New Targets

Planning for the UpStart Theatre Company has shown to be a little more tricky than I would have cared for it to be.  I think that the next 24 hour 10 minute play festival, The Winter's Tales, is going to be a hit, but that's further down the road.

I've been writing a lot, but not a lot of plays.  I started writing a political blog on www.nuzcom.com, so I won't talk much about that here.  While I have to learn to be an advocate for the things that I do, I want this blog to remain true to art and theater.

I like fountain pens.

When I was in Atlanta, I was selected as a finalist for the Youth Playwright Festival at the Horizon Theatre Company.  There, I was "mentored" for a little bit by a remarkable woman named Lauren Gunderson.  She's an insanely talented and prolific writer.  The reason why I put mentored in quotation marks is because there wasn't a whole lot of time spent teaching me, though I do remember everything she said and her words of encouragement still mean a lot to this day.


I try not to use the teacher/student roles lightly.  To mentor is to take a deep personal interest in the student's development not just as a learner but as a person as well.  There's not a better word for what she did, but we haven't kept in touch since that festival five years ago.

The reason why I mention it at all is because if you go to her website, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the work that she's done and that I'm not working in the way that I wish that I was, in terms of playwriting.

I was thinking about the success of the Manhattan Theatre Source and that I didn't to forget or lose that opportunity that my work had.  And I was thinking why that did well in the way that it did.

And then I remembered:  I wrote something from the heart, I wrote what I wanted to write but, perhaps most importantly, someone else set the deadline.


So, I went and found another website that has links to playwriting contests and found three that are happening soon. And I mean in the next month soon.

There's a 9/11 themed 10 minute playwriting contest in LA by the American Science Theater.  There's a 15 minute play contest by Valley Rep in CT.

But the one that I found that I'm the most excited about is the Yale Drama Series.  $10,000 prize, a reading at Yale and publication at the Yale University Press.

Deadline:  August 15th, 2011.

Better get on it!

The Upstart Theatre Company!

So, when I stood up in front of the audience the night of A Midsummer Night's Play Festival, I was visibly nervous speaking in front of a group of people for the first time since I don't know when.  Reason mainly being that I hadn't slept that much in 48 hours, but I was also proposing a new venture in Savannah, GA:  The Upstart Theatre Company.

Now, there are a lot of theatre companies in Savannah.  Bay Street Theatre, Savannah Children's, City Lights, the Collective Face, the Savannah Theatre. But I wanted to start something that would start new works in Savannah and the Lowcountry.  There's going to be an outreach to local authors (some connections have already been made because of MNPF) to create new works here in town.  

It's going to start off pretty small.  We might do two full-length productions in the coming year, but there was MNPF and this coming February, we're going to do another 24 hr 10 min play festival called The Winter's Tales at Muse Arts Warehouse.  There are a few other events planned that are still being fleshed out.  It kind of depends on the 

If you are interested in the projects, want to know more about it, please email me at theatreupstart@gmail.com.  I'll be more than happy to discuss at length!

On another personal note, The Errant Knaves opens this week at TestoGenius Fetival in New York.  Even though I haven't seen any of it, I'm absolutely terrified.  Of it being a failure and of it being a success.  Everything is going to be fine though.  I'm proud of my work and I'll stand by it!

Biography on a Ray of Hope

So, the last thing that I had to do for Testogenuis festival was to send a bio to them.  With everything that I've had to do in the last week, it fell to the wayside.  I'm writing the bio and for the first time I'm streamlining my career down to just writing.  And two things occur to me:  first, this is the first time that I've written a bio that focused on me as a playwright.  Second, the bio could be depressing as hell.  I mean, here I am calling myself a playwright when this is the first time that I've gotten a professional treatment.  I thought about the stuff that I had mostly written, sitting incomplete in files on my computer.  I thought about the rejections that I've gotten in the past.  The last time that I've had a play produced was by my own college and I had picked them to be produced.

The last professional treatment was at the Youth Playwrighting Festival in 2006 at the Horizon Theatre in Atlanta.

