PLAYLABS FESTIVAL THE37 ANNUAL - OCTOBER 19-25, 2020 - Playwrights' Center
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THE 37 TH ANNUAL
PLAYLABS
FESTIVAL
Nora Montañez and the cast Pan Genesis by Marvin González De León in movement created by Pedro Pablo Lander, presented in PlayLabs 2019. Photo by Paula Keller
OCTOBER 19–25, 2020
THE 37TH ANNUAL PLAYLABS FESTIVAL ROOM ENOUGH (FOR US ALL) we are continuous by Daaimah Mubashshir by Harrison David Rivers Monday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. & Friday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. Fatimah, a recently widowed matriarch, is determined to have it all. She wants the opportunity When a son reveals that he is HIV positive, his mother must decide how far her unconditional love to set right a 10-year mistake by inviting Jamillah, her queer daughter, to return home after a long forced extends. In this tender autobiographical play, Harrison David Rivers explores how people can change absence. Can she have it all when Abdullah, her son, is driven to fight against this decision even though he and how love can evolve. loves his mother deeply? Room Enough (For Us All) is centered on a contemporary African-American Muslim Family coming to terms with how to treat queerness up against long-standing ideals and faith. MOTHER OF EXILES BEGIN, BEGIN, BEGIN AGAIN by Jessica Huang by Erin Courtney Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. & Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. In 1898 California, a pregnant Eddie Loi faces deportation. In 1998 Miami, her grandson Braulio In a re-imagining of The Oresteia set in an art museum in the near future, an audio tour guide voice accidentally summons her spirit while patrolling the border. In 2063 somewhere on the ocean, their artist is haunted by the desire to kill her husband. Is it possible to seek justice instead of revenge? In this descendants try to survive the climate crisis. An epic multigenerational tale of sacrifice, love, and formally inventive work, Erin Courtney invites us to see the horror behind the brutality of our current survival that spans 150 years in 90 minutes. justice system and to invite change through collective imagination. PLAYWRITING FELLOWS SHOWCASE Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. Join us for an evening of scenes from plays in progress by our 2020-21 Playwrights’ Center fellows and mentees: Cristina Florencia Castro, Gracie Gardner, Marvin González De León, JuCoby Johnson, Candrice Jones, Shannon TL Kearns, Nora Montañez, Savannah Reich, Tylie Shider, and Katie Ka Vang.
Welcome And Thank You For Joining Us For Our 37th Annual Playlabs Festival!
We are embracing what it means to create theater during a pandemic and At the heart of PlayLabs is the holistic incubation of new work, and this year is
moving the entire process online. While we will miss those personal moments no exception. We are thrilled to bring you these incredible new plays by Erin
of connection by being in space together—from the warm greetings in the Courtney, Jessica Huang, Daaimah Mubashshir, and Harrison David Rivers.
lobby to that collective gasp at a play’s surprise moment in the theater—we’re Whether beautifully written family dramas or relevant reimaginings of classic
grateful that this year, geography will no longer limit who can experience the tales, each story told is both unique and universal. You may see yourself in
festival. Whether you’re joining us from across the country, around the world, people you’ve never met or find new laughter and understanding in
or just down the street in the Twin Cities, we’re excited you’re here with us to characters you’ve known.
celebrate these powerful new stories.
These stunning plays accomplish what all good stories seek to do: bring us
At Playwrights’ Center, we lead with our values, and this year we are creating closer to our human connection with one another and guide our path to a
even more paid artist jobs by expanding the festival. Four playwrights are more equitable, empathetic, and imaginative world.
currently developing their new work, partnering with the creative team of
their choosing, receiving two full weeks of writing and rehearsal time, and—as So gather your friends or family (if you’re able to in a socially distanced way)
always at Playwrights’ Center—being equitably compensated for their time and around the Zoom screen. Sit back. Get comfortable. And experience these new
their artistry. Over the course of the festival, nearly 70 paid opportunities for plays along with the rest of the world for the very first time.
theatermakers are being created.
On behalf of the PlayLabs artists, the Playwrights’ Center staff and board, and
the 2,200+ playwright members we serve each year, thank you and enjoy!
