Full Circle

                                                                                                                                                                         photo by Nicolette Vajtay

Funny how some things come full circle.  Just three years ago, playwrights Jeffrey Neuman, Nina Miller and I were standing in line on a cold February afternoon to see one of the readings at Denver Center for the Performing Arts' New Play Summit, kvetching about how the event's Playwrights Slam didn't include any local writers.  Out of the sky, a gigantic lightening bolt blasted into our brains, and Rough Draught Playwrights was born, providing opportunities for Colorado playwrights to connect with peers, actors, directors, producers and theater enthusiasts through informal readings of their scripts in front of live audiences.  Since then, RDP has presented new work from over thirty Colorado playwrights on our stage, many of which have gone on to receive awards, productions, and a notable National New Play Network Rolling Premiere.   

Now we are thrilled to announce that Rough Draught Playwrights will be curating the inaugural Local Playwrights Slam during the local weekend of the 2015 Colorado New Play Summit. The Slam will take place in the Jones Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 14 and is free with the purchase of any $10 Summit reading ticket.  Tickets are on sale now and are going FAST, so purchase your tickets here.

We can't wait to see you at this very special event - come out and support our vibrant Colorado theatrical community!

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Superheroes Takes Off!

Brian Landis Folkins Photography

Come to my play, Superheroes, part of the collaborative work, The Playground, to see what these Real Life Superheroes are talking about...

The Playground runs from November 6 - 22, at the Laundry on Lawrence.   Buy tickets online, or call 720-583-3975.  Date night Wednesday, November 12th - tickets only $11!

Brian Landis Folkins Photography

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The Action is About to Begin...

Do you want to see these people in action?  

Then come see The Playground, an evening of short works set in an average city park where you'll get a benchside view of everyday heroes, star-crossed lovers, shrewd entrepreneurs, interfering angels and overzealous soccer moms! 

Produced by And Toto Too Theatre Company, the show starts off at dawn with a meeting of the Dark Star Patrol from my play Superheroes, and is followed by works from Colorado writers Nina Alice Miller, Rebecca Gorman O'Neill, Carrie Printz, and Nicolette Vajtay.

Opening night is just 3 days away.  Get your tickets today!

The Playground runs from November 6 - 22, at the Laundry on Lawrence.   Buy tickets online, or call 720-583-3975.

About Superheroes:  Real Life Superheroes are average citizens who don masks and assume unique superhero identities to patrol city streets and engage in charitable activities.  The Dark Star Patrol, a fictional group of Real Life Superheroes, has a code of honor when it comes to crime fighting and altruism.  Newcomer Zygote pushes that code to the limits, and in the process, unravels and complicates relationships between friends and lovers at the traditional dawn meeting.

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Cast of Superheroes, from top to bottom, l to r:  Brave Fairy, Omni, Mantis, Confucius, Zygote, Dr. Intelligent

Everyday Heroes Coming to a Theatre Near You!

My newest play, Superheroes, will be featured in an evening of short works called The Playground, produced by And Toto Too Theatre Company in Denver.  The Playground's action takes place over the course of twenty-four hours in a city park, with characters both familiar and uncommon revealing their stories of friendship, love, loyalty and family.   I'll be in the great company of Colorado writers Nina Alice Miller, Rebecca Gorman O'Neill, Carrie Printz, and Nicolette Vajtay for this fascinating evening of comedy and drama.

About Superheroes:  Real Life Superheroes are average citizens who don masks and assume unique superhero identities to patrol city streets and engage in charitable activities.  The Dark Star Patrol, a fictional group of Real Life Superheroes, has a code of honor when it comes to crime fighting and altruism.  Newcomer Zygote pushes that code to the limits, and in the process, unravels and complicates relationships between friends and lovers at the traditional dawn meeting.

The Playground runs from November 6 - 22, at the Laundry on Lawrence.   Buy tickets online, or call 720-583-3975.

Come see this amazing collaboration of writers, directors and actors for a unique evening of theatre you won't want to miss!

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California Dreaming & Getting Dirty

Playwrights Revolution 2014 at Capital Stage Theatre, Sacramento

What a FABULOUS ride having my full-length drama, Orchid Child, in Capital Stage's Playwrights Revolution series.   Superb actors, a wonderful director, an engaged audience, and a welcoming and respectful staff made me want to turn in my round trip ticket and stay a while!   (Besides the fact that wherever you go in northern California terrific food & wine are just the next restaurant away.)  I came back to Colorado inspired and enthused, ready to tackle tweaks and revisions to Orchid Child, and filled with ideas for my current works-in-progress (a full-length play The Dog Park & my multi-media joint-artist series, Play on Words.)