But then I thought that this was an opportunity.  This isn't the summation of my career, it's the notation of the beginning.  Writing "The Errant Knaves" took some work, but it did get done.  It's possible, I'm capable of it.  They're not mostly unfinished plays, they're opportunities, they're chances, they're beginnings.

It's been a crammed last couple of weeks, between moving, two jobs, graduation and everything.  A Midsummer Night's Play Festival is happening this weekend (!!!) and I couldn't be more excited for it!  Things are coming together and life is good!

Going to go write something now!

And, as usual, a picture that I find when I Google "budapest theater".

MNPF, The Errant Knaves, the Odd Lot and An Evening With Cthulhu

Hello there, blogger world!  It's been a while since my last post (God, I hate reading that in other blogs but I can never say that it's not true.) but I have been quite busy as of late (Cliche!).  Started to get in the groove of things with the day job, working harder in the evening for the tours AND re-discovered an addiction to the game Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.  But that doesn't mean that things are working and coming to fruition!  It's one thing to have all the ideas but they should be implemented at some point.  (Looking at the right side of my brain re: Journey musical.)

Right side of my brain:  ... what?

First, the fundraising for A Midsummer Night's Play Festival was a total success!  Kickstarter is an excellent website and I'll definitely use it the future.  It was my first time using it and a lot of friends and even some people that I didn't know chipped into the final effort.  I might have to turn to them to get the funds raised for the Journey musical but I see that as more of an Internet wide campaign.

I'm really happy at the level of support for the festival (link will send you to the event page on Facebook; please invite yourself and others)!  Everyone seems to want to participate or chip in or something to that effect and it's great having a community level of validation. Now the festival is less than two weeks away.  Posters were handled today as well as postcards.  Get in touch with me if you're going to have time to throw the posters up around town!

The Errant Knaves in NYC is going well.  Shaun, the director, is a really outstanding gentleman who's keeping me very well informed about the progress of the play.  I also sent him a snippet of another play I'm working on called Here Are The Rules.  I believe that I've mentioned here before.  Haven't heard back from him in the last week, but no news is good news.

He's very open with me about what he thinks of the play (which is generally supportive with moments of  confusion and a lack of clarity on my part) and he has a dynamic approach with me.  Because I haven't really established a coherent style as of yet, I have to explain a lot of the choices in the play.  That actually works to both of our benefit. It makes me more critical and careful of my choices and Shaun gets a chance to find out what the 'eff I'm talking about.

Last week, I had a run at the Odd Lot.  Pirates of the CarODDbean.  Love working with these actors.  They are engaged, not trying to be funny by themselves and they're happy doing what they are doing.  They have become a true ensemble and that's always a wonderful thing to see.  Improv terrifies me.  All performance does, in a way, but there's something about improvisation that scares me terrifically.  I wish I didn't have the work schedule that I do, that way I could play with them on a regular basis.  If you haven't seen them at Muse Arts Warehouse, DO IT!  They're open most Monday nights, check the website for show information.

Last but not least, I'm working with Sheila Lynne, Chris Soucy and others on an evening reading the work of HP Lovecraft.  In my head, I'm calling it An Evening With Cthulhu.  That's pending approval from Sheila, but if it goes through, I'm totally copyrighting that shit.  I'll post more about it as the details come in.  But end of July!  At Muse Arts Warehouse (naturally!)  Mark your calenders... Do it...

And, at the end of this post, we have the poster as designed by the illustrious Morgann Daniels.  Faustina Smith donated $200 to get her hands on this puppy!  Thanks to Morgann and Faustina!

Designed by Morgann Daniels

TestoGenius Festival: The Final Update! (?)

Here's manhattan theatre source's website!

I got an email this morning saying that my play, The Errant Knaves, has been selected for production at the TestoGenius Festival in New York!  I can't believe that I'm going to have something that I wrote produced on the New York Stage!

Quick geek-out:  EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

There, glad that got out of my system.