Jeremy B. Cohen Robert Chelimsky
Producing Artistic Director Managing Director
Mother of Exiles
by Jessica Huang
Director Actors
Jesca Prudencio** Michele Selene Ang* / Eddie Loi
Sound Design Consultant Stephanie Bertumen / Stage Directions
John Nobori Nicole Javier* / Midwife, Sofía, Mimi López-Loi
Stage Manager Tess Lina* / Missionary, Kate López-Loi
Sequoia Hauck Thallis Santesteban* / Tata, Claudia López
Apprentice Stage Manager
Ricardo Vázquez* / Modesto/Braulio Loi
Roshni Desai
Stephen Yoakam* / Guard, Mick, Henry
Festival Producer
Hayley Finn
“My ancestors were Russian, Chinese, and Jewish immigrants
who migrated to the US and built businesses, suffered Associate Producer
prejudices, overcame struggles, fell in love, and created new
cultures. Their legacies live on in my mixed-race body and in Julia Brown
my fourth-generation interracial marriage. Inspired by their
stories of sacrifice, courage, great risks and radical empathy,
Mother of Exiles was created in honor of them—and in
*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, the Playwrights’ Center, and Actors’
honor of us, their descendants, who continue their legacy.” Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
—Jessica Huang
**Member, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Jessica Huang (playwright) Plays Michele Selene Ang* (Eddie Loi) Roshni Desai (apprentice stage
include The Paper Dreams of Harry is a Chinese-American actor, writer, manager) is a recent University of
Chin, Mother of Exiles, Transmissions and artist. She was born in Indonesia, Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA
in Advance of the Second Great raised in San Francisco, educated in Actor Training Program graduate,
Dying, and Purple Cloud. She has New York, and is currently based in currently residing in Minneapolis,
commissions with Manhattan Los Angeles. She holds a BA degree Minnesota. They are a fierce believer
Theatre Club, TimeLine Theatre in Theatre Per formance from in theater as a way to connect
Company, Audible, Theater Masters, Fordham University, and was communities, especially marginalized
History Theatre, and Theater Mu. chosen as a 2012 YoungArts winner ones. Roshni also works at Project
She is the inaugural recipient of and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Success as a Program Coordinator
the 4 Seasons Residency; a 2018 Arts. Her work can be found on and loves getting to work with
MacDowell Fellow; a three-time Playwrights’ Center Fellow, and has Netflix’s hit drama 13 Reasons Why and CBS’ Elementary. Her latest students and is very passionate about helping young people obtain
received awards from the National Theatre Conference, Sloan theater credits include Bryna Turner’s Bull in a China Shop at Lincoln the skills and tools to make their dreams happen.
Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and Minnesota State Arts Board. Center and Anna Moench’s Man of God at East West Players. When
She’s an alum of Page 73 Interstate 73, Ars Nova Play Group, and she’s not memorizing lines or tapping away at her laptop, you can find Sequoia Hauck (stage manager)
Juilliard. www.jessica-huang.com her at your local bookstore, nose deep in a novel, curled up with a cup (Anishinaabe/Hupa) is a multi-
of tea. disciplinary artist in the Twin Cities
Jesca Prudencio** (director) is a focused on creating theater, film,
d i re c t o r a n d c h o r e o g ra p h e r Stephanie Bertumen (stage and performance art that decolonizes
focused on creating highly physical direc tions) is delighted to be the process of art-making. They make
interdisciplinary work across the working with the Playwrights’ art surrounding the narratives of
U.S. and internationally. Recent projects Center once again. In addition to c o nt inua t io n a nd re silie nc y.
include The Interview, a virtual work by the PWC, Ms. Bertumen has acted Sequoia has worked on and offstage
Ekaterina Avgustenyak (Arena Stage with such companies as Theater with organizations such as The
and Forum for Cultural Engagement, Latté Da, Ten Thousand Things, Southern Theater, Exposed Brick
DC), The Great Leap by Lauren Yee The Old Globe, Children’s Theatre Theatre, Turtle Theater Collective, Aniccha Arts, Art Shanty
(Steppenwolf) and Interstate, a new Company, Old Log Theatre, Ordway, Projects, Poetry and Pie, and Patrick’s Cabaret. In 2019, they
musical by Kit Yan and Melissa Yi Theater Mu, History Theatre, performed in Aotearoa/New Zealand at Tātau Whetū Series—Artist
(Mixed Blood). Other credits include Vietgone and Actually (San Backyard to Broadway, Casting Floor Talks with a piece called “Te Mana o Te Wai,” a poetry and film
Diego Rep), Calling (La MaMa ETC), Man of God (East West Players), Spells Productions, and Bloomington Civic Theatre. Stephanie is a installation surrounding Sequoia’s connection with water.
