A NOTE ON THIS MOMENT & OUR DECISION TO POSTPONE EVENTS IN OUR SEASON
Dear communities:
We first want to send all of our energy and light towards the incredible group of folx who are seeking justice for the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and the thousands of other Black, Indigenous and other people of color killed by the systems of violence, inequity, and brutality that continue in our country.
The work of the Playwrights’ Center is guided by meeting the needs of the artist community we serve as we make our decisions regarding programming, resources, and community engagement.
In late March, as a response to the COVID crisis, we launched a Spring Season of work in order to center our playwrights’ extraordinary voices during this pandemic, and to compensate theater artists facing a devastating time of unemployment and uncertainty. But as Playwrights’ Center fundamentally values the health and well-being of all, it’s critical that we take care of the members of our artist community and staff, so they can respond and focus on their immediate needs during this moment.
In conversation with the staff and artist leadership, we have decided to postpone our remaining spring programming until later this summer, while ensuring all artists remain paid for this work.
At the same time, we feel it is critical to continue sharing artist responses right now, and recognize that what we share and whose voices we uplift matters deeply.
Last month, we commissioned Minneapolis-based theater artist and activist Shá Cage to write a featured article for us. Shá has been part of the Playwrights’ Center family for many, many years, and we’re always grateful when she lends her voice to the work of the Center. The result of the commission was RUN!!!, a powerful meditation on the past few months, written following the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
After speaking with Shá over the past few days, in response to the murder of George Floyd, we have jointly decided to move ahead with publishing her article RUN!!! as written, along with commissioning a second piece that will be published next week, building upon the powerful narrative she has created here.
We look forward to partnering with Shá not only on these writings but on a bigger project with her company TruRoots that seeks to create a space for the building of an anthology of Twin Cities Black artist voices. Stay tuned for more details on that project soon!
In solidarity,
Playwrights’ Center
Read the article here.
In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Playwrights’ Center is taking action to connect people with their communities and create income streams for theater artists who are out of work. We're pleased to announce an entirely new, online Spring 2020 Season.
This spring, Playwrights' Center will feature regular weekly programming of new play readings; seminars, classes, and workshops taught by playwrights; two weekly feature articles written by playwrights; open conversations and panels with playwrights and theater practitioners; Member Open Play events, where writers read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback; New Plays On Campus sessions for educators and students interested in playwriting; Writing Room Lunch Breaks where playwrights can come together to work; and open office hours with Playwrights’ Center Artistic and Membership staff, giving people a chance to connect, ask questions, and discuss best practices.
The schedule and links to events are below. Please check back often as this page will be updated as more information is confirmed. The times listed below reflect Central Daylight Saving Time.
WEEK OF June 1–June 7, 2020
Times listed are CDT
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Mon, June 1 |
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9:00 AM |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
POSTPONED Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback
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Tue, June 2 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
POSTPONED Playwrights in Conversation: WRITING ACROSS MEDIUMS with Sarah Gubbins, Jen Silverman, & Mfoniso Udofia |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
POSTPONED Seminar with Michael Evan Haney: New Work Development at Regional Theatres |
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Wed, June 3 |
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Thur, June 4 |
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Fri, June 5 |
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2:00 PM |
POSTPONED Online Reading: Room Enough (For Us All) by Daaimah Mubashshir directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz featuring Regina Marie Williams, Toni Ann DeNoble, and more Room Enough is centered on a contemporary African-American Muslim family coming to terms with how to treat queerness up against long-standing ideals and faith. Fatimah, a recently widowed matriarch, is determined to have it all. She wants the opportunity to set right a 10-year mistake by inviting, Jamillah, her queer daughter, to return home after a long forced absence. Can she have it all when, Abdullah, her son, is driven to fight against this decision even though he loves his mother deeply? |
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3:00 PM |
POSTPONED Friday Feature Article by playwright Jonathan Norton: Extending The Welcome |
POSTPONED
One Flea Spare
by Naomi Wallace
June 12, 2020 at 2:00 PM CDT
A wealthy couple is preparing to flee their home when a mysterious sailor and a young girl appear sneaking into their boarded-up house. Now, quarantined together for 28 days, the only thing these strangers fear more than the Plague is each other.