Here's a link to the script that they accepted: The Errant Knaves at Scripped.com

They also asked if I would be able to help out in any other capacity, re: marketing, fundraising and the like.  I don't think that I will be able to to do that much from Savannah, but I do know a few people in NYC that might be able to help.  I will let you know more for that.

Now, I'm looking forward to pictures/videos or really any proof that this has happened.

It's a good thing ot have your work validated.  I remember about six years ago, I was accepted in the Eugene O'Neill program in New England.  I turned it down for two reasons:  one, I didn't want to take out a loan to pay for it.  Two, I had a chance to work at Unto These Hills and wanted to make money instead.

(I actually ended up not making any money at UTH (my own fault), but the principle remains.)

In other news: the re-write of Wake is coming along very well already.  There's a lot more thought put into it going into the actual script-writing, so I'm looking forward to how this one turns out.

Just happy for the email.  It was a wonderful wake up call.

All These Things I've Yet To Do

No word yet from the TestoGenius Festival.  It's understandable; they've had a long period of time for submissions and probably had a lot of them.  Still anxious to hear something, but I can be patient.

I went ahead and made a list of play festivals that I'm going to submit to this year.  I think this is the year that I'm going to submit to Humana/Actor's Theatre of Louisville and for the Essential Theatre in Atlanta (run by Mr. Peter Hardy).  What's cool about them is that they may not produce your script, but they like to see "who's on the radar".  Seems like a good thing, in any case.  All said and done it's quite satisfying submitting work and knowing that it's going to be read.  At least, I say that now.


I've also been thinking about the plays that I've been working on for the last couple of years.  Including the Odyssey musical, there have been at least three other plays that I feel the need to work on.  One was done, one was almost done, one was never set to paper.

The next submission is going to be at the Well Theatre (note:  not the Wells Theatre) in  NYC.  They are also looking for short plays, full-length and also sketches of plays.  If I'm looking at the right theatre, they're about to do a production of Henry V.  The executive director said that the play was is ideal for our company because, at it's core, it's a play about a young person taking on a responsibility that he is not quite prepared to handle.

Article on that production...

Every time I find a website like Broadway World or even the Arts Section of the New York Times or the Theatre Loop for Chicago Tribune, I get motivated.  I mean, writing is something that people are capable or doing.  And I have such a strong desire to do it, I'm happy when I do it, it seems like something that I should do more often.  It's why I like the blog because now that I share that out loud (in a sense), I feel that it becomes true and then it becomes gospel.





So, in the six weeks, I am going to be moving twice.  Probably won't have that much time to update (which is fine) but hopefully afterwards, I'll be able to finish another piece.  Deadline for Well Theatre is April 15th.  I think something could be sent by then.

Also:  I've seen that I've been getting views from Hungary on a pretty consistent basis.  I like this, I'm tickled by this.  So, I've been googling "hungary theatre" and putting up what I find.  Today, I found this:

The Waiting Is the Hardest Part and the Next Step

The Hungarian National Theatre:  A Beautiful Building!

I sprung for the delivery confirmation for the play I sent to TestoGenius and it got there this morning at about 10:00am.  Announcement comes on Friday and I'm wondering whether or not its actually going to be on Friday.  At least for mine, I know that they got it in plenty of time to read and make the final decision.

I became worried that maybe what I wrote was too weird or experimental.  I remember reading that somewhere in the description, but before I submitted it, the word didn't appear to me.  I'm probably in a frame of mind where I'm trying to prep myself for failure.  But, either way, I'm really excited that I know that someone in New York City is reading the play and would think about producing it, even if it is minimal.

Steeeeeeeve Perry!

Started to look around for the next project.  I keep on finding myself wanting to go back and rework things that I already have.  The other night at rehearsal, Chris was talking about the Journey musical, so I suppose that should really be the next key focus.  Also on the back-burner is to go back over a play I wrote in college called "Wake".

Hamlet!  Why so blue, panda bear?!

Was offered a job at a medical supplier in town.  Not enough to quit the tours, but it'll create a more stable element in my income.  That means peace of mind and that means higher output of work (hopefully).

