I have learned that Proscenium Theatre Journal has recognized “Encore Encore” as a finalist for consideration in their fall play publications.

Proscenium brands itself as “the first quarterly journal dedicated to publishing high-caliber theatrical works.” The people at Proscenium are “dedicated to producing a high quality journal showcasing the freshest contemporary voices in theatre” while also striving “to create a platform for playwrights to share their works with potential producers and for producers to discover new works in an easy, accessible way.”

I think it’s wonderful that publications like Proscenium exist to publicize the work of talented playwrights who otherwise may not have a voice due to their lack of “connections.” It’s often very difficult for playwrights to get their plays out into the public eye. Proscenium seeks to bridge this divide by putting promising new plays in a spotlight.

“Encore Encore” won’t be among the fall plays featured by Proscenium Theatre Journal, but will be considered for future editions.

Today I had the great pleasure of learning that my new play “Encore, Encore” was chosen as a finalist in the 2014 American Actors UK Playreading Festival.

The festival is sponsored by the group American Actors UK (formerly known as the North American Actors Association). Their focus is on providing support to American and Canadian actors who live and work in the UK. My play “Fifteen Men In A Smoke-Filled Room” was one of six winners in their 2012 playreading festival. The play was read at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden by a group of extremely talented actors and actresses.

It is truly an honor to be among the finalists again this time around – among the top 15 scripts!

Congrats to the winners and best of luck to American Actors UK for their upcoming festival!

We closed our brief run of “Encore, Encore” today with a wonderful final performance from the actors (the best performance they gave) and an enjoyable talkback with the audience involving director Paula D’Alessandris and me.

There are so many people to thank for this wonderful production…

1. Paula D’Alessandris, our director, for her expert choice of the actors and for the dedication (and good cheer) she brings to her craft.
2. Dominic Cuskern, co-producer of the festival, for choosing my play and giving writers a vehicle for such special world premieres.
3. Sue Glausen, another co-producer of the festival, for helping us through both rehearsals and productions with infinite good cheer.
4. Sam Kearney, our lighting man, for being so involved and focused on making the play the best that it could be.
5. Gina, our costume designer, for stylishly dressing the actors in 1920’s attire.
6. Elizabeth and Sophie, our stage managers, for their neverending help and assistance.
7. THE ACTORS!! Janette for her stunning performance of Dorothy; Hugh for saving the day and turning into a great Benchley; Sergio for his deep, brooding, yet multidimensional Eddie; Gary for his classy Crowninshield and wonderfully drunk Ross; Helen for her memorable Woolly; Michael for his suave MacArthur; and Brad for his subtle Sherwood.

It has been a pleasure to work with The Gallery Players! I would encourage everyone to check out their wonderful shows.

Now it’s time to submit, submit, submit…

“Encore, Encore” opened tonight at The Gallery Players and the actors did a superb job – what a great opening! You could feel the energy in the air from the actors as it radiated from the stage. The first audience ever to see the show was very receptive and seemed to enjoy it.

Kudos to the actors and our director, Paula D’Alessandris, for a job well done!

Three more performances to go!

(poster by Paula D’Alessandris)

I was fortunate to attend a rehearsal of “Encore Encore” the other night at The Gallery Players in Brooklyn, NY. The rehearsal was especially enjoyable because the actors were rehearsing in the theater space where they’d be performing. The Gallery Players has a wonderful stage (surprisingly big!) and is really a very fine theater.

The actors did a wonderful job developing their roles and using the stage to its fullest. I’m excited to see what the play will look like by the time it’s finished. What a wonderful opportunity for my play to be performed by such talented people and in such a great space!

I also had the pleasure of meeting the producer of the Black Box New Play Festival, Dominic Cuskern.