Clay & Water 2024
Photo by Renae DeVine
I’ve just returned from the Clay & Water Playwright’s Retreat in Northeast Florida, where I presented a developmental reading of my play The Practice Room. We spent the lead-up to the retreat rehearsing remotely and meeting with dramaturgs provided by Clamour! Theatre Company. Then, we spent a week in the weird and wonderful town of Penney Farms, Florida. We gave school talks at local middle and high schools, spoke to the fantastically quirky residents, drank a LOT of coffee, and ate a TON of ice cream!
Each night, we attended a different cohort member’s reading and talkback session—but the best part was meeting the other playwrights, discussing our plays and experiences, and thinking critically about our work! It was such a phenomenal break from the daily grind!
Talkback Photo by Renae DeVine
The Practice Room was directed by Elaine Smith, with dramaturgy by Kae Milne Twitchell. It featured:
Kaylee Byers as Julissa
Samantha Pascoe as Giselle
and Harolyn Sharpe read stage directions
My actors were fantastic (including a standout performance by Harolyn Sharpe, who is the DEFINITION of ‘no small roles!’), the piece was very well received, and I was amazed by how much the audience had to say during the talkback—especially since this is ostensibly a play for and about young people. The audience members ranged in age from 17 to mid-90s! It was so important to me to laugh with an audience and feel this play in my body. I feel it’s ready for a workshop, and I’ve begun putting feelers out to see if there are any schools that might be interested (and if you happen to be involved in a high school or collegiate theatre program - call me!).
Photo by Clay Today
While I was in Florida, I managed to finish a ten-minute play (I had hoped to do more writing, but we didn’t have a ton of downtime).
In general, I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to decide what I want to write about next. Last year was SO prolific that I don’t mind taking my time researching, having conversations (some with subject matter experts in the tech industry), and really digging into the things that interest me. I’m actually getting excited about what will eventually emerge as a result of all my ruminating… but I don’t have anything cohesive enough to bring with me into End of Play this year.
Instead, I’m looking forward to April for a different reason! I will be traveling to California in about three weeks for the second workshop of Blowhole with New Art City Theatre!
Me and my actors! (photo from my phone)