Also I want to start thinking about producing Hamlet again, whether at the Savannah Children's Theatre or not.  Muse would be an excellent space for it.  If I ever get a chance to go into more Theatre of the Poor, I would go to town on Hamlet.  But look at him!  He probably couldn't stand to have anyone go to town on him! 

A little late into the new year, but everything seems to be finding a solid base and that means that it will be easier to take the next step.

But, seriously, I should get crackin' on that Journey musical.  If you have any info about getting the rights to perform the music in this format, leave a comment and let me know!

The Errant Knaves

The Festival emailed me back.  They said that the deadline was extended so I still had time to submit, which will be done later on today.  I think a day off is really a day where you still have a bunch to do but you don't get paid to do those things.  Generosity!

I wanted to speak a little bit more on the "workshop" that I had with Peter and Katie.  First, I wish that I had given myself more time to read through the piece.  I wanted to see how instinctively the words came to the actors from the page.  The answer was not really.  And it's not their fault, its my own because what I wrote was dense and awkward.  If  I had given  myself more time, we could have gone through the play again and I could have given little notes here and there.  That way I could get an idea as to how far a leap has to be made.  Again, everything was insanely helpful.

Even though I said that I didn't want the feedback, it would have been a good thing to have.  Peter mentioned that it was a very Greek piece and that gave it a lot of clarity.  Didn't see that coming.  The feedback thing wasn't a question of ego but I was more scared that there was going to be input that I would really take to and then the play would go off in a million different directions.

I already think that it's a little more "complicated" than what I had imagined.  That's not really a good thing.  I find that it's hard to keep focus on themes when I'm writing (hence the workshop).  But Katie and Peter were great helps.

Art = Windmills.

I went back and read through it and found myself making a lot more notes than what I figured I would.  I really should allow more time on these projects because when I do, it comes out better in the end.

The play ended up being a bit longer than I thought that it would.  I was shooting for fifteen pages and ended up at nineteen (the max was twenty).  With the Pinter Pauses that I put in there, this might run a good bit of time.

Finally settled on the title:  The Errant Knaves.  Something about it seemed to fit, but naturally I reserve the right to change the damn thing.  It's appropriate enough but something about it suggests that the father and son go out on quixotic adventures when they don't.  I guess it's something that I would have written back in my high school days.  But it's a lot stronger than what I would have produced back in the day.  At the very least, I feel like I've grown as an artist.

TestoGenius Festival! (Part Three)

I might have read the website incorrectly.  On one section of the site, they say that the submission has to be postmarked by March 15th, another said that the deadline was February 20th.  Emailed the theatre company to be clear as to what the real date is.  I have a feeling it's the former since that's the most visible.

In any case, I'm proud of what I wrote.  It's been a while since I wrote something with this kind of focus.  Again, I like deadlines and themes.  I work well in an academic climate because of this.  I never felt that stuffy about school.  Maybe that's part of the reason why I've floundered in writing since 2007.

The play is about a son talking with his dad about his divorce.  I wanted to make something where the son and the father were "close" to each other.  They acted like one another, dressed like each other but over the course of the action, the son struggles to become something different, even though it gets ugly for him.  The son loses it along the way and the father tries to regain control of the situation. 

Thankfully, nothing that weird shows up when you type "Greek Father and Son"

Normally, I put everything up on www.offbookmarket.com and www.scripped.com the second that everything meets my approval, but I'm going to hold off until March 18th.  Assuming that they are still taking submissions at this point, that's the date that they make the announcement of who's in the festival.  

I'll be on tenterhooks until the time arrives.  Excited at just the idea that someone in New York is going to be reading and judging the play!  It's not something that I've done before.  First time for everything.

If it doesn't work out for TestoGenius, there's always a chance of getting a night of short plays together and producing it here in town.  Wouldn't be that expensive and would be an insane amount of fun.

