Goodbye, Somewhere Safer; Hello, Salvage

(Why am I naming days?) (And what does it mean to “Help build the honeycomb?). 

8/21/13, Day 13, 623: Kanjy

This day is so named because (with some prodding from a Lark friend) I joined the Kanjy community. Kanjy is many things, but first, it is a platform to help fix the broken play submission process. Kanjy’s cool functionality not only supports the work of playwrights, but also those who develop new plays. I’m as excited for how Kanjy could help Flux’s literary department as I am for how it might help me as a playwright. I had the good fortune to serve as an early sounding board for the project, and if all goes well, I believe Kanjy could really have a transformative impact on the new play development field. I am especially excited that the Lark is one of their key partners, because I know that means the platform will end up inclusively empowering playwrights. I’ll write more on all of this anon, but for now, check it out and sign up.

8/22/13, Day 13,624: The Lost Gospel of Nosedive

This day is so named because I finished my contribution to Nosedive Productions Gala. As you may know, founder James Comtois is leaving Nosedive, and though some part of their work will continue (I believe the Blood Brothers will continue their spree), it is a major change for the Indie Theatre scene. I wanted to honor their work in an appropriately bloody, silly, sentimental way; and if nothing else, I hope my little play communicates the great affection I have for the Nosedive team. The Gala is on Monday, September 23rd, so save the date!

8/23/13, Day 13,625: Movers and Shakers, Dreamers of Dreams

This day is so named for the final performance of Somewhere Safer. It’s been a joy to work on this project for many reasons, but near the top of the list is the incredibly welcoming, playful and creative environment built by Jen Kipley, Deborah Wolfson, Lauren Ferebee and Yvette Kojic. The care and thought they put into this production led to a beautiful camaraderie in the cast and production team, and I’m sorry to see this production end. The day is named for the famous Arthur O’Shaughnessy poem that has a direct role, and indirect influence, on the play; a poem shared in a lovely parting email to all from our talented playwright. Thanks to everyone who came out to see it!

8/24/13, Day 13, 626: Salvage is Born

This day is so named because I finally finished my latest full-length play Salvage, just in time for the Flux retreat. The play is written to pair Sol Crespo with Racheal Hip-Flores again, and there’s also a role for my long-term collaborator and Flux Creative Partner, Isaiah Tanenbaum. I’m thrilled to have the play finished, both for its own sake and because I’ve only written three full-length projects this Retreat-to-Retreat year: Stepping, Upgrade and now Salvage. I’d been averaging at least four full-length projects, and though I have plenty of excuses, excuses are much less fun to stage. I’m hoping to be more productive after this next Retreat, and will shoot for at least five full-lengths done in the next 12 months (of course, there’s also the matter of finishing the After Earth novel…)

I’ll be away starting today at the Flux Retreat, and I don’t know how much blogging I’ll be doing, but I hope to keep up this pace and then some upon my return.

What small things did I do these past few days to help build the Honeycomb?

• I engaged in two online debates, one surrounding the #Trayvon case, and the other regarding the transgender/cisgender experiences. The latter was a very enjoyable debate, and while I didn’t persuade my partners from their core beliefs, we were able to find common ground on protecting the freedom and safety for all people of sexual and gender difference…and that’s what matters most. The #Trayvon dialogue was much less productive, and it ended with my conversation partner defending a blog commenter’s use of the words “blacks animals” in reference to two young black men currently accused of murder. I made it clear that an apology for that language was required for my further engagement, and instead, I was given a series of absurd intellectual contortions trying to make that language acceptable. But that kind of intolerance and hate speech, in any context, is never acceptable, and so I said goodbye to that dialogue. There’s a line between compassionately challenging white privilege, and inadvertently enabling racist thinking, and I felt I had crossed the line into the latter and so walked away. Not easy stuff.
• While I was unable to be at the 50th Anniversary March on Washington, my spirit was most definitely there, and I signed a follow-up petition to restore the Voting Rights Act.
• I wrote a post about the NET board meeting for the NET blog–I’ll share it once it goes live.
• I asked House Republicans to stop their endless attempts at repealing the Affordable Care Act.  I’m sure they’ll listen to me…
• I acted in Somewhere Safer.
• I ate vegetarian, including veggies from our local, organic CSA.
• I wrote a play for Nosedive’s Gala!
• I did a bunch of work in preparation for Flux’s retreat.

Technique never stands still: it only advances or retreats…

Writing: 10 out of the last 12 days
Yoga: 6 out of the last 12 days
Spanish: 11 out of the last 12 days