoom. I also established a social justice Empower Hour where dramatists could do work on advancing various causes on Zoom, with other dramatists.
It’s been a tough year for theater; no doubt. I feel grateful I’ve been productive and have kept somewhat sane (I hope) and healthy during this horrible year. Hope you are hanging in there.