Get Dirty on the Playground!

Just 2 days away, the next Rough Draught Playwrights Theatrical Playground will take place on Wednesday, September 3rd, 7:00 p.m. at The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut Street, Denver.  I can't wait to emcee the new, amped-up version of this event!   We've got Rebecca Gorman and Josh Hartwell as Featured Artists, a preview of a ten-minute play from Red Rocks Community College's Rocky Mountain Short Play Festival, and our get-your-hands-dirty open mic slots for the intrepid.  Come on down and join in the fun with our great local theatre community.

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I'm a Revolutionary!

I'm pleased to announce that my full-length drama, Orchid Child, has been selected to be part of the Playwrights Revolution at Capital Stage Theatre in Sacramento!

In their productions, Capital Stage seeks to "explore the human condition in relation to society and celebrate the participatory process of theatre as equal parts story, performer and live audience," and prides itself on presenting  "bold new works that engage the mind and soul."  They are also part of the National New Play Network, an association of theaters that champions the development and production of new plays.

The Playwrights Revolution takes place the first two weeks in August, with Orchid Child set for performance at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 13th.

I'm honored to be part of this terrific festival, and if you happen to be in Sacramento on August 13th, come on down to 2215 J Street and see my play!

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Colorado Theater, Front & Center

Rough Draught Playwrights has been "busy, busy, busy" (name the two references that could claim this quote - WITHOUT googling - contact me with the correct answer, and you'll get Carl Castle's voice on your answering machine........wouldn't it be great if I could deliver on that?).  We've been exploring ways to put the playwright front and center of new play development, brainstorming ideas to build upon our Open Mic Playground, and connecting with the incredible institutions, groups and individuals in our community that have been working hard to grow our Colorado theatre scene.  

On July 18th, The Dramatists Guild will be making its very first visit to Denver, and, to kick off the weekend, Rough Draught Playwrights is partnering with the Guild to present a Self-Production Primer given by the Guild's Director of Membership, Roland Tec.  Check out the entire itinerary by visiting the Guild's Denver Regional Update page.

As a co-founder and co-producer of RDP, I love being part of a group that keeps shaking it up in my own back yard.  Come on in and play with me!  

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Rough Draught Playwrights Leslie C. Lewis, Jeffrey Neuman, and Nina Alice Miller, thinking big

What a Blast!

If you were at last week's Play Crawl in Denver, you know what I mean.  The entire Tennyson Arts District transformed into a stage for live theatre, patrons and passersby alike, constantly and pleasantly surprised as action unfolding before them morphed into a series of short plays.  

I'd like to make special mention of the outstanding actors in Would You Rather (my contribution to the evening), Terri Simmons and Patricia Wells, who did a masterful job bringing poignancy and immediacy to a bittersweet scene between two friends.  The tears in audience members' eyes reflect the kind of performance they gave.  The director, Michael Emmitt, was completely in tune with the meaning of every word, and his knack for interdisciplinary applications like dance and opera gave the play a wholeness of dimension that made it especially touching.  I am lucky to have worked with such a talented group of theatre professionals!

And finally, thank you impresario and producer Susan Lyles, founder of And Toto Too Theatre Company, for creating and putting together a masterpiece of an evening.  Looking forward to next year! 

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Come Crawl With Me!

Come to And Toto Too Theatre Company's Play Crawl on June 11th, and see the world premiere of my new short play, Would You Rather performed in situ at one of the happening boutiques in Denver's Tennyson Arts District! 

The Play Crawl features 11 short plays in 11 different venues, a mixer, live music and dancing, all to benefit And Toto Too's mission of presenting original new work by women playwrights.

Date:  Wednesday, June 11
Time:  6 p.m. - midnight
Where It Starts:  Oriental Theatre, 4335 W. 44th, Denver
Cost:  $35

For more information on the plays, playwrights, and how it all works, check out The Play Crawl. You can purchase tickets online at Tickets for The Play Crawl or by calling 720-583-3975.

Don't miss this evening of fun and entertainment, bring your friends, and experience the blast of live theatre!

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Come See My New Play June 11th!

Would You Rather, my newest short (okay, VERY short) play, will be featured as part of And Toto Too's annual Play Crawl on June 11th.

The Play Crawl is one of Denver's most fun and anticipated theatrical events of the year, with several original plays occuring in situ at various locations throughout the Tennyson Arts District.  From 6:00 p.m. - midnight, the action starts at the Oriental Theatre and includes a mixer, live music, silent auction and eleven plays.  All proceeds benefit And Toto Too's original productions and world premieres.  

For tickets and information, check out their website or call 720.583.3975.  Come on out and support Denver theatre!