How To Use A Knife (Mixed Blood), PDA (La Jolla Playhouse’s Wow proud graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA sequoiahauck.com
Festival), A&Q (Pineapple Lab, Philippines) and FAN: stories from the Actor Training Program.
brothels of Bangkok (B-Floor, Thailand). She has developed new works Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913,
is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000
with various companies including NNPN at The Kennedy Center, The professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters
Lark, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, the art of live theatre as an essential component of society
and The Movement Theatre Company. She is a recipient of The Drama and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions
and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a
League Fellowship, and the inaugural Julie Taymor World Theater member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of
Fellowship. BFA: NYU Tisch, MFA: UC San Diego. Jescaprudencio.com performing arts unions. #EquityWorks
Nicole Javier* (Midwife/Sofía/ John Nobori (sound design Ricardo Vázquez* (Modesto/
Mimi López-Loi) is an actor and consultant) is a California-based Braulio Loi) is an award winning
teaching artist. She holds an MFA sound designer and engineer. His actor most recently seen in the
in Acting at University of California w ork h a s b e e n he a rd in p lay s Bro a d way p ro d uc t io n o f T h e
San Diego, and a BFA in Theatre produced by such organizations as Inheritance. NYC: Atlantic Theater,
Pe r f o r m a n c e f ro m C h a p m a n Cornerstone Theater Company, The New York Stage and Film, HERE
U n i v e r s i t y. Ri g h t b e f o r e t h e Getty Villa, and Oregon Shakespeare A r t s C e n t e r, H u d s o n Va l l e y
pandemic, she was in Where the Festival. Other recent credits Shakespeare Festival, Mass MOCA
Mountain Meets the Moon at South include Center Theatre Group’s Museum, and Dixon Place. Regional:
Coast Repertory and is so thankful production of Elliot: a Soldier’s Guthrie Theatre, Chance Theater,
for online opportunities to find Fugue and South Coast Repertory’s and the Alabama Shakespeare
community and share stories. Regional theatre include: La Jolla production of Orange. He has been nominated for several awards for Festival. Films: Gets Good Light (Tribeca), Nina of the Woods (Cinequest,
Playhouse, San Diego Repertory, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, excellence in sound design, including an Ovation Award for his work Philadelphia Film Festival), Farmer of the Year, and Death to Prom. Solo
Shakespeare Orange County, Aurora Theatre Company, Crowded on The Golden Dragon at Boston Court Pasadena. BA University of Work: Juracán: The Jíbaro and his Three Sons, and Escúchame. He
Fire Theatre, San Jose Repertory. Nicole currently resides in Los California, Irvine. was a Jerome Many Voices Fellow and received the Twin Cities IVEY
Angeles with her pup, Zorro. Nicolejavier.com Award for Emerging Artist. More at Ricardo-Vazquez.com
Thallis Santesteban* (Tata/Claudia
Tess Lina* (Missionary/Kate López- López) Theater credits include: The Stephen Yoakam* (Guard/Mick/
Loi) is thrilled to be working on this Sins of Sor Juana (Ten Thousand Henry) is a longtime member of the
moving play with Jessica Huang Things); Charlie’s Aunt, Pride and Twin Cities theater community. He
and this fantastic company of artists. Prejudice, Lion in Winter, Golden is a founding member of the Mixed
Tess most recently performed in the Age (Guthrie Theatre); Mermaid Blood Theater, appearing in over 30
LATW national tour of SEVEN. Hour: Remixed, DJ Latinidad’s Latino productions. At the Guthrie Theater,
Theatre credits include: Mark Taper Dance Party, In the Time of the he has performed in over 80
Forum, La Jolla Playhouse, San Jose Butterflies, Minnecanos, Theory productions including King Lear,
Rep, Laguna Playhouse, the Guthrie of Mind, Hijab Tube (Mixed Blood Othello, Burial at Thebes, An Iliad,
Theatre, and the Denver Center in Theatre); Lone Star Spirits (Jungle and the History Plays. Stephen was
Tantalus, a co-production with the Theatre); Nature (Tiger Lion Arts); Quitamitos (Teatro del Pueblo); in The Children, The Nether, The
Royal Shakespeare Company, directed by Sir Peter Hall and written by Clandestino (Wilhelm Bros. & Co.); Breaking Ice (Pillsbury House Night Alive, The Seafarer, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the
John Barton. Tess has served as Associate Artistic Director of Theatre); Our Town, Antigone (Miami New Drama); Su Nombre Será Jungle Theater. He has performed at Pillsbury House Theater, the
Shakespeare Orange County, where she recently performed the title Su Sombra Para Siempre, El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera, En el Playwrights’ Center, and at Carnegie Hall with the Minnesota
role in Antony and Cleopatra. Film/TV credits include: How to Get Tiempo de las Mariposas, La Gringa (Repertorio Español NYC); La Orchestra. Stephen is a recipient of the McKnight Theater
Away with Murder, S.W.A.T., Revenge, House, CSI, CSI:Miami, NCIS, Alondra (UNAM, Mexico City). Education: University of Minnesota/ Artist Fellowship.
