News and Updates

First off, let me say that I dig Pittsburgh. It's great. It's a well kept secret of urban hipness and theatrical creativity. We've already enjoyed a few productions, and I'm getting to know the community a little. And I had a chance to schmooze with the vibrant local chapter of the Dramatists Guild. (And lest you think that this is all I do, we also took in a Steelers pre-season game, got the cable installed, and have mostly unpacked.) If you're not familiar with the numerous professional theatre companies, check out the following: Pittsburgh Public Pittsburgh Playwrights City Theatre Quantum Bricolage Irish and Classical Open Stage Etc., etc. It's not a huge community, but there's enough going on to keep people busy. And I'm glad to be a part of it.

I may be out of pocket for a few days because we're about to get serious about the business of moving. Seriously. It seems like it's been forever in coming, so I'm glad that it's finally here. And I know I get all momentous about it; we're moving to Pittsburgh to start a new life, grad school for me, a new job for my wife, a new city, new friends, etc. But it all seems like such a natural next step that I'm not really weirding out. It's gonna be an adventure, true that, but we've been packing for this trip for years. Board the plane, already, and take off. Noony-noony-noo.

When it rains it pours. I've got a reading of TRUMPET SOLO at the Warehouse Theatre in Greenville, South Carolina coming up Tuesday, June 24, at 7:00 PM. I love this theatre because of the care and precision the put in to their productions. Plus they're really cool.    Leave a comment

I'm really excited to have a reading of a new play I'm working on at Trustus Theatre . This play, TRUMPET SOLO , is about a man who has a vision of the afterlife that rocks his view of reality. I'm honored to have the phenomenal actor Chris White in the role of Alan. Come check it out Monday, June 23, at 7:00 PM in the new black box.    Leave a comment

I'm doing some catching up this weekend. I've got a list of plays that I have to see to be able to say that I'm in the "theater scene". I've heard raves about most of these, and the others just pique my interest: From Up Here (Liz Flahive) August: Osage County (Tracy Letts) Body Awareness (Annie Baker) Fuerzabruta (De la Guarda) reasons to be pretty (Neil Labute) Hopefully I'll have a chance to post some thoughts about some of these after I see them. They're such sizable and provocative works that it may take time (years) for them to really soak in.

We were in Pittsburgh this week and I got to see an impressive production of August Wilson's TWO TRAINS RUNNING at the indomitable Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre . The production featured Sala Udin, a personal friend of Wilson's, and I get the feeling that this is August as he should be - first-hand, focused, intimate, relaxed. His griot roots were given ample room to stretch throughout the evening, laying an intricate groundwork of language and images that brings the audience into a deeper understanding of the characters and themselves.

I have decided to treat myself to some focused time and attention for my writing. Earning an MFA degree seems to be the way to go. And by the hand of God, it looks like I'm going with Carnegie Mellon and their well-respected dramatic writing program. I got the chance to talk with quite a few students during the decision process, and I feel like I got their honest, critical assessment of the program. (Highly recommended for you kids thinking about grad school.) I'm sure there's a lot to write about getting a degree in writing, but I'll skip that for now. I'm busy enjoying the excitement / anxiety / anticipation...