Archive for category News
“The Kissing Consultant” wins praise in South Africa
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Reviews, Uncategorized on October 13, 2012
As previously noted, my one-act “The Kissing Consultant” was produced last year by a school in South Africa — a fact I only recently became aware of. (Sometimes, play publishers take a while in reporting these things.)
I’ve since searched the ‘net and found this brief mention of the show (along with a photo) in The North Eastern Tribune, a South African newspaper.
My script, it seems, was Athlone Girls High School entry in the local one-act competition. The school doesn’t appear to have won, but s0me of the actors were commended individually. Additionally, the paper reported: “The judges commended the play for its character work.”
The script is published by Brooklyn Publishers.
Behind the scenes of “Martian Beach Babes”
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, No Shame Theatre, Photos, Uncategorized on October 9, 2012
Hannah Whitt and Julia Moran in “Martian Beach Babes”
No Shame Theatre, the open mic theatre venue in Roanoke where I try out a lot of new work, recently marked its 9th anniversary in the Star City. To celebrate that, we held a Best of the Best of No Shame Theatre to show off work from nearly a decade of late-night original performance.
No Shame co-founder Todd Ristau asked if I would re-stage “Martian Beach Babes,” a piece I debuted at No Shame in July 2004 and which went on to be produced at New Frontiers Charter School in San Antonio in 2006. It’s not my best piece, by far, but I’ll admit it is visually stunning — two young women in green paint. Technically, it’s a scene about climate change. Demi and Phoebe (Mars experts will recognize them as derivatives of the moons Deimos and Phobos) can’t understand why high tide on Mars isn’t as high as it used to be, and why the sun’s rays seem stronger.
I’ve got another “green” piece — “The Women of Deep Space Pay a Visit To Earth and Don’t Like What They See” (since published by Eldridge Plays and Musicals) — but it needs four women and I only had two.
Hannah Whitt and Julia Moran, two of our regulars (indeed, our outgoing hosts), agreed to green up for the occasion. Here are a few shots of the process back-stage (with even more here on my flickr site): Read the rest of this entry »
Two of my scenes to be reprised in The Best of No Shame
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, No Shame Theatre, Photos, Uncategorized on October 1, 2012
That’s me, before a recent No Shame, with Hannah Whitt and Julia Moran, our hosts, taking the order and handling the best office. As you can see, I’ve been to the frozen yogurt shop. Photo by Todd Ristau.
It’s time for the twice-a-year Best of No Shame Theatre, in which our local open mic theatre venue in Roanoke, Va. showcases some of its best work from the past six months.
This fall’s edition will be Friday, October 5. My entry is “Time for an Upgrade,” a monologue about how a teenage girl blackmails her mother into getting her a new cellphone. It will be performed by Hannah Whitt, who debuted the piece back in July.
This year, we also have a special twist. On Saturday, October 6, we’re doing a Best of The Best of No Shame, featuring pieces from the past nine years in Roanoke — a run-up to next year’s 10th anniversary.
My entry is “Martian Beach Babes,” which will be performed by Hannah Whitt and Julia Moran. It’s about Mars losing its water, a topic now back in the news with Curiosity’s discovery of an ancient streambed on the red planet.
That piece was first done at No Shame back in July 2004, when we weren’t even a year old, and then was produced in 2006 at New Frontiers Charter School in San Antonio, Texas. No Shame producer Todd Ristau asked me to reprise it because it is a visually stunning piece when done with the proper customing. Ideally, I’ll have photos from the performance to show off as proof.
That’s Darelene Fedele, a puppeteer and one of our regulars.
The poster for our 9th anniversary show.
“Klaus” to have staged reading December 16 in Roanoke
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Uncategorized on September 17, 2012
I was thrilled earlier this year when Studio Roanoke announced it was going to produce my show about the origin of Santa Claus as its Christmas show.
Then, I was heartbroken when the black-box theatre in Roanoke closed, leaving “Klaus” (and other plays by fellow playwrights) out in the cold.