and Danika with Marisa Tomei. She is a graduate of the Juilliard Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training Program.
Drama Division.
THE
RUTH EASTON THANK YOU DONORS
The Playwrights’ Center gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organizations who have financially supported
NEW PLAY SERIES our work. The following names represent gifts given between August 1, 2019 and October 15, 2020.
December, 2020–April, 2021
GOVERNMENT, FOUNDATIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS
$100,000
Dec. 9, 2020
$50,000–$99,000
No Cure
Jake Jeppson
Jan. 13, 2021
Getting There
Dipika Guha
$25,000–$49,999
Feb. 3, 2021
The Harold & Mimi Steinberg
This Much I Know Charitable Trust
Jonathan Spector
Mar. 3, 2021
Pulp Vérité
$2,500-$24,999 Up to $999 INDIVIDUALS
ArtSpace Projects, Inc. Actors’ Equity Foundation, Inc. $10,000+
Crystal Skillman Boss Foundation AmazonSmile Eric Anderson and Roger Beck
Bush Foundation The Benevity Community Impact Fund Barry Berg and Walter Tambor
Apr. 7, 2021 Patrick & Aimee Butler Family Foundation GiveMN.org Lee Blessing and Melanie Marnich
Dual Citizen Brewing Co. Jamf
Nancy France 44 Wines & Spirits Network for Good
Jeffrey Bores• and Michael Hawkins
Rhiana Yazzie Mary Beidler Gearen•
The Head Family Foundation Seagate Technology LLC Christina Ham
KNOCK, Inc. US Bank Foundation MaryAnn Lippay Kanee and Stephen Kanee Family
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) YourCause Fund
Piper Sandler & Co Jennifer Melin Miller and David Miller
City of St. Paul (Cultural STAR) In-Kind Wayne Zink and Christopher Schout•
Tides Foundation Alma Dana and Stephen Strand
Trader Joe’s
For Information And Tickets $1,000 - $2,499
pwcenter.org/ruth-easton-series Faegre Drinker Foundation
Securian Financial Foundation
Meghan Kreidler as Volina in Betty Shamieh’s Malvolio, during the February 2020 Ruth Easton New Play Series. Photo by Paula Keller Whole Lotta Future Foundation •denotes Playwrights’ Center Board Member
THANK YOU DONORS Individuals (contINUEd)
$5,000-$9,999 $1,000 - $2,499 Michelle Vaught Peter Brosius and Rosanna Staffa
Anonymous Anonymous Barbara Weber Robert P. and Debbie A. Brown
David Chelimsky and Flor Pinho dik Bolger and Carmen Gutierrez-Bolger Suzanne Weinstein and Danny Levey Mary and Mike Burke
Barbara Davis Peter and Maura• Brew Joan and Scott Wilensky Bob and Carolyn Bye
Robert P. Englund Jeremy Cohen and Michael Elyanow Jamie Wilson and David Ericson Allene Cohen
Barbara Field Jeanne Corwin Robert Dorfman
Larissa Kokernot and Karl Gajdusek• Dan Dietz $250 - $499 Marilyn J. Doyle
John Geelan and Megan Feeney Nancy Engh Patricia Barrier Robert C Droddy
Elizabeth Grant Chelle and Mike Gonzo George Brant and Laura Kepley Bonnie S. Dudovitz and Jean K. Quam
Jeff Hedlund• and Amy Apperson Dan Hedlund and Robin Preble Carlyle Brown• and Barbara Rose-Brown Paul Eiding
