So excited about Post-Industrial Production in Buffalo, NY doing a staged reading of my play “The Escape Thingy” on August 18 at 7:30 p.m.
It’s the first event in their newly christened "First Draughts" series - a quarterly staged reading series at Area 54 at caffe at Amy's (3234 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14214). "First Draughts" will spotlight new works from up-and-coming playwrights, while offering audience members the chance to unwind in a casual venue with a beer, glass of wine, or NA beverage.
Post-Industrial Production’s mission is to produce socially-relevant theatre that tackles issues important to younger adults (18-30ish) and underserved communities. We are also working to bring theatre to non-traditional spaces to make it more approachable. It all sounds FANTASTIC!
Big thanks to Bob Van Valin and the whole team at PIP Theatre for selecting my play! And if you’re in the area, please check it out and let me know how it goes.
I’m so happy to be invited to join the inaugural cohort of Skylight Theatre’s “Open Sky Playwrights Club” in Los Angeles! Ten playwrights were selected from over 150 submissions — folks submitted their ideas for a new play, or whatever pages they might have written already of it, and the idea is that we will try to complete/re-work our drafts over the next six weeks, with each other’s support.
Skylight Theatre has a long history of developing wonderful new work, and this program, created by Cameron Watson and Logan Ellis, is a new foray into providing a safe space for playwrights to create.
I have the feeling I always have at this point: OH CRAP I HAVE TO FINISH WRITING THIS THING NOW. Wish me luck please!
Look for me in episode 5 of Season 3 of “The Comeback” with Lisa Kudrow! I play Genie, called in to act in Cherish’s new sitcom. I had a blast from the time of the table read all the way to the shoot days on the beautiful Warner Brothers lot in Burbank.
Days like that make me remember being a kid and dreaming of working in Hollywood. Check it out on HBO!
With the hilarious Brad Morris
A vision in AutumnWear
Thrilled that my new play “This Is Crazy” is getting a staged reading at Bennington Theater in Vermont on April 26 at 2:00 pm.
Directed by Kathleen Thunbert, the reading will feature actors Tess McCue, gripp, Chris Wehrman, and Ingrid Madelayne.
Had a wonderful time working with the students and faculty of South Dakota State University (go Jackrabbits!). Their 2026 Festival of New Plays was a great event, and I loved giving a lecture, attending rehearsals, mentoring a talented senior, meeting the two other selected playwrights, and visiting the tractor museum!
Sure, okay, it was TWO degrees, but everyone’s spirits were warm and welcoming. The audience enjoyed the reading of “This Is Crazy” and I learned a lot about what to work on in the next rewrite.
THANKS to Jim Wood and everyone who made this workshop possible!
So proud of the wonderful feature about my new play’s World Premiere production of “Circle Forward” in today’s Naples Press, written by Harriet Heithaus, with photos by Olga Hayes. Check it out:
https://www.naplespress.com/arts-living/the-journey-of-a-playwright-deb-hietts-creative-process/article_98d93685-c85a-4f39-8407-3a5e65da4e68.html
Photo by Olga Hayes. Opening night reception.
Photo by Olga Hayes. The cast (L-R: Anne Troup, Anthony Zambito, Meeghan Holaway, Bekah Zornosa) takes a bow.
Photo by Olga Hayes. Mia (played by Meeghan Holaway) in a moment of reflection.