Playwrights Local is pleased to announce our 2016-2017 season, our second as Cleveland’s only home for all-new, locally written work. Highlights include three world premieres, two festivals, and playwriting workshops that are free and open to the public!
This year’s playwrights include newcomers to the company Amy Schwabauer, Lisa Langford, and Michael Oatman. Additional writers selected for readings and development projects will be announced as the season unfolds.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
Objectively/Reasonable:
A Community Response to the Shooting of Tamir Rice, 11/22/14
Written by Playwrights Local
Directed by Terrence Spivey
Conception and dramaturgy by David Todd
A documentary play on the impact and aftermath of the Tamir Rice shooting, expressing unheard voices from the Cudell neighborhood and Greater Cleveland. Created by an ensemble of playwrights: Mike Geither, Tom Hayes, Lisa Langford, Michael Oatman, and David Todd.
NOVEMBER 2016
The 2nd Annual Cleveland Playwrights Festival
A weekend event featuring staged readings of plays, free workshop-style classes, audience feedback sessions, professional development seminars, and post-show gatherings.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
This is NOT About My Dead Dog
Written by Amy Schwabauer
Directed by Dale Heinen
A comedic one-woman show in which playwright and performer Amy Schwabauer explores the lifespan of dogs, the behavior of aquatic life, the challenges of being a young adult who loves to party, and the struggles of leaving childhood behind.
MARCH 2017
The Mac Wellman Homecoming Festival
A three-day celebration of groundbreaking Cleveland-born playwright Mac Wellman, widely recognized as among the most influential figures of the Off-Off-Broadway era. Features Playwrights Local’s production of Bitter Bierce (directed by Christopher Johnston) and the presence of the playwright himself! Presented in partnership with Cleveland State University’s Department of English and the NEOMFA Creative Writing Program, and including performances by convergence-continuum, Baldwin Wallace University Theatre & Dance, CSU Theatre & Dance, and Theater Ninjas.
APRIL 2017
2017 Play Lab + Spring Workshops
A series of staged readings, classes, receptions, and special sessions presented at the conclusion of Playwrights Local’s second annual new-play incubator program.
MAY/JUNE 2017
Things as They Are
Written by David Todd
Original score composed by Ben Chasny
Directed by Anjanette Hall
A play-with-music on American poet and insurance executive Wallace Stevens (1879-1955), featuring an all-new score written and performed by Ben Chasny, who records for the Drag City label as Six Organs of Admittance. A collage of scenes, poems, movement, and original compositions.