David and Leni Moore Family Foundation Charlyne Hovi• Sarah and Matt Chaplin Scott Elyanow
Peter and Carla• Paulson Family Fund Marlon James Sarah Cooke and Adam Lowe Nancy Finn
Diane and Mark• Perlberg Janet Jones and Rob Reul Mary Dolan Tiffa Foster
The Racciatti Family Fund Miriam and Erwin Kelen Adam Rao and Elizabeth Emery Seth Freeman
Marcia and John Stout Anita Kunin Liz Engelman Robin Gillette
John Sullivan Firouzeh Mostashari Lesley Ferris Carol Grady
Margaret VB Wurtele Wendy Nelson Jeffrey Grover Josh and Pamela Gruber
Kira Obolensky and Irve Dell Kathleen Hansen Rossi and Penelope Snipper
$2,500 - $4,999 George Steitz Ross Johnson Scott Halle
Harrison David Rivers and Christopher R. Bineham Weiser Family Foundation Willard Kitchen Craig Harris and Candy Kuehn
James and Julie Chosy Sally and Jonathan Lebedoff W. Blake and Erin Herron
Geoffrey M. Curley• and Associates $500 - $999 Doug and Mary Logeland Thang and Randy Holt
Fran Davis Elissa Adams and Michael Margulies Karen Hartman and Todd London Harriet Horwitz
Polly Brown Grose Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation. Toni Nebal Bjorklund and Lee Bjorklund Beth MacDonald Jessie Houlihan•
Jodi Grundyson• Jane Blanch Ron and Mary Mattson Robert Hybben
Tessa Gunther and Scott Hagg Susan Conley De Castro Robert and Lucy Mitchell J. Lynn Jackson
Lili Hall and Andrea Scarpa Erika and Nathan Eklund Amy Muse Margaret Johnson
Bruce and Jean Johnson Beth Gaede Amy Noble Seitz Bobbi and Louis Kaplan
Patrick Kennedy Greg Giles and Teresa West Tonja Orr Daisuke Kawachi
Rebecca Krull Kraling• and James Kraling Karen Grabow and Keith Halperin Timothy J. Pabst and Dana Lindsay Martine Kei Green-Rogers
Mr. and Mrs. Chad M. Larsen/Larsen Fund Katie Hey Kendra Plant Mary Louise Klas
Annie Lebedoff• Suzanne Joyce Audray Rees David Koehser and Nancy Dunnigan
Heather and John Leiviska Dr. Art Kaemmer Carl Atiya Swanson and Stacy Schwartz Katherine Kohl
James Empson and Cheryl Olseth Faye Knowles and Douglas Muirhead Jane E Zilch Aaron and Eric Komo
Randall and Gail Ross Jon Newman and Brooks Christensen Laura Zimmermann Neal and Abigail Kreitzer
Mary and Adam Sellke JoAnne Pastel Joseph Kuznik
Mary Anne Ebert and Paul Stembler• James A. Payne $100 - $249 Sigrun Leonhard
Harry Waters, Jr.• and Tom Borrup Charlie Quimby and Susan Cushman Monika Albrecht Seth Levin and Mia Nosanow
Ginger Wilhelmi• Shannon Robinson Howard Ansel Edith Leyasmeyer
Donald and Linda Silpe Karen Bachman and Robert Fisch David Manderson
Merrie and Aaron Sjogren James Ball Jeff Masco
Ed McConaghay and Margaret Telfer Jeannette and Jeffrey Bineham Timothy Mason
THANK YOU DONORS Individuals (contINUEd)
David McNeil $99 & Under Jake Johansen Noël Raymond and Amy Finch
Kelly Miller Valetta Anderson Lauren Johnson Sara Richardson
