The challenge: Not to be shy about Chi

Okay, I admit it: I’m a little shy when it comes to self-promotion. I don’t send out mass e-mails. I don’t Facebook. And you certainly won’t catch me tweeting about anything.

Why is it that the prospect of promoting my own work feels obnoxious somehow, yet I’m always interested in what other people are doing and never consider them obnoxious when they talk about it? [And on that note, fellow BPT alums, don’t forget to send me your news so we can write about it in this space.] 

Last Sunday, at the Dramatists Guild’s Town Hall in Boston, Executive Director of Creative Affairs Gary Garrison spoke of the importance of being able to talk about ourselves and our work. Gary gave the example of two friends of his, both excellent actors. One never shies from talking about herself, the projects she’s working on, and as a result ends up forging tons of connections with all kinds of people. The other – an equally excellent performer, mind you – is much quieter, and prefers to just audition and hope for the best. “Guess who gets more work?” Gary asked us. Or, was he talking to me? Ugh.

Clearly, I’m going to have to figure all this out if I plan to stick with this playwriting gig. So, with all this in mind,  here goes:

My newest short play, Jinxed, is included in LiveWire Chicago Theatre’s VisionFest 3: Feast, which continues this weekend. I’m excited about it because: 

1. Jinxed is a twisted and silly play that seems to be weaseling me into new territory, for example…
2. This is my first production in Chicago.
3. My director (also a Georgia native, like me) and the company have been great to work with...and they're fun.

And of course, as a contributor here, I gamely answered questions for their blog, too. Any Chicago readers out there, come check it out.

There – I did it. Whew. Just don’t make me write about myself again next week, okay?  ;)