Artistic Fiber in the Water

"Workshop" with the actors yesterday went well.  Wasn't looking for feedback, just wanted to hear how everything sounded in new mouths and brains.  It sounded awkward as hell.  Not because of the actors but because of how I wrote it.  BUT some crucial points were brought up in my own head.  Thanks to Peter and Katie for reading through it.  Especially, Katie given that she had no heads up about the reading.  And Peter made a good comment off-hand.

To TestoGenius Festival Website! (To the TUBES!)

Had the first read-through for The Boys Next Door last night.  It's a weird way of putting it, but it's great working in a "regular" play.  That's to say something with a little structure, no music, just a plain and simple story.  I haven't played a character like Jack in a long time (if ever) and I'm looking forward to it.  Lots of monologues too and that's always a good thing.

It's a wonderful feeling in general.  It's like with the coming of spring, there's been a Spring Awakening for me and for everyone around.  It's like artistic fiber has been put in the water... don't quote me on that metaphor.  I feel good about writing and acting and, if things go my way, directing as well.  I miss directing already, it's like quitting smoking; I can feel the withdrawals in my arms.

Also, have a interview on Monday for a 'real' job.  Hopefully that works out.  That way, my evenings are free for these kinds of artistic endeavors.  You never know how things will work out, but at least, if I get the job, I would have the peace of mind to create without worrying about creditors and the like.

Wish I could go see Frost/Nixon at Muse Arts Warehouse this weekend.  Won't have the time do so, but it's always important to support local awesome.  Really excited for Chris Blair too.  He's worked hard for a very long time and I'm sure he'll tear the thing apart.  I like that there's something consistent in Savannah.  At least in a sense.  There's more than one group with more than one project coming down the pipeline.  What's more, I get the feeling that things are only going up, in quantity and quality.  Here's hoping!

TestoGenius Festival! (Part Two), Puppets and The Boys Next Door!

This was the most reasonable picture I found on Google Images when searching "Father and Son".

So the "Father/Son" play is finished!  Still haven't figured out a title yet, but I'm happy with my process this time around, more so than other things that I've written.

Also, I want to try something a little different this time before submitting and that's to have actors read the script before making another draft of the play.  A little bit of workshopping if you will.  I know what it sounds like in my head but thats not whats going to be on the stage.  Pretty excited at the prospect!  Hopefully, I can get something done by the end of the week.  Deadline for postmark is Mar. 15th.



I've been working with Angela Beasley on a show about Juliette Gordon Low.  Very fun show and it's performed for senior citizens around Savannah.  Nice having a consistent show to do with her again.  I like working for her because it's a reminder that a performance should be fun, regardless of what you're doing.  You should have a good time.  Or at least try to.



Last, but not least, last night I auditioned and was asked to play Jack in a production of The Boys Next Door at Bay Street Theatre!  Get to work with that crowd again and I get to act opposite Chris Soucy, a feat that Savannah theatre hasn't seen in TEN YEARS!

I'm at the age now where I get to say that about people.  I think it's a good thing.  It means that I haven't given up.  It means that I've worked hard at something, in a sense.  And given other things that have happened in my life, that means quite a bit.

TestoGenius Festival! (Part One)

Right now, I have a great start on a play for the playwrighting festival.

TestoGenius Festival!

I love festivals because they give parameters and a deadline.  In other words, they give a fire that I flee from.  There's no kind of motivation like death... or severe tissue scarring... it's not a perfect metaphor.

I'll post the entire script on www.scripped.com when it is completed.  The theme is fatherhood;  I had a couple of false starts.  I was trying to deal with the theme directly and that wasn't what I wanted to say.  I think I like subtlety in art.  I like having to read between the lines, even when I don't get it.  Naturally, I want to use my experiences as a father in the show, but I kept coming back to the way that my father treated me while I was growing up.  And there will be something about the Flying Dutchman and some Greek myth thrown in if need be.

I feel good about this one.  Might be a good piece of writing.

Tried putting it on the typewriter.  Had a good steam going but the ink ribbon gave out.  So, computer it must be!  But at least I tried with the typewriter.

Aiming to have the play done by the end of the week!

Not me, not my father, just a fitting image.