News and Updates

I was talking with a colleague about one of my small-cast plays and I was trying to describe how productions were so "successful" (from an audience-interaction standpoint) while at the same time being tremendously difficult to justify economically. For my two-person drama TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A POEM IN HONOR OF LIFE , a husband and wife navigate a support group for greiving parents in the aftermath of a school shooting. In multiple productions, the play has been staged in a "site specific" way - asking audience members to enter a small room, often in a church basement or other public space. Everyone sits in a cirlce of metal folding chairs reminiscent of contemporary support groups, and the actors enter the space and sit in the chairs alongside the audience. This staging allows for an intimacy and frankness that can be very compelling. It can also be uncomfortable for an audience to give and receive eye contact - both from actors, and from other audience members....

My play TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A POEM IN HONOR OF LIFE will be produced by The Salvage Company (NYC), as part of the 2018 New York International Fringe Festival. After a year off, FringeNYC is back with a re-imagined celebration of new work in a curated program. We're very lucky to be part of it, and to share this intimate, timely piece. Starring real-life husband-and-wife actors Monica Wyche and Dean Poynor, this immersive, site-specific production examines grief and healing after unimaginable loss. For dates, times, and tickets: The Salvage Company UPDATE: Check out this blog post on The Clyde Fitch Report about the origin of the play and the challenges of immersive production. UPDATE: Final shows have sold out. Tickets still available for Wed. Oct 24

" Up-close and personal " " Compelling " " Transformative " " A+ "   - Charleston City Paper Review " Powerful " " Urgent "   - "What to Watch" " Intimate " " Shining gems "   - Post and Courier The Salvage Company (NYC) presents a new production of my play TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A POEM IN HONOR OF LIFE as part of the 2018 Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. Starring real-life husband-and-wife actors Monica Wyche and Dean Poynor, this immersive, site-specific production examines grief and healing after unimaginable loss.

My new play TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A POEM IN HONOR OF LIFE will have an exclusive run in Columbia, SC in March. The NiA Company is presenting the show in a site-specific production that draws the audience into the story. In keeping with NiA's mission to bring work to the community, the show can be seen at two locations: Tapps Arts Center in downtown Columbia, and also EdVenture Children's Museum in the Vista. I'm thrilled to see the amazing acting work of Darion McCloud and Bonita Peeples in this piece, and I'm grateful that Heather Leigh is directing. -- UPDATE: Here's a great preview article published by the Columbia Free Times .

"A carefully concocted portrait of two characters trying to understand the impossible" "There is a kind of thrill for you to collect the dropped breadcrumbs of a story to weave together your own understanding." - Theatre is Easy "Equally cathartic and instructional" "We leave the circle a little heavier in knowledge but just maybe a bit lighter of soul." - CultureBot "It is truly amazing to watch these two people throw themselves so deeply into the story and have such an incredible, palpable connection to each other." - BuzzFeed

WHEN: June 4 through 28 (15 performances) WHERE: The Cafeteria of P.S. 142 / Amalia Castro Public School 100 Attorney St., NY, NY 10002 (Lower East Side) MORE INFO: www.inhonoroflifetheplay.com

My new play TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A POEM IN HONOR OF LIFE opens in New York City in June for a limited-engagement workshop production. This intimate two-hander follows a married couple in a support group for grieving parents. Presented in an immersive format, the audience has a front-row seat to their memories, healing, sorrow, and joy. I'm thrilled to have the chance to create this new production from the ground up with director Mikhael T. Garver and actors Allison Layman and Michael Dempsey . WHEN: June 4 through 28 (15 performances) WHERE: The Cafeteria of P.S. 142 / Amalia Castro Public School 100 Attorney St., NY, NY 10002 (Lower East Side) MORE INFO: www.inhonoroflifetheplay.com

