Stephen Taft
he, him, his
Cedar Falls,
Primarily a director, Stephen has worn many hats throughout his career. Most recently, that of playwright. He is an Associate Professor of Performance at the Un
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Biography

Stephen Taft transitioned into retirement at the end of the spring 2022 academic semester retiring from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is adjusting to retirement and focusing on playwriting. The first fourteen years of his career was a balance of administrative work, artistic work and teaching. He has previously served UNI as Head of the Department of Theatre, Acting Head of the Department of Art and as Director of Education and Special Projects for the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Other leadership positions have included Head of the Performing Arts Department (Theatre and Dance) at The University of Louisiana-Lafayette and as Chair of the Department of Theatre at LaGrange College in Georgia. Steve received his Ph.D. in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Theatre with concentrations in Arts Management and Directing from Texas Tech University, a Master of Arts in Theatre from Missouri State University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Central Missouri majoring in Theatre and Speech with a minor in Dance. 

Plays

Which Way to the Beach?
by Stephen Taft

Dale, a beloved and recently retired professor has died unexpectedly. On his way to the beach he realizes he may be entering Heaven instead - if he's cleared. Although Heaven sounds good considering the alternative, Dale is more concerned with his wife. How will she cope with her loss? Which Way to the Beach presents our "everyman", Dale, in a genuine, disarmingly humorous way.

Cast:
DALE: An energetic, positive-minded, recently retired professor. PETER: A distinguished-looking man. ANGEL: A youthful to middle-aged angel. BARB: Dale’s attractive and recently retired wife.
The Drive
by Stephen Taft

Max and Miriam are taking a “spontaneous” Saturday morning drive (or is it Tuesday)? Between Rest Stops, car games and personal discoveries, it becomes apparent that patience and memory may be leading them down a long, lost, lonely, yet loving highway.

Cast:
V.O. (Adult male – opening line only) MAX – 76 – retired MIRIAM – 73 – retired
Nice and Kind
by Stephen Taft

Once upon a time being “nice” or “kind” may have appeared to have similar meanings. Today, these two four-letter words appear to mean something quite different. With the aid of a middle-aged woman (Joy), a young man (Trevor) and an imaginary dog (Bob), "Nice and Kind" explores the difference between being nice and kind in a humorous and heartfelt way.

Cast:
JOY: a lovable late middle-age woman TREVOR: early 20's, handsome, educated
Apples and Elephants
by Stephen Taft

It’s late May 2020. Tempers are rising and South Minneapolis is in flames following the killing of George Floyd. What happens when a young white woman unexpectedly meets an African-American man in a Minneapolis park the day after a violent protest in Minneapolis? "Apples and Elephants" explores life perspectives as diverse as our society in an attempt to discover common ground in these unsettling times.

Cast:
Denzel Anderson: An African-American man in his early to mid-thirties. Shelby Johnson: A white woman, mid-twenties. Police Officer: White, early twenties Podcast Host (V.O.), African-American, female
KREON
by Stephen Taft

In this (loosely-based) adaptation of Antigone, a tiny isolated nation is only a threat to itself. It has been ruled by Kings for generations. There is no oil or other resources the outside world may crave. The military has no nuclear weapons to use as a potential offensive weapon. In recent years the economy has faltered and more recently, modern communications have been greatly affected by a war involving two brothers vying for the throne. Now, it is time for the next chapter

Cast:
ELENA: female, news correspondent NIKOS: male, a reporter SENATOR: male or female GENERAL: make DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS: male or female ATTORNEY: male or female MINISTER: male or female KREON: a King, male ANTIGONE: female ISMENE: female KASSANDRA: Kreon's assistant, female SOLDIER: male TIRESIAS: an elderly blind prophet, male MESSENGER: male or female
Confinamento
by Stephen Taft

A newly retired couple take their fantasy trip to Italy only to discover the coronavirus and divorce are in the air. On the eve of their return to the United States, Italy is on lockdown (confinamento) and they are stranded – together. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. Will they survive the coronavirus? Will they survive each other? Time will tell.

Cast:
Jean, a retired housewife John, a recently retired marketing executive Woman, a young woman Robert, a young newlywed Elizabeth, a young newlywed

Successes

My short play, "The Drive" premiered at the at the Northpark Playwright Festival in San Diego in October of 2022. 

"Apples and Elephants" was selected to be a part of the University of Northern Iowa's "Cultivating Justice: A Quest Towards Racial Equality" program during the spring 2021 semester and the 2021-22 academic year.

My short play, "Nice and Kind" received a staged reading at the 5th Annual International Short Play Festival in Orange County, NY in August of 2021. It was first produced at the First Run Theatre's short play festival Spectrum 2021 in St. Louis in October of 2021.  "Nice and Kind" was also a finalist in the Lakeshore Players Theater 17th Annual Ten-Minute Playwriting Contest. It was then produced at the Weathervane Theatre 8x10 Festival in Akron, Ohio in January of 2022 and will be produced in July of 2022 at the Gulfport Community Players 21st Summer One-Act Competition in Florida. Many thanks to all of these theatre companies.