POSTPONED
MUSICAL MUSINGS AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: A Conversation with Jonatha Brooke
June 16, 2020 at 2:00 PM CDT
Join us for an intimate conversation between Producing Artistic Director Jeremy B. Cohen and the award-winning singer, songwriter, and composer Jonatha Brooke as they discuss her 30 years in the music industry, her move to musical theater, and how to keep resilient during these challenging times for artist creators. Jonatha will also treat participants to a few old favorites and share some new songs!
The Spring 2020 Season has been postponed but we will present programming late this summer. The schedule will be updated here.
PAST EVENTS
WEEK OF MARCH 30–APRIL 5, 2020
Times listed are in CDT
Mon, March 30
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9:00 AM |
Monday Morning Feature Article by playwright Jenny Connell Davis |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback |
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Tue, March 31 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
New Plays On Campus session: How Can We Support You? Practices & Tools for Educators and Students |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Seminar with Rachel Jendrzejewski: How To Write When You Don’t Feel Like It |
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Wed, April 1 |
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12:00 PM–2:00 PM |
Writing Room Lunch Break with Sarah Myers An open forum for writers to come together virtually, write and connect with each other. |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Membership Open Office with Hannah Joyce Scheduled time for current and new member playwrights to connect with staff and ask questions about the resources of the Playwrights’ Center |
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Thur, April 2 |
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10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
Artistic Department Open Office with Jeremy B. Cohen A chance to connect with the Producing Artistic Director for questions, conversation, and discussion on how we move ahead |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Playwrights in Conversation: Daniel Alexander Jones |
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Fri, April 3 |
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2:00 PM |
Online Reading: THE VIOLET SISTERS by Gina Femia, directed by Hayley Finn. |
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3:00 PM |
Friday Feature Article by playwright Gabrielle Civil |
WEEK OF APRIL 6–12, 2020
Times listed are in CDT
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Mon, April 6 |
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9:00 AM |
Monday Morning Feature Article by playwright C. Denby Swanson |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback
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Tues, April 7 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Playwrights in Conversation: Josh Wilder |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
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Wed, April 8 |
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12:00 PM–2:00 PM |
Writing Room Lunch Break with Alayna Barnes An open forum for writers to come together virtually, write and connect with each other. |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Membership Open Office with Hannah Joyce Scheduled time for current and new member playwrights to connect with staff and ask questions about the resources of the Playwrights’ Center |
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Thur, April 9 |
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10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
Artistic Department Open Office with Hayley Finn A chance to connect with the Playwrights’ Center artistic staff for questions, conversation, and discussion on how we move ahead |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
New Plays On Campus session: Information Session on Fall/Spring University Courses |
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Fri, April 10 |
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2:00 PM |
Online Reading: FLEX by Candrice Jones, directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, presented in partnership with Actors Theatre of Louisville (Humana Festival). We’re proud to present a reading of the canceled production of FLEX with the original cast and director. |
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3:00 PM |
Friday Feature Article by playwright Catherine Filloux |
WEEK OF APRIL 13–19, 2020
Times listed are in CDT
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Mon, April 13 |
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9:00 AM |
Monday Morning Feature Article by playwright Ricardo Vázquez |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback
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Tue, April 14 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Playwrights in Conversation: Josh Wilder |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
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Wed, April 15 |
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12:00 PM–2:00 PM |
Writing Room Lunch Break with Cristina Luzárraga An open forum for writers to come together virtually, write and connect with each other. |
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Thur, April 16 |
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10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
Artistic Department Open Office with Jeremy B. Cohen A chance to connect with the Producing Artistic Director for questions, conversation, and discussion on how we move ahead |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
New Plays On Campus session: Playwriting After College |
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Fri, April 17 |
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2:00 PM |
Online Reading: BEGIN, BEGIN, BEGIN AGAIN by Erin Courtney; directed by Hayley Finn |
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3:00 PM |
Friday Feature Article by playwright Tim Lord |