Mixed Blood Theatre (Minneapolis, MN) will present my new play STEPPING OUT OF THE RIVER AT DAWN as part of their 55454 series which examines the African and Muslim experience in America. I'll have the chance to workshop the play for two weeks, then it will enjoy a limited run. I'm thrilled to be working with the Lortel-nominated Owiso Odera again, and collaborating with Aditi Kapil (director), Antu Jacob , and Irungu Mutu for the first time. Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 PM (reception following) Sunday, May 17 at 2:00 PM (talk-back following) Monday, May 18 at 7:30 PM Mixed Blood Theatre 1501 S 4th St. Minneapolis, MN 55454 (612) 338-6131

My new play YOUNG NEGRESS STEPPING OUT OF THE RIVER AT DAWN will open for a limited-run production starting this coming week at Center Stage in Greenville, SC. It won their New Play Festival last year, and I'm very excited to get to work with them again. Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 7:00pm Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 7:00pm Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 7:00pm Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 7:00pm Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 7:00pm PRESS: Preview article in The Greenville News

I'm very excited to be one of the five playwrights in this weekend's 24-Hour PlayFest at Trustus Theatre in Columbia, SC. I'll be participating virtually from here in NYC, but I'm glad to be working with such talented directors, actors, and fellow writers. WHEN: Sunday, August 24, at 8:00 PM WHERE: Trustus Theatre ( 520 Lady St, Columbia, SC 29201 )

I'm very glad to share that my new play YOUNG NEGRESS STEPPING OUT OF THE RIVER AT DAWN will have two limited-run productions this coming season. Center Stage (Greenville, SC) will present the play in September, 2014, as part of their inaugural "On the Fringe" series. The series examines edgier work and runs in rep with their mainstage production of Hands on a Hard Body book by Doug Wright, lyrics by Amanda Green, music by Trey Anastasio & Amanda Green. I'm honored to continue to work with Centre Stage after winning their New Play Festival in 2013. Mixed Blood Theatre (Minneapolis, MN) will present the play in May, 2015, as part of their 55454 series which examines the African and Muslim experience in America. I'll have the chance to workshop the play for two weeks, then it will enjoy a short weekend run. I'm thrilled to be working with Owiso Odera again, and collaborating with Aditi Kapil (director), Antu Jacob , and Irungu Mutu for the first t...

This weekend one of my short plays, CORPORATIONS ARE PEOPLE, TOO, will be featured in a series of performances called Occupy the Empty Space . OtES seeks to raise awareness of housing issues in NYC, and foment activism through the purposeful use of theatre and educational outreach. My play takes a satirical look at the changing nature of the employer-employee relationship from the perspective of a girl who gets some very bad news. It will be directed by Barbara Harrison and performed by Leal Vona. WHEN: Sunday, March 18th from 2:30 – 7:30 WHERE: Judson Memorial Church, New York, NY 55 Washington Sq South (South side of Washington Square Park) West 4th St (A/B/C/D/E/F/M) or 8th St- NYU stop (N/R).

Rehearsals are heating up for H. apocalyptus and we've posted some promotional photos online. This "new American creation myth" is about Zombies, survival, and the meaning of family. For details, tickets, and more, check out The Salvage Company (NYC) website. PREVIEW PERFORMANCE ADDED! We have been able to add a one-night-only preview performance of H. apocalyptus at Trustus Theatre as a fundraiser / benefit. Trustus has graciously hosted us for our rehearsals in South Carolina and this is a great way to say "thank you" to them for their support. If you can't make it to Charleston for the run, please come out and enjoy this stripped-down version of the play, plus a chance to meet the team in the (living) flesh. WHERE: Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St., Columbia, SC ( Google Map ) WHEN: Sunday, June 5 at 7:30 PM

I'm really excited to be preparing for the U.S. Premiere of my new play H. apocalyptus at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC from June 8 - 12. Teaming up with The Salvage Company (NYC) and the phenomenal director Katherine Brook , the whole team is at the top of their game. Come join us around the electronic campfire. Amazing Press " Top 10 Must See. " "a humor-laced, whiskey-fueled alternative American Creation myth" - Charleston City Paper - Critic's Pick! "caters to everyone’s apocalyptic cravings" - Charleston Geek Culture Examiner "the most important work of the Piccolo Spoleto season." - Free Times Help Out If you're in the area, you can buy tickets online . Or donate to our Kickstarter Campaign .