Now, I’m thrilled once again to announce that “Klaus” has a new home — as a staged reading as part of the new Discovery Staged Reading Series that the Hollins Playwright’s Lab is starting.
The first reading in the series was Sept. 16; Todd Ristau will be announcing the schedule for the rest of the readings shortly — but I can go ahead and confirm that “Klaus” will be the December offering.
Specifically, Sunday, December 16 at Community High School in the June M. McBroom Theatre (which is a fantastic space in its own right.)
But wait, it gets better. Cheryl Snodgrass is coming in from Chicago to direct the reading. I’ve known Cheryl for a long time, but have never had a chance to work with her. Others in theatre world, though, know her as someone who has directed a lot of other new works, including some by Jeff Goode. Most recently, she directed Jeff’s “The Emancipation of Alabaster McGill” and Samantha Macher’s “The New Girl” at Studio Roanoke.
The full cast isn’t put together yet, but I can further report that Brian O’Sullivan — who most recently directed my show “57 Hours in the House of Culture” at Studio Roanoke — will have the role of Klaus.
Other actors confirmed so far are Martha Boswell, Will Coleman, Drew Dowdy and Blair Peyton — all prominent names in the Roanoke Valley theatre community. More to come.
“Klaus” is a dark comedy that attempts to explain where the Jolly Old Elf actually came from. All I’ll say here is the story begins in the 1700s and involves science fiction, treason against the king, a love story, and some cooking.
Cast: Seven – six male, one female.
Hope to see you there.
“The Fruitcake” to be produced in Nebraska in November
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Uncategorized on September 17, 2012
My most-produced work in a Christmas one-act, “The Fruitcake.”
I recently got word from the publisher (Brooklyn Publishers) that it will be produced at Cedar Rapids Public School in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska on November 19, 2012.
That will be the 34th production of the script — and I have yet to see a single one!
This is the second full production I have scheduled this fall (that I know about). The other is “Macbeth Goes Hollywood,” at a school in Steger, Illinois. (I say “that I know about” because sometimes I don’t hear from publishers until after a show has gone up.)
Here’s a synopsis of “The Fruitcake” and a complete list of the productions:
An extended and quite dysfunction family gathers for a Christmas season tradition — Aunt Hazel’s historically inedible fruitcake. But before she can bring it out, some of the relatives steal the thing and make a bet on whether they can destroy it. Chaos ensues. Characters include a goth-punk teen, a science nerd, a tough-talking ex-Peace Corps worker, a nearsighted aunt, and so forth. Cast: Nine — 2 male, 4 female, 3 non-gender.
√ Hoover Middle School, Indiatlantic, Fla. 2006.
√ Deer Mount Judea, Deer, Arizona, 2006-2007.
√ Parker School, Parker, South Dakota, 2006-2007.
√ Hysham Public Schools, Hysham, Montana, 2006-2007.
√ Reno High School, Reno, Nevada, Feb. 27, 2007.
√ Leonardtown High School, Leonardtown, Maryland, March 1-3, 2007.
√ Sahuaro High School, Tucson, Arizona, April 17, 2007.
√ Admiral Thomas H. Moorer Middle School, Efaula, Alabama, 2007-2008.
√ Pickett County High School, Byrdstown, Tenn., 2007-2008.
√ Clearwater Public School, Clearwater, Nebraska, 2007-2008.
√ Garrison High School, Garrison, North Dakota, 2007-2008.
√ Westside Middle School, Omaha, Nebraska, Dec. 13, 2007.
√ St. Joseph High School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, April 29, 2008.
√ Cedar Park Christian School, Everett, Washington, June 12, 2008.
√ Salem Academy, Winston-Salem, N.C., Dec. 3, 2008.
√ “Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming, Dec. 4, 2008.
√ New Berlin High School, New Berlin, Illinois, Oct. 9, 2009.