Patricia Mitchell Linda Anderson Willette and Jan Willette Jaclyn Johnson Julie Robbins
Silas Morgan Mark Armstrong Pat Johnston Cliff Robinette
Sarah Myers Carol Barnett Jeremy Jones Susie Rowland
Rebecca Noon, in honor of Daisuke Kawachi In memory of Susan Barton Mervyn Kaufman Whitney Rowland
Anne L. Paape Angela and George Bernhardt Anne-Lynn Kettles Candyce Rusk
James and Susan Peterson Ann M. Biggar Adeeb Khalid and Cheryl Duncan Christina Saunders
Beth and Wes Pfeifer Kate Brennan Mary T. Kokernot Jill Schafer
Eric Polizer Harriet Chessman Jonna Kosalko and Dan Rabin Kate Schwartz
Barbara Pratt Todd Clasen Jennifer Kranz Maureen Siliman
Denise Prosek and Milton Ferris Marvin Gonzalez De Leon Carson Kreitzer Nancy Simon
Daniel Rech and Nicole DeBace-Rech John DeLaire Jessica Kubzansky Christopher G. Smith
Lawrence Redmond and Eddie Ellington Sheila DeSellier Jim Larson Philip Spensley
Christopher Reeves and MaryAnn Nord Andrew Dominus Carol Lichterman Joseph H Stanley
Melissa and Scott Rockman Denise Dreher Mark Lutwak and Y York Sandra Struthers
Charlene K. Roise Mary Easter Bruce Manning and Tricia Cornell Melissa A. Thone Rn
Erika Schwichtenberg Jill Engeswick Susan Marrash-Minnerly Doug Tiede
Dan and Margaret Shulman Diane Faissler Judy McConnell Andrew Troth
Emily Simon and Nathan Lucero Leigh Flayton Linda McDonald Stephen Troutman
Jerrie Steele Peter Fleck and Mary Weber Chaz Mena Ken Urban
David Odenbach and John Stefany Annette Gavens Lynne Menturweck Ryan Volna
Carol Stoddart Ain Gordon Ellen Merlin Daniel Weiner and Carl Roller
Seema Sueko Donna Gordon Meg Miroshnik Dawn Williams
Virginia Sundberg Judy Goss Lacey Morgan Sarah Woessner
Megan Erlandson and Merritt Swain Rachel Greene and Victor Perazzoli Joseph Moses Robert Young
Elizabeth Thimmesh and Matthew Johnson Janet Allen and Joel Grynheim Miriam Must Jared Zeigler
William Underwood and Christopher Everett Matt Haar Jon Neuse and K.C. Foley Susan Zwickey
Adrian Walker Peter Heeringa Douglas Nopar
Eryn Warne Stephanie Melissande Jennifer and Joe Novak
Wendy Weckwerth John Humphrey Kemi Ojelade
Barbara Weissberger Ivan Idland William Parry
Joan Heule Wright and Jeffrey Wright Walt Jacobs Barb and Rick Person
Scott and Pam Wright Laura Jacqmin Daniel Pinkerton
Laura Zabel and Levi Weinhagen Andrew and Amy Jendrzejewski Shelli Place
Deborah Zanish and Daniel Danielson Rachel Jendrzejewski and Theo Goodell Marilynn Pyatigorets
AMPLIFY VITAL STORYTELLING THROUGH GIVING
Social justice is at the heart of the Playwrights’ Center’s work. We strive for it by actively supporting equitable theater-making practices that shift the paradigm, uplifting unheard stories and
sharing them with the world. With your support, the Center can provide the greatest diversity of artists with the time, tools, and space to tell their truths and reshape audiences’ perspectives.
