Posts Tagged royalty-free plays
Fan mail from New Jersey
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Reviews, Uncategorized on January 24, 2017
Today, I got this fan mail from an actress in New Jersey who recently appeared in one of my plays:
“I am playing Lois in “Catch of the Day” at Old Library Theatre in Fair Lawn, NJ and it has been such a great experience. So many of the things in this are really wonderful (I especially enjoy doing the telephone scene and the part where Edwin and I are nose to nose arguing over the poison fish) and the audience is laughing (of course not always in the same places). This afternoon is our last performance but I just wanted to let you know that I am so happy you wrote such a fun, relatable piece to perform.”
More feedback here.
Photos from “The Cactus Rustlers”
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on January 19, 2017
Kelli Hobson (left) and Emma Sala (right) are the titular cactus rustlers.
I held a staged reading of my new comedy, THE CACTUS RUSTLERS, at Showtimers in Roanoke, Virginia on January 14, 2017.
Here’s some of the feedback I got:
“This thing is a hoot!”
— Brian L.
“This play was great fun! It reminded me of the wonderful Greater Tuna plays about West Texas, only with more actors. We definitely left smiling.”
— Diana C.
“Hilarious story.”
— Rebecca G.
THE CACTUS RUSTLERS
Two young women are bored with their lives and wish they were living in the Old West. They read a newspaper story about how there’s a lucrative black market for cacti, and so set off to become cactus rustlers. Adventure ensues, which includes a space alien. Cast: 12 – 7 female, 5 male.
Here’s what it looked like: Read the rest of this entry »
Video of “The Recruiter” in Houston
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Uncategorized, Video on January 17, 2017
My five-minute piece THE RECRUITER was produced in Houston Nov. 9-19, 2016 as part of the 2016 Five Minute Mile Play Festival by Cone Man Running Productions at the Obsidian Theatre. Here’s the video. Earlier I posted some rehearsal photos.
THE RECRUITER
A scene about gender discrimination in college sports. A college recruiter shows up at a rural school asking about a particular football player; oblivious to the softball player banging home runs in batting practice. Cast: Two adult males, one teenage girl.
This is a stand-alone piece, but it’s also part of a collection of short pieces about baseball that make up my full-length play PLAY BALL! Some other individual pieces of that have been produced, as well — “Sunset in North Dakota” and “Deep Into October.”
Photo from “Svetlana’s First Christmas Away From Home”
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on December 7, 2016
The cast of SVETLANA’S FIRST CHRISTMAS AWAY FROM HOME.
Back in the summer, I was corresponding with a direction at Victorian Players in Youngstown, Ohio. He was looking for a Christmas script, with some very specific needs. He needed a cast of about 20, with mostly kids. I didn’t have anything like that, so I told him if he gave me a few weeks, I’d write one. So I did. The result was SVETLANA’S FIRST CHRISTMAS AWAY FROM HOME. Here’s a photo from its premiere.
It looks like it’s going to be popular because it’s already been booked at a theatre in Texas for next Christmas.
SVETLANA’S FIRST CHRISTMAS AWAY FROM HOME
A last-minute substitute attempts to preside over a Christmas pageant, which has devolved into chaos – unruly kids, a pushy parent, a church busybody, a kitchen on fire. And then there’s the foreign exchange student, who’s supposed to be the angel, who is in the restroom in tears because it’s her first Christmas away from home. Then something unexpected happens. Cast: 21 – 6 adults (four female, one male, one non-gender), 7 teenagers (five female, two male), 8 early teens or pre-teens (one female, seven non-gender.)
* Produced by Victorian Players, Youngstown, Ohio, December 2016.
* Scheduled to be produced by Red River Revue, Clarksville, Texas, December 2017.
What people say about my work
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Reviews, Uncategorized on December 7, 2016
Here’s an updated list of some of the critical feedback I’ve gotten about my work — from critics, directors, and audience members on three different continents.
“I laughed so much I was sore the next day.” That’s what one patron in New Jersey had to say.
“One of the most hilarious shows we’ve done.” That’s from the director at a theatre in Ohio that produced one of my scripts.
“All-around brilliance . . . Dwayne Yancey wrote a genuinely witty and sharp script.” That’s what a theatre critic in Great Britain had to say about one of my shows.
“Blood-curdlingly amazing.” That’s what one critic in Australia had to say of a show I had there.
“Beautifully structured, fascinating, and vaguely dangerous.” That’s how one New York actor described my work.
“To be honest, each time I’d open up a play and see your name attached to it, I’d get excited. You are quite a talent.” That’s what the director of a play festival in Michigan had to say.
“Zombie Christmas was an audience favorite! Your sense of humor is deadly (if I may), and people were laughing out loud at all the right spots.” That’s what the director of a play festival in Illinois had to say about my short Christmas play “A Zombie Christmas.”
“It was heartbreaking . . . I was crying through most of the show. It absolutely is a compliment that I found it heartbreaking . . . People must be carefully guided to open their hearts to new ideas. And I think your scripts do that.” That’s what an audience member in Ohio had to say about one of my dramas.
