Hey Playwright

Tori and Mabelle talk with playwright, librettist, screenwriter and educator, Kristoffer Diaz. Kristoffer discusses various works including his Pulitzer-prize finalist play, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Football Football Football and Going Left, as well as his adaption of RENT for Fox and writing for Netflix's GLOW. Other topics include the democratization of theatre, the importance of industry relationships and “chasing the churn.”

Tori and Mabelle talk with playwright and educator, Guillermo Reyes, about his play, “That Day in Tucson,” which centers on Daniel Hernandez Jr., the young man credited with saving congresswoman Gabby Giffords’s life when a man opened fire on a crowd hitting 19 people and killing six. Guillermo reveals the challenges and triumphs of dramatizing a real-life event and discusses his upcoming streaming performances of “Men on the Verge of a His-panic Breakdown” and his new musical, “Hit Music.”

Tori and Mabelle talk with educator and TYA playwright, Starry Krueger, about the Imaginary Theater Company, her pivot to teaching and producing online theatre, and the importance of art as a tool for catharsis and empathy.

It's a two-for-one episode! In the spirit of the 2021 Plays By Young Writers Festival, Tori and Mabelle talk with Jordan Marie Finley, two-time winner of Playwrights Project’s annual California Young Playwrights Contest. Jordan shares her journey into playwriting and the inspiration for her plays, as well as how a twitter post led to front row tix to Elton John; her most liked tiktok featuring a WB actor and her appearance on Michelle Obama’s Twitter feed. THEN, Cecelia Kouma, Executive Director of Playwrights Project, joins the show to discuss her 20+ years with the organization; the evolution of the Plays by Young Writers festival; and her development of the Community Storytelling programs. 

Tori and Mabelle talk with Cygnet Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director, accomplished theatre-maker and all-around beautiful human being, Robby Lutfy. Robby shares his approach to reading plays through multiple judgement-free reads using his *vomit writing* free-writes to lift the rocks created by the playwright. Robby discusses wrestling with his own artistic mission statement by taking the theatre to couples counseling; the importance of giving young people agency in the theatre; and for theatres to rise post-pandemic more equitable and inclusive to create bridges of empathy. His writing prompt involves self-reflection to build empathy.

Tori and Mabelle host the V-Minute Valentines festival celebrating the work of nine playwrights from around the world who submitted their 5-minute masterpieces to the Valentine-inspired Hey Playwright short play festival.

Tori and Mabelle talk with triple threat actress, playwright and teaching artist, Aleta Barthell. Aleta reveals how she connects historical moments with current events through magical realism in her plays Window of Shame (Finalist, 2020 National Playwrights Conference, O’Neill Theater Center; Finalist, HUMANITAS/CTG Playwriting Prize), Walking Down the Corn, and Night Witches: Flight Into Fantasy. Aleta also introduces the writing ribbon and the important link between movement and creativity.

Tori and Mabelle talk with the multi-talented powerhouse, Colette Freedman. Colette shares her journey from her first 10-minute play to internationally produced playwright, and the value of writing with passion and the intention to get your work out in the world (and off of the computer!). She also drops advice that led to her successful career as an award-winning novelist, teaching artist and script doctor, inspiring listeners to avoid the career pigeonhole trap. She leaves us with a sustainable prompt for 365 days a year and reminds us to be kind and go create something!

Season 2 is here! Tori and Mabelle dive into Season 2 with a check-in of their 90-Day Play experiment, shoes as the dangling carrot for finishing pages, favorite love stories, AND an invitation to submit to the next Hey Playwright contest, V-Minute Valentines!

Tori and Mabelle round out their 12-episode season with a cornucopia of topics including: upcoming writing projects; the joy of smooth writing utensils; dislodging constipated gel pens; a seasonal asking for a friend; and an invitation to journey with them on their “The 90-Day Play” adventure inspired by Linda Walsh Jenkins’s book. This week’s writing prompt invites you to peek back at the past (from the future!).