Make a gift and amplify vital storytellers today! pwcenter.org/donate
STAFF BOARD
THE 2020–21
Carla Paulson, President
Jeremy B. Cohen, Producing Artistic Director
Harrison David Rivers, Vice President FELLOWS AND CORE WRITERS
Robert Chelimsky, Managing Director
Maura Brew, Secretary Kelly Renee Armstrong Sofya Levitsky-Weitz
May Adrales, Artistic Associate
Adam Rao, Treasurer Lee Blessing Nora Montañez
Alayna Barnes, Membership Programs Associate
Jeffrey Bores Sharon Bridgforth Daaimah Mubashshir
Julia Brown, Artistic Programs Manager
Carlyle Brown
Hayley Finn, Associate Artistic Director Carlyle Brown Kira Obolensky
Geoffrey Curley
Martine Kei Green-Rogers, Fellowship Associate Darren Canady John Olive
Karl Gajdusek
H. Adam Harris, Engagement Associate Cristina Florencia Castro Marisela Treviño Orta
Mary Beidler Gearen
Katie Hey, Director of Development Erin Courtney Savannah Reich
Jodi Grundyson
Jasmine Johnson, General Manager Mashuq Mushtaq Deen Stacey Rose
Jeff Hedlund
Hannah Joyce, Director of Membership Programs Emily Feldman Andrew Rosendorf
Jessie Houlihan
Emily Mathees, Executive Staff Administrator
Charlyne Hovi Gina Femia Riti Sachdeva
Sarah Myers, Director of University Programs and Partnerships
Jonathan Jensen Barbara Field Tylie Shider
Daniel Rech, Director of Marketing and Communications
David Kim Gracie Gardner Charly Evon Simpson
Whitney Rowland, Institutional Development Manager
Rebecca Krull Kraling Marvin González De León Crystal Skillman
Teri Schafer, Development Assistant
Annie Lebedoff Jeffrey Hatcher Jonathan Spector
Sonitha Tep, Marketing Communications Graphic and Media Designer
Mark Perlberg Rachel Jendrzejewski Ariel Stess
Kaitlyn Boyer, Artistic and Administrative Apprentice
Christopher Schout Jake Jeppson James Anthony Tyler
Roshni Desai, Artistic and Administrative Apprentice
Leah Spinosa de Vega JuCoby Johnson Katie Ka Vang
Ashe Jaafaru, Artistic and Administrative Apprentice
Cecilia Stanton Adams
Isabella Star LaBlanc, Artistic and Administrative Apprentice Candrice Jones Abbee Warmboe
Paul Stembler
Nicholas Kaidoo Talvin Wilks
Harry Waters Jr.
Shannon TL Kearns Ray Yamanouchi
Ginger Wilhelmi
Keyanna Khatiblou Stefanie Zadravec
Michael Winn
Jeremy B. Cohen, ex officio Kurt Kwan
Robert Chelimsky, ex officioTHEATER BEGINS HERE ARTISTS IN
“Stories give us chances to see ourselves and what we
could hope to be.” CONVERSATION
—2020–21 Jerome Fellow, Candrice Jones Building on our sold-out Public
Discussion series from past seasons,
Artists in Conversation offers a uniquely
intimate look at playwrights and their
We start with the storytellers. process. Unlike the Center’s many
The playwrights. scripted events throughout the year,
these conversations offer audiences a
The artists. chance to connect directly with writers,
hearing artists’ thoughts on craft, the
field, and the world through their own
As we continue to meet the challenges of these unfiltered words. Past conversations
have featured acclaimed theater artists,
times, the Playwrights’ Center seeks to reimagine including Migdalia Cruz, Lisa D'Amour,
what is possible in theater; both in this moment and Daniel Alexander Jones, José Rivera,
and Paula Vogel, among others.
beyond. Throughout our 2020–21 Season we are
intensifying our efforts, investing even more deeply Specific participants, topics,
and dates will be announced
in creative process, arts education, and access to throughout the year.
opportunity. We are working to amplify unheard Stay tuned!
voices and promote equitable spaces, allowing for
the greatest diversity of artists to make plays around
the world. Through additional fellowships and IN THE LAB
increased public programming, we are creating new New worlds require new ways.
And the Playwrights’ Center is stepping up our support
channels of support for thousands of writers—from to meet this moment, launching a brand new online
paid opportunities that will sustain playwrights and development and performance project called In the Lab.
Lab
theatermakers, to expanded educational resources Through this innovative program, three writers will develop
that will enhance online learning tools and connect wildly experimental new works, pushing the boundaries of form
and content, and revolutionizing the way we experience stories.
university students from around the world. We are
inspiring a whole new generation of theater artists. TOMORROW CELL SURFACE VAPOR TRAIL
It all begins here. WILL BE SUNDAY by Dominic Taylor by Ken Urban
by Heather Raffo
Meiyin Wang, Producing Director at The Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center joins Philip Bither, Dates and times to be announced soon.
Join us! McGuire Director and Senior Curator, Performing Arts at Walker Art Center for a sold-out Public Discussion.
Photo by Josh Olson
Visit pwcenter.org for more information.You can also read