This week a new, high-energy production of my play Paradise Key opened in Austin, TX at the Hyde Park Theatre . The production features Austin's own a chick and a dude productions and runs from March 31 through April 16. I'll fly down there next week for a post-show talk-back, and to enjoy the run. Actor / producer Shanon Weaver as David gets locked in the room with Tom Green as Halb, while Melissa Livingston directs. Dangerous fun. UPDATE: After a great opening weekend, the production received critical praise, and strong audiences responses. I was able to participate in a talk-back session after a show this past Friday, and every last audience member stayed in their seats to listen. Check out these reviews online: "Buckle your chin strap." "Excellent performances by both Tom Green and Shannon Weaver tell the uncomfortable story."   - NowPlayingAustin.com "Poynor has great strengths as a playwright." "Two characters, one room, and a...

The rise of mass media and broadcast television in the late 40's and early 50's fanned the flames of public outrage against Polio, and also galvanized the forces that found a cure. In the spirit of historical redux, check out the new promotional video for my play Paradise Key coming to the Hyde Park Theatre in Austin, TX produced by a chick and a dude productions . I have had a great time working with Shanon Weaver (at right) and director Melissa Livingston (not pictured), and I promise that if you "like" this on Facebook, nothing bad will happen to your computer. UPDATE: In an interesting public-health-related twist, there will be no smoking during this production because of Austin City ordinances. The artistic team is working to maintain the historical accuracy presented in the script, while trying not to break the law.

I am thrilled to announce an upcoming production of my award-winning play Paradise Key to be performed in Austin, TX at the Hyde Park Theatre . The production will run from March 31 through April 16, 2011 and is being produced by Austin's own a chick and a dude productions . I have had a great time working with (actor / producer) Shanon Weaver and (director) Melissa Livingston and I'm stoked about the production.

So I'm headed down under to participate as the Playwright in Residence with the Cairns Festival in Queensland, Australia. The fest is an annual celebration of local culture, and I'm honored to be an international guest. This marks the first production of my new play Homo apocalyptus - a love story about Zombies, survival, and the meaning of family. It also marks the first production of The Salvage Company , a new theatre venture dedicated to creating and producing original works. The Salvage Comany believes that even things that have been wrecked can be raised again. I think this fits in perfectly with the Undead, of course, and also with the spirit of the play. WHEN: August 31 - September 2 WHERE: The Attic

My new play PARADISE KEY will be produced next month at Trustus Theatre (Columbia, SC) as the final play of their 25th Anniversary season. PARADISE KEY was the winner of the 2010 Trustus Playwrights Festival (which has been running for 22 years) and I'm humbled to be in the company of (then) emerging playwrights like Stephen Belber, David Lindsay-Abaire, Andrea Lepcio, and Sarah Hammond. Rehearsals have been outstanding – as if the cast walked straight out of my mind. Playwriting is (seriously) the best job in the world. WHEN: Aug 11 – 16, 2010 WHERE: Trustus Theatre - Google Map BOX OFFICE: 803.254.9732 UPDATE: Due to an illness, the opening night for this production will now be Wednesday, August 11. UPDATE #2: Here are some links to the great press on the show: Free Times article by Jeffrey Day. The State newspaper article by Otis Taylor.

One of the hippest theatre companies here in Pittsburgh is the amazingly agile and in-touch Bricolage group run by Jeff Carpenter and Tami Dixon. "Making artful use of what is at hand" means that they encourage and challenge audiences to look at normal things from all angles. They have a fantastic reading series which culminated last year in an oustanding production of Jennifer Haley's Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, and this year they have asked me to participate in their annual B.U.S. event - the Bricolage Urban Scrawl. It's a 24-hour play festival where playwrights take inspiration from a ride on a Pittsburgh City bus. If you need to reach me this Friday night, I'll be on the 14-C. WHAT: 5th Annual Bricolage Urban Scrawl WHEN: Saturday, March 27th, 2010 @ 7:30PM WHERE: 937 Liberty Ave, First Floor, Pittsburgh ( Google Map ) TICKETS: Brown Paper Tickets MORE: 412.381.6999