How a Play Comes Alive

We have walls today. Wedding china, too. As I enter the theatre, I feel a rush of excitement, as I do before every rehearsal. More elements are in place, the show is more alive than it was yesterday. Tomorrow, it will be richer still. Opening night approaches fast. 

It’s terrifying. But it’s the best kind of terror, like reaching the highest point of a roller coaster, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be strapped in for the ride. 

Bringing The Company We Keep from page to production has been an incredible journey. What began as a writing exercise last March soon became a full-length play and my constant companion for the last six months. Five drafts later, the play feels ready to be on its feet, in front of an audience. Which is good, because we open in a week. 

None of this would happen, of course, without BPT’s commitment to advancing new plays. I am grateful for the support system that has surrounded Company since its inception. From its early days in Melinda’s workshop, this script has found unwavering guidance and encouragement from Kate, Melinda, Ronan, and Richard; from my fellow playwrights, Michael, MJ and Rick; and from other trusted theater artists. The rehearsal process expanded the circle to include a tremendous production team, each of them working to champion the play.

30th Anniversary Season Announced!

Pictured: Ramona Lisa Alexander in Derek Walcott’s Ti-Jean & His Brothers

Photo by A.R. Sinclair Photography

Boston Playwrights’ Theatre continues its 30^th Anniversary season by presenting, in collaboration with Suffolk University, Robert Brustein’s Mortal Terror at the newly re-opened Modern Theatre at Suffolk University. National Medal of Arts winner Robert Brustein brings the spirit of William Shakespeare back to the stage in his imaginative story of political upheaval set during the ignition of the Gunpowder Plot. Featuring Stafford Clark-Price as William Shakespeare, together with Ken Cheeseman, Michael Hammond, Jeremiah Kissel, John Kuntz, Georgia Lyman, Christopher James Webb and directed by Daniela Varon.

Click here to purchase tickets.

The second and third new works celebrated in Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s 30^th Anniversary season feature two recent graduates of Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s MFA Playwriting Program.

In a suspenseful showdown between the old and new guard, The Farm by Walt McGough examines a profession where no one can be trusted. Directed by Elliot Norton Award-winner David R. Gammons and featuring Nael Nacer and Lindsey McWorter, “the farm” is the last place you want to get caught off guard.

The Other BPT Employees

Just thought I'd give a quick shout out to all the people that make Boston Playwrights' Theatre run so smoothly. I'm not talking about Kate or Jake or Marc, I'm talking about the work-study students, interns, graduate students and alumni that help us run everything from paying actors to folding programs to writing parts of THIS VERY BLOG!

As you may or may not know Boston Playwrights' Theatre is part of Boston University and as such reaps the benefit of having student employees. Without the work-study program the box office would not run, no one would get paid and I think Jake would probably spiral into a paperwork-induced manic state.

The interns are another bunch altogether. They don't even get paid! They are the individuals responsible for the yearly donor party, fundraising letters and copying about a thousand scripts a semester. I once made an intern deliver posters to every Indian restaurant in Cambridge—I have no shame.

Finally, our alumni and graduate students. Not only are these individuals some of the most talented playwrights I've ever met, but they take classes, work the box office, props, stage running, and like I mentioned before a few of our more outstanding graduates even help write this blog. They are multitasking mega-people.

So, here's to you people. Boston Playwrights' Theatre would not be able to run without you. Our thanks and continued gratitude.