So excited to learn that "The Presentation," one of my ten-minute plays, is a finalist for the 2017 Heideman Award at Actors Theatre of Louisville. The play was submitted for consideration of this award as well as inclusion in ATL's National Ten-Minute Play Contest.

Established in 1989, the National Ten-Minute Play Contest remains one of the most enduring and significant means by which the literary staff at Actors Theatre of Louisville connects with American playwrights and is introduced to vibrant new voices for the stage. The Heideman Award was established in 1979. Made possible by the late Ted Heideman, a Louisvillian, the $1,000 cash prize is bestowed annually upon the winner of the National Ten-Minute Play Contest (1990 – present).

Won't know final results until February, but I'm honored to be selected as a finalist for this prestigious prize.

Skyler Gallun and Nikita Tewani, as directed by Lori Kee at Nylon Fusion (NYC). All photos credit: Al Foote III

My new short play, "Chain Link," will be produced as part of Nylon Fusion's "This Round's On Us" series Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4 at 9:00 p.m. The evenings will also feature a World Premiere by the brilliant John Patrick Shanley.

Directed by Lori Kee, the short play features Nikita Tewani and Skyler Gullen.

The performances will take place at TADA! NYC, 15 W. 28th Street, New York, NY 10001. Tickets available here and more info at NylonFusion.org. Catch it if you can!

My newest play, "The Super Variety Match Bonus Round!" is part of the Playwrights Union "First Peek" play reading series on Sunday June 5 at 2:00 p.m. sharp, at the VS Theater, 5453 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90019. Tickets are FREE and available at Eventbrite (it's a small space, please get your tickets in advance to avoid crushing disappointment).

Synopsis for "The Super Variety Match Bonus Round!":
When a very modern kid with no vowels in his name rents a bedroom in the small home of a small-town Texas couple during a big desert music festival weekend, and that couple is struggling with grief and progress and how to find their tiny safe place in a big scary rapidly changing world, and that kid kindly decides to dose their applesauce with his own personalized candy-flip of party psycho-pharmaceuticals, and then that couple finds themselves in a 1970s-era game show experiencing a truth reckoning that shakes the very foundation of their marriage, hilarity ensues.

I mean, COME ON.

Last fall I had the thrill of performing a song from a new musical called "Ghost(s) -- The Musical" in a Los Angeles showcase called "A Little New Music" at Rockwell Table and Stage.  The song "People Person" is sung by a character named DeeDee Dupree, the evil, uh... misunderstood real estate developer, and it was written by the brilliant Brian Woodbury.  Enjoy!

I'm very proud that my play "Miss Keller Has No Second Book" was in the top 30 plays (out of 750) in the prestigious PlayPenn 2016 New Play Development Conference. Congrats to all the finalists!

My latest play, "Miss Keller's Second Book," was announced as a finalist in Chicago's Route 66 "Test Drive" New Play Workshop today, and I'm so happy about it! I was just working on a new draft of this one, and it's so encouraging to get this kind of validation to keep working on it.

Route 66 Theatre Company introduces, develops, produces, and exports new work for the stage that embrace the American spirit of exploration and risk.

Here's the synopsis for "Miss Keller's Second Book:"
It’s been nearly 50 years since the notoriously reclusive Agnes Keller published her first and only book. Now, with her protective sister recently deceased, Agnes must face the pressures from outside her small sanctuary as she grapples with the inevitability of change, the tangled tethers of family, and the question of an artist’s obligation to the world.

Many thanks to Literary Manager Frances Limoncelli and everyone at Route 66 Theatre Company!

I'm looking forward to singing Brian Woodbury's hilarious song "People Person" at the acclaimed L.A. musical theater series "A Little New Music" on Wednesday, June 3 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available here (they sell out quickly).

Hosted by Tony-winner Daisy Eagan and Jordan Kai Burnett, "A LITTLE NEW MUSIC is a fast-paced hour of the best new or unheard musical theater songs out there. Whether it’s a recent premiere from an established writer or an undiscovered tune from a promising up-and-comer, our mission is to entertain with a program that keeps your finger on the pulse." And who doesn't want their finger on the pulse? I mean, where else should that finger be?

It all takes place at Rockwell Table & Stage (1714 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027, in Los Feliz). It even has its own theme song!  Should be a fun night, please join us!