√ Captain Shreve High School, Shreveport, Louisiana, Nov. 19, 2009.
√ St. Clair County High School, Odenville, Alabama, Dec. 3, 2009.
√ Ogemaw Heights High School, West Branch, Michigan, Dec. 21, 2009.
√ Lincoln-Way North High School, Frankfort, Ill., March 20, 2010
√ Metter High School, Metter, Georgia, Dec. 2, 2010.
√ Immaculate Heart High School, Tucson, Arizona, Dec. 15, 2010.
√Wahkiakum High School, Cathlamet, Washington, Dec. 29, 2010.
√ Whitehouse High School, Whitehouse, Texas, Dec. 30, 2010.
√ Scotlandville Magnet High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dec. 21, 2010.
√ Chambers Public School, Chambers, Nebraska, Dec. 18, 2010.
√ Dogwood Senior Drama, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Nov. 27, 2011.
√ Churchland High School, Portsmouth, Va., Dec. 1, 2011.
√ MN Players, MN Players, Havertown, Pa., Dec. 2, 2011.
√ McEwen High School, McEwen, Tenn., Dec. 19, 2011.
√ ABO School, Onida, South Dakota, January 2012.
* Scheduled to be produced by Cedar Rapids Public School, Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, Nov. 19, 2012.
“The Kissing Consultant” produced in South Africa
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Uncategorized on September 14, 2012
I often don’t find out about productions of my published plays until long after the fact (when royalty statements come). So what I’m about to report is up to a year old, but still true and fun:
* My one-act “The Kissing Consultant” got produced at a school in Johannesburg, South Africa! Specifically, Athlone Girls High School (not to be confused with Athlone Boys High School, I’ve learned.) So I can add a new country to my list. I’ve now had productions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, The Philippines, Australia, Turkey and now South Africa.
In addition:
* My one-act “The Weird Sisters on Holiday” had its premiere at a high school in Kansas — Anderson County High School, on January, 14, 2011.
* And add on 3 more productions of “Santa Claustrophobia” and 5 more of “The Fruitcake,” both Christmas one-acts. Some of those in Canada!
“The Kissing Consultant,” “The Weird Sisters on Holiday” and “The Fruitcake” are all published by Brooklyn Publishers. “Santa Claustrophobia” is published by Big Dog Plays.
Alas, I’ve never had a chance to see any of these produced.
“Macbeth Goes Hollywood” to be produced on Halloween in Chicago ‘burbs
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Uncategorized on September 8, 2012
A school in Steger, Illinois (southern Chicago suburbs) will produce my one-hour one-act “Macbeth Goes Hollywood” on Halloween (October 31, 2012). It will be the 24th production of that script, which is published by Eldridge Plays & Musicals.
I’m not quite sure which school; the info from the publisher simply says “School District 194” so I’ll have to investigate.
“Yvonne” gets their attention in Portland, Oregon
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Reviews, Uncategorized on August 6, 2012
Post 5 Theatre in Portland, Oregon recently produced two of my short pieces as part of their show called “Death/Sex: Portland,” in which every pieces was about one or the other.
One of my entries dealt with both: “Yvonne’s Worst Fears,” in which a woman is tied up during kinky sex — only to have her partner suffer a heart attack. The other piece was called “Another Reason Why Yvonne Doesn’t Get Asked Out Very Much,” which dealt with a similar theme, just from a different point of view.
The theatre didn’t have any photos to share, but did pass on this account of the show:
“Know that YVONNE’S WORST FEARS opened the show (our lovely Yvonne was tied to a headboard below a podium as the audience filed in, smiling and trying to wave as I did the curtain speech) and kicked off the production beautifully. ANOTHER REASON appeared early in the second act, with the girls drinking cocktails and poor Dave (myself, I couldn’t help it) yelling the same “safe word” from backstage. As soon as the audience saw Yvonne on stage again, I could tell (even from backstage, with my hand in my mouth) that the audience perked up. Thank you for helping to make my first advance into producing such a success.”