WEEK OF APRIL 20–26, 2020
Times listed are CDT
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Mon, April 20 |
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9:00 AM |
Monday Morning Feature Article by playwright Lauren Wimmer |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback
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Tue, April 21 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Playwrights in Conversation: Marvin Gonzalez De Leon—Will this Crisis Create Even More Inequity in the American Theatre? |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
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Wed, April 22 |
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12:00 PM–2:00 PM |
Writing Room Lunch Break with Cristina Luzárraga and Courtney Meaker An open forum for writers to come together virtually, write and connect with each other. |
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Thur, April 23 |
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10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
Artistic Department Open Office A chance to connect with the Playwrights’ Center artistic staff for questions, conversation, and discussion on how we move ahead |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
New Plays On Campus session: Want to Take Courses at the Playwrights’ Center for College Credit? Philip Dawkins, who will teach the first PWC course in the fall, will join us to discuss his approach. |
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Fri, April 24 |
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2:00 PM |
Online Reading: LEGACY LAND by Stacey Rose; directed by Logan Vaughn; presented in partnership with Kansas City Repertory Theatre Legacy Land is an unflinching dark comedic dive into the bizarre legacy that sexual abuse imprints upon the lives of sisters Barbara and Denise. Denise’s unexpected Thanksgiving homecoming upends Barbara and her young lover Marcus’ plans for a cozy weekend. When Denise’s domineering boyfriend Freddie reveals the true reason for the visit, a battle ensues unearthing years of resentment and repressed memories, forcing the sisters to choose whether they will succumb to or overcome their family legacy. |
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3:00 PM |
Friday Feature Article by playwright Cristina Castro: Universal Design and Playwriting |
WEEK OF APRIL 27–May 3, 2020
Times listed are CDT
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Mon, April 27 |
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9:00 AM |
Monday Morning Feature Article by playwright Shannon Kearns |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback
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Tue, April 28 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Playwrights in Conversation: Jessica Huang—The Art of the Note |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
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Wed, April 29 |
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12:00 PM–2:00 PM |
Writing Room Lunch Break with Sarah Myers An open forum for writers to come together virtually, write and connect with each other. |
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Thur, April 30 |
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10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
Artistic Department Open Office with Jeremy B. Cohen A chance to connect with the Playwrights’ Center artistic staff for questions, conversation, and discussion on how we move ahead |
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Fri, May 1 |
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2:00 PM |
Online Reading: Hallow by Lee Blessing It's Halloween in the southern mountains, and a recent transplant, Cath, is surprised by more than trick-or-treaters in her isolated home. Her estranged husband Kev arrives unannounced with their grandaughter Hallow, whom Cath hasn't seen since Hallow was an infant. The devout Kev asserts that Hallow is, in fact, the second coming of Christ—the same assertion that made Cath leave him eighteen years ago. Cath, comfortable in her atheism, grows less so as the evening's events become harder and harder to explain. |
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3:00 PM |
Friday Feature Article by playwright Stefanie Kuo: |
WEEK OF May 4–May 10, 2020
Times listed are CDT
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Mon, May 4 |
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9:00 AM |
Monday Morning Feature Article by playwright C.S. Hanson: Create Your Own Writing Retreat While in Self-Isolation |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback
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Tue, May 5 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
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Wed, May 6 |
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Thur, May 7 |
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10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
Artistic Department Open Office with Jeremy B. Cohen A chance to connect with the Playwrights’ Center artistic staff for questions, conversation, and discussion on how we move ahead |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
New Plays On Campus session: Want to Take Courses at the Playwrights’ Center for College Credit? Join Sarah Myers and playwright Philip Dawkins for a conversation on the Center's new, accredited playwriting courses. Learn about Dawkins' teaching philosophy and pedagogy and get a sneak-peek at upcoming class offerings. |
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Fri, May 8 |
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2:00 PM |
Online Reading: A Play by Barb and Carl written and directed by Carlyle Brown; Presented in partnership with Illusion Theater In March 2017, playwright Carlyle Brown’s wife and dramaturge Barbara Joyce Rose-Brown had a stroke leaving her with right side weakness and unable to speak. A dramaturge had lost her access to language. A playwright had lost his dramaturge. As a way of dealing with their situation, they decided to write a play. This is that play. |
