Archive for category News
Praise for The American Experiment’ from a New York theatre
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Reviews on January 3, 2020
This came in the form of a rejection notice, but a very happy one, from a New York theatre:
“We so appreciated its arresting theatrical premise, thoughtful character work, and head-on engagement with urgent contemporary crises.”
Ultimately, though, THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT was deemed not the right fit for that particular company. It happens. But the company didn’t need to say anything, much less such nice words.
Praise for ‘The Christmas Goat’ from a UK producer
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Reviews, Uncategorized on January 3, 2020
The Ambassadors, a theatre company in London, included my 10-minute play THE CHRISTMAS GOAT as a staged reading in its December event at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London. Producer Graham Hill sends these kind words:
“So many people came up to me afterwards and commented on how much they’d enjoyed the piece and how funny and engaging your writing was. The thing I personally love about your writing is that you don’t approach ideas and themes from the obvious angle and I think this is what hooks the audience so quickly.”
Week 3 of ‘Exchange of Gifts touring show
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on December 27, 2019
My first self-produced show is now history. The Christmas show EXCHANGE OF GIFTS played nine shows in different different locations up and down western Virginia in December 2019. Here are photos from week 3 — which saw the show in Bedford at the Bower Center for the Arts, in Axton at Mountain Valley Brewing and the finale in Lynchburg at Riverviews Artspace. Next up: EXCHANGE OF GIFTS will be published in 2020 by Norman Maine / Big Dog Plays.
In Bedford: Svetlana shows Tilly what she’s found.
Axton: A very intimate space, and a dog in the audience.
Lynchburg: Stuck in the airport one last time.
MORE ON EXCHANGE OF GIFTS:
* Photos from week 2 in Critz, Monterey and Clifton Forge
* Photos from week 1 in Roanoke, Galax and Blacksburg
* Interview with Alleghany Mountain Radio
* Full tour schedule and ticket info.
* Behind the scenes of the publicity photos.
* Rehearsals begin
Photos from ‘God and the Devil Meet for a Business Lunch’ in California
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on December 17, 2019
My 10-minute play GOD AND THE DEVIL MEET FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH was produced Dec. 13-14 at American River College in Sacramento, California, directed by Zachariah Mejia.
God, the waitress, the devil. Or so I assume!
Definitely no waitress here.
Pretty sure that’s the devil on the left.
MORE FROM THE GOD AND THE DEVIL SERIES . . .
Want to see more?
* Here’s video of a group in Sacramento, California doing the same piece in 2005.
* Here’s audio from when Falcon Radio Theatre in Seattle did the script in 2013.
* Video: “God and the Devil Settle a Contract Dispute”
* Video: “God and the Devil Debate The Issues”
* GOD AND THE DEVIL MEET FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH by the Lake Players, Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, 2014.
Photos from ‘Father Christmas’ in Oklahoma
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions on December 17, 2019
The cast
The show.
The Snyder Drama Club at Snyder Schools in Snyder, Oklahoma produced my 10-minute play FATHER CHRISTMAS on Dec. 11 with another show on Dec. 18. Here are photos from director Micah Baker. More below. Read the rest of this entry »
‘Your play is terrific!”
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Reviews, Uncategorized on December 12, 2019
Fellow playwright Melinda Gros recently attended the Quannapowitt Players Suburban Holidays festival in Reading, Massachusetts where my one-act THE GIRL WHO MADE EMUS BELIEVE THEY COULD FLY was produced Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1, 5-7, 2019. She sends this happy message:
“I saw the production this weekend – the company did a very nice job – and your play is terrific! I don’t know much about emus, but the actors made them very avian and hysterical, especially the ballet-dancing emu. Congrats!”
Poster for ‘A Zombie Christmas’ in Richmond, Virginia
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Uncategorized on December 12, 2019
Chesterfield Children’s Theatre in suburban Richmond, Virginia will present my 10-minute piece A ZOMBIE CHRISTMAS on Dec. 13, 2019 as part of several other works. Here are the promotional images. The show, by the way, is sold out.
Photos from ‘Let There Be Lights!’ in Iowa
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions on December 12, 2019
Mills Masquers Theatre in Glenwood, Iowa produced my one-act LET THERE BE LIGHTS! on Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 2019. Director Jeannie Lorimor sends this message and these photos: “We had an amazing turn out Friday and Saturday and we sold out our theater Sunday night! The kids did amazing! And I heard so many compliments on “Let there be Lights” The audience ate it up! One more weekend of shows to go. Friday and Saturday this week we still have seats but Sunday is filling up again and will most likely sell out again! Thank you for writing such an amazing piece! It has been a blast to direct!” You can find the full gallery here.
A cheerleader!
Sunglasses required.
Fancy dress.
MORE FROM LET THERE BE LIGHTS!:
* Otto-Eldred High School in Duke Center, Pennsylvania, Dec. 2018.
* Liberty High School, Liberty, Texas, Dec. 2017.
* Seton Hall University, New Jersey, 2015.
Week 1 of ‘Exchange of Gifts’ touring show
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions on December 10, 2019
My touring production of my Christmas show EXCHANGE OF GIFTS opened Dec. 6 in Roanoke at Theatre 3, then moved on to the historic Rex Theatre in Galax on Dec. 7 and then Beliveau Estate outside Blacksburg on Dec. 8. Despite a late casting change, the show came off without a hitch! Three shows down, six to go! Shout-out to director Kerry Plank and the cast of Kaiya Hoagland, Kelly Hoagland and Lyndsey Hanks.
Opening night in Roanoke. From left: Kaiya Hoagland, Kelly Hoagland and Lyndsey Hanks.
On the marquee in Galax
On stage in Galax.
Appreciative fans stick around to talk to the cast after the Galax show.
Walking through the snow in Blacksburg. Well, imaginary snow.
MORE ON EXCHANGE OF GIFTS:
* Interview with Alleghany Mountain Radio
* Full tour schedule and ticket info.
* Behind the scenes of the publicity photos.
* Rehearsals begin
World premiere of ‘Rhonda’s High-Class Roadkill Chili’
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on December 4, 2019
My full-length script RHONDA’S HIGH-CLASS ROADKILL CHILI had its world premiere Nov. 22-23 at Salt Fork High School in Catlin, Illinois. It’s the ninth full-length script I’ve had produced. Director Lauren Hous shares these photos. She writes: “The script is funny and endearing and the kids loved it.” The show first came to life in a staged reading at Showtimers in 2016 and then was published earlier this year by Norman Maine / Big Dog Plays. Rights info here.
51Hunter and his map.
Zeke and 51Hunter meet.
Pay no attention to the woman with the sledgehammer.
The piece de resistance.