Thoughts on the closing of Studio Roanoke
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Uncategorized on July 16, 2012
Studio Roanoke, a black-box theatre in downtown Roanoke, Va. The theatre, which specialized in new works, is closing.
Studio Roanoke, which for three years has put Roanoke on the map as a venue for new plays, is closing. The Roanoke Times has the sad news here.
The theatre’s founder and chief patron, Kenley Smith, is moving to Nashville and plans to sell the building that housed the non-profit community theatre.
Faced with trying to mount a new season with no home and without what is surely its main donor, the board has voted to close.
Sadly, most theatre goers in the Roanoke Valley won’t miss Studio Roanoke, because most of them likely never attended a show there. Roanoke Valley theatre companies such as Showtimers and Attic Productions play to strong houses, but they perform the standards. (Full disclosure: My wife, Trina, is directing one of those standards, “The Sound of Music,” at Attic, opening July 26.) The market for new plays is quite small. Some shows at Studio Roanoke drew well, others did not, but even drawing well meant 30 to 60 people (which was a full house for most stage configurations.) On the other hand, if you look at the 990 tax forms for Studio Roanoke, you’ll see that ticket sales generated nearly $32,000 in 2009 and $28,500 in 2010 (figures for 2011 not posted yet.). With a different business model, you ought to be able to run a non-profit theatre on that kind of revenue. You just can’t do it on ticket revenue alone, though. Read the rest of this entry »
Video: “The Keys to the Universe Next Door”
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized, Video on July 9, 2012
Part 2 of my account of Overnight Sensations 2012, the annual 24-hour play project at Hollins University. (You can find part 1 here, along with background here.)
When I drew “science fiction,” my first thought was to do a baseball play. I figured it’s not what people would expect. However, I did baseball last year, when I drew horror (see “Strong As a Bull,” about baseball and steroids.). Still, I started quizzing the cast on whether they were right-handed or left-handed, just in case.
At that point, I hadn’t had a chance to study the bios of the seven cast members to see what special talents they had. Most of them I knew already. Then director Drew Dowdy whispered into my ear that Becky Marshall was an opera singer. Not just an opera singer, but an adjunct faculty members who teaches the History of Opera at the University of Virginia.
That cinched it. How could I let such a rare and exquisite talent go unused?
So my script dealt with . . . opera.
The basic plot: Twenty years ago, a scientist discovered how to unlock the door to an alternate universe. All it takes is a sonic key, and he used his opera-singing wife to sing the notes that open the door. Problem is, that door slammed shut — with her on the other side, trapped in a horrible alternate universe. Now, he’s trying to find someone with the same, clear voice to sing those same notes so he can rescue her. Hence, “The Keys to the Universe Next Door,” which attempts to channel H.P. Lovecraft.
The script (with help from Drew Dowdy’s expert direction) makes use of Becky’s incredible voice. We see Martha Boswell (who was in my piece last year) on stage, able to see and hear this universe, but with no one able to see or hear her.
The biggest challenge I found was dealing with a 7-person cast. That’s bigger than we’ve had in the past. I had several ideas which I liked but quickly discarded because I didn’t think I could make them work with seven actors. Even in my first draft, one actor had only three lines (I fixed that in the Saturday morning revisions.)
The audio here isn’t the best, but you’ll get the idea, I hope.
Here’s the full cast, and some still photos:
* Professor Arthur Wellington: Michael Mansfield
* Theodora, his daughter: Theano Mavroidis
* Martha, his wife: Martha Boswell
* Mrs. Marshall, an opera singer: Becky Marshall
* Cassandra, her daughter, and an aspiring opera singer: Emma Sala
* Agent One, a mysterious federal agent: Jason Burton
* Agent Two, equally mysterious: Blair Peyton
Becky Marshall and Emma Sala
Michael Mansfield, center, flanked by Blair Peyton (left) and Jason Burton (right)
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