“So many of the things in this are really wonderful . . . and the audience is laughing . . . This afternoon is our last performance but I just wanted to let you know that I am so happy you wrote such a fun, relatable piece to perform.” That’s what an actress in New Jersey had to say about “Catch of the Day.”
“Loved ‘The Recruiter.’ It was a very thoughtful piece and I’m glad we were able to include it.” That’s what a producer in Houston had to say about one of my short pieces.
“It’s a brilliant script.” That’s what a director in the United Kingdom had to say.
“Your play was my favorite.” That’s what an audience member who saw my work in a 10-minute play festival posted.
“Your piece is stunning.” — producer of “The Cellphones of the Dead” In Washington
“I had multiple people approach me after and say how moved they were by your play.” — producer of “The Cellphones of the Dead” In Washington
“It’s one of the more moving pieces for me”— actor in producer of “The Cellphones of the Dead” In Washington
“The script is funny and endearing and the kids loved it.” — Lauren Hous, director of world premiere of RHONDA’S HIGH-CLASS ROADKILL CHILI in Illinois.
“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!” — Director Jeannie Lorimor, Mills Masquers Theatre in Glenwood, Iowa
Photos from “The Money House” in Los Angeles
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on November 17, 2016
The Money House.
Readers Repertory Theatre in Los Angeles held a staged reading of my one-act THE MONEY HOUSE in October.
Gloria Maxwell played Ginger, Jim Jones played Jeremy, and Jane Jones played Samantha. Directed by Jean Alden.
Photos from “The Recruiter” in Houston
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on November 12, 2016
The recruiter talks with the football coach, oblivious to the softball phenom.
My five-minute piece THE RECRUITER is being produced in Houston Nov. 9-19 as part of the 2016 Five Minute Mile Play Festival by Cone Man Running Productions at the Obsidian Theatre. Here are some photos.
THE RECRUITER
A scene about gender discrimination in college sports. A college recruiter shows up at a rural school asking about a particular football player; oblivious to the softball player banging home runs in batting practice. Cast: Two adult males, one teenage girl.
This is also one of the short scenes in PLAY BALL!, a full-length collection of short baseball scenes. Read the rest of this entry »
More photos from “Catch of the Day” in Michigan
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on November 11, 2016
The cast of CATCH OF THE DAY.
Here are some photos from my one-act CATCH OF THE DAY, which was produced at Michigan State University Nov. 3-6.
You can see the whole photo gallery here.
Earlier the director sent me this promo video and rehearsal photos.
CATCH OF THE DAY
A nervous mother is preparing to entertain her daughter and the daughter’s new boyfriend. She’s eager for the match to succeed. She’s instructed her husband to pick up some fish on the way home for dinner; he mistakenly acquires a fugu, a type of fish prized as a delicacy in Japan — but which is also highly poisonous, if improperly prepared. Naturally, the woman succeeds in poisoning the daughter and her boyfriend — sending them into a trance. Comedy ensues, while the pair are frozen in position through part of the play. Cast: Two males, two females. Running time: 30 minutes.
* Staged reading as a radio play by Falcon Radio Theatre, Seattle, Washington, April 23, 2013.
“Jill And the Beanstalk” to be produced in Virginia
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Photos, Productions, Uncategorized on November 11, 2016
The beanstalk takes shape.
Yes, that’s a beanstalk, the starring prop of my one-act JILL AND THE BEANSTALK, which will be produced in December by Patrick Henry Community College in Virginia.
Shows will be Saturday, December 3 at 11 a.m. at Patrick Henry’s Stuart campus. A second show will be Wednesday, December 7 at 3:45 p.m. for after-school students at Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School.
This will be the first production of the script, which previously had a staged reading in Indiana.
JILL AND THE BEANSTALK
Jill’s science project results in a beanstalk through the school’s ceiling. Comedy and chaos ensue, along with a goose that lays golden eggs, a harp that plays itself and, perhaps, even a rumor of a giant. Cast: Seven — 3 male, 3 female, 1 non-gender. Running time: Twenty minutes.
* Staged reading by Mitchell Community Public Library, Mitchell, Indiana, February 2016.
Here’s an updated list of 2016 productions: Read the rest of this entry »
Photo from my short play in Ireland
Posted by Dwayne Yancey in News, Productions, Uncategorized on November 8, 2016
George Hynes in “A Chalkboard Scribbled in Blood.” Photo by Catriona Bonner.
George Hynes, again.
My one-minute play A CHALKBOARD SCRIBBLED IN BLOOD was performed Nov. 6-9 by Rabbit’s Riot Theatre in Ireland, with three shows in Slingo and one in Manorhamilton.
Here’s George Hynes in action in my very dark piece inspired by the Sandy Hook school shooting.
The theatre sent this word: “It went fantastic! Got amazing audience feedback! Thank you for writing such a moving piece!”
dwayneyancey 