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3:00 PM |
Friday Feature Article by playwright Deborah Yarchun: Staying Focused in the Time of Covid |
WEEK OF May 11–May 17, 2020
Times listed are CDT
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Mon, May 11 |
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9:00 AM |
Monday Morning Feature Article by playwright Emily Zemba: The Theater of Letter Writing |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback
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Tue, May 12 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Playwrights in Conversation: Kate Hamill - Rebuilding the American Theater |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Seminar with Ansa Akyea: In the Room for a New Play Workshop |
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Wed, May 13 |
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12:00 PM–2:00 PM |
Writing Room Lunch Break with Sarah Myers An open forum for writers to come together virtually, write and connect with each other. |
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Thur, May 14 |
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10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
Artistic Department Open Office with Jeremy B. Cohen A chance to connect with the Playwrights’ Center artistic staff for questions, conversation, and discussion on how we move ahead |
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Fri, May 15 |
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2:00 PM |
Online Reading: No Cure by Jake Jeppson Two lonely souls meet. They fall in love. They dance to Leonard Cohen's Ain't No Cure for Love. Turns out, there ain't no cure for terminal cancer, either. In this tender, unflinching play, Jake Jeppson offers a deeply personal portrait of one family's experience with the two big things that can't be cured. |
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3:00 PM |
Friday Feature Article by playwright Jovelyn Richards: How To Honor My Muse During Challenging Times |
WEEK OF May 18–May 24, 2020
Times listed are CDT
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Mon, May 18 |
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9:00 AM |
Monday Morning Feature Article by playwright Ken Urban: Prescriptions for Mid-Career |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Member Open Play sharing session A chance for member playwrights to gather virtually and by phone to read each other's plays aloud and respond with constructive feedback
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Tue, May 19 |
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2:00 PM–3:30 PM |
Playwrights in Conversation: José Rivera with Maíja Garcia Presented in partnership with FilmNorth and The Dramatists Guild Foundation: Traveling Masters |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
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Wed, May 20 |
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Thur, May 21 |
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Fri, May 22 |
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2:00 PM |
Online Reading: I Know I Know I Know by C.A. Johnson directed by Jenna Worsham featuring Chloe Armao, Rajané Katurah Brown, Shá Cage, Naomi Lorrain, Audrey Park, and Claire Siebers.
When Zoe’s wife goes missing, her lifelong best friends join her on the island off the coast of Virginia where they spent childhood summers. A play about women, friendship, wild ponies, and love that lasts forever (which is to say it is also a play about betrayal…betrayal again and again and again). |
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3:00 PM |
Friday Feature Article by playwright Kristin Idaszak: Writing to Save the World |
WEEK OF May 25–May 31, 2020
Times listed are CDT
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Mon, May 25 |
Memorial Day | |
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Tue, May 26 |
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6:00 PM–8:00 PM |
Seminar with Andrew Rosendorf: Everything You Wanted to Know About Submitting |
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Wed, May 27 |
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12:00 PM–2:00 PM |
Writing Room Lunch Break with Sarah Myers An open forum for writers to come together virtually, write, and connect with each other. |
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Thur, May 28 |
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10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
Artistic Department Open Office with Jeremy B. Cohen A chance to connect with the Playwrights’ Center artistic staff for questions, conversation, and discussion on how we move ahead |
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6:00 PM CDT |
POSTPONED Online Reading: The Loyals by Allison Gregory presented as part of the National New Play Network Virtual Annual Conference. A comedy about treason, The Loyals is a gripping look at patriotism during the American Revolution. These are complicated times, those were complicated times; if history is the lens through which we view the present, should we be worried yet? |
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Fri, May 29 |
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2:00 PM |
POSTPONED Online Reading: Getting There by Dipika Guha presented in partnership with New Conservatory Theatre Centre On the day before their return flight to New York, twenty-somethings Julie and Kai have a falling out that sends them on a journey into the heart of Paris. Suddenly by herself, Kai meets Radha and Anissa, a middle-aged couple in a life-altering moment, just as Julie encounters Ira—a woman waging a war against the world, determinedly alone. These encounters open a gateway into strange and unexpected kinship's and even healing. Getting There is a lyrical, funny, and philosophical meditation on solitude, love, and what it means to come home. Getting There is a commission for New Conservatory Theatre Centre New Voices/New Work Commission. |
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3:00 PM |
POSTPONED - Friday Feature Article by playwright David Hancock: Thing Theory |