UPCOMING EVENTS
KINK – by Matt Garland
In this flirt-filled, song-soused rom com, a group of young tech workers are assembled for a project at a start-up. After work, the co-workers get acquainted at a nearby club. When the dancers at the club pull them into drunken improv, connections are made and kinks explored. But can everyone’s kinks be aligned? And can the project withstand the inevitable turbulence?
PAST EVENTS
EVERYWOMAN and CLONING THE COLONEL – by Louise Wynn
Two plays by Louise Wynn explore the nature of death and immortality. Everywoman: Nora, helped by God, Death and Time, has a chance to confront her past and prepare for what comes next. What will she say to her ex-husband, her daughter, and a former boss? And who will comfort her as she faces death? Cloning the Colonel: He wants to be remembered forever, even though most of the people around him wish to forget him—or maybe even see the end of him. But when the colonel arranges for three clones to be created, will this help or hinder his legacy? And, more importantly, can his clones turn out better than him?
THE ROOSEVELTS’ WOMEN – by Tom Mason
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s personal relationships took place against a background of two world wars, the Great Depression and Franklin’s debilitating disease which keep him in a wheelchair from 1921 to his death. Only recently have both his and her relationships with other women been exposed candidly. The Roosevelts’ Women is a snapshot of a past reality based upon known historical incidents and happenings, a drama in which the Roosevelts and their women come alive.
He has been called spiritually incorrect, the sex guru, Bhagwan, and master of masters. He was wanted by the U.S. Attorney and the government. Countless accounts of his influence on his followers, and development of Rajneeshpuram have been detailed. The legal system of Oregon, his followers and detractors, and former assistant Ma Anand Sheela have all spoken at length about him. Now, on the 30th anniversary of Osho’s ultimate transcendence, leaving the physical body to unite with the galaxy, his soul and personhood begins once more to replicate. Taking refuge in a local actor, Osho will return once more to speak of his life and his truth.
THE INTELLIGENT WOMAN’S GUIDE TO SOCIALISM – by Maria Choban and Brett Campbell
A comedy about free love, free money, and the world’s best known actress, novelist, and journalist all trying to come together to create a more equal society — in 1906.
FIFTH TUESDAY WORKSHOP: “I GOT A SONG FOR THAT!” – by Alan Alexander III
“What’s the difference between a play and a musical? What are the different types of musical theater? What is the 11 o’clock song?” Composer and playwright Alan Alexander III will attempt to unlock these and other mysteries of musical theater in this workshop, “I Got a Song for That!” We will discuss some of the basic rules of musical theater (all of which are meant to be broken). You might even come up with titles for songs that could work in your play, if the characters were singers!
CATGUT — by Jae Carlsson
Ginger is an ambitious professional woman with her future all mapped out — except for one problem: her husband. Ringo is a former tennis bum and now the public-relations face of a medical research outfit, but he still likes to play games. And between them sits an antique doctor’s bag which may have belonged to Jack the Ripper.
PDXP FERTILE GROUND CO-PRODUCERS “BOOT CAMP” – by Gary Corbin
Are you co-producing or directing a show with PDXP in this year’s Fertile Ground Festival, or have a desire to get involved this year or next? Then our “PDXP Fertile Ground Boot Camp”* is for you! The session will be held October 8, 2019 at our usual spot at Portland Center Stage. Co-producers and directors, please do everything you can to be there – we’ll cover a LOT of very important stuff, like:
- Roles/responsibilities of the Co-producer (including volunteering), PDXP, and the Fertile Ground Festival Committee
- The Venue, House management, show logistics
- Finding a director and cast (for those who haven’t done this already)
- Tech expectations
- Rehearsal planning (venues, number, etc.)
- Photos/graphics
- PR/promotion of your show
- Final review of your show “blurb” in the FG program
- Budget (expenses and revenue projection)
- Q&A
.
OCTOBER 1, 2019
FUTURE PERFECT – by Adam Harrell
Mitch, a mentally unstable astrophysics student, encounters a cosmic glitch when he meets a version of himself from the near future where he has apparently taken his own life. With the help of Hyde, the owner and proprietor of the college-town bar he finds himself trapped in, Mitch and his future self search for a way to avoid his demise and prevent the universe itself from tearing apart at the seams.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
FLY AWAY, BREATH – by Karen Polinsky
Hope dawns in the lost town of Seep, Ohio, when the old coal mine is reopened. That is, until vampirish happenings begin to interfere with the Brighter Day political marketing campaign…
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
SONS (AND DAUGHTERS) OF THE JET – by John McDonald
In a not so far-flung dystopian future filled with nuclear families and robotic households, how can you find what is real? When your worth is tied to a family that’s spiraling out of control and always on the grid, how do you cope? Maybe the answer for the Turbane family is that you don’t.
This one-act play will be followed by the reading of a short play:
THE CURSE – by Brad Bolchunos
A dispute about misfortune and misplaced affection takes a dark turn with the arrival of an unexpected visitor.
AUGUST 20, 2019
THEIR LITTLE WINNING STREAKS – by Margie Boulé
Five women in one penthouse condo, related in all the wrong ways: the first wife, the second wife, the third wife, the daughter, and a woman who is not what she seems. Based on real life.
AUGUST 6, 2019
THE TRIALS OF VIRGINIA RAPPE – by Tamar Shai Bolkvadze
In 1921 a young actress named Virginia Rappe died in the hotel room of silent screen star, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. This is their trial.
JULY 30, 2019
FIFTH TUESDAY WORKSHOP: SUBMISSION MISSION – by Lindsay Partain
Congratulations! You have a completed play! … Now what? Submissions can be a scary word, but not to worry — playwright Lindsay Partain is here to walk you through the process and answer your questions, from “where do I look?” to “how do I write a cover letter?” She’ll introduce different submission resources, templates, and hacks to make the submission process faster and easier, so you can focus on the work that really matters.
JULY 16, 2019
A DUET OF ONE-ACTS – plays by Paul K. Smith and Jae Carlsson
SARAH’S RAPTURE – by Paul K. Smith
A young scholar finds “wondrous joy” from her discovery of an extinct genre from the time of King Arthur. It becomes her Rosetta Stone to explain mysteries that have baffled others. But she finds herself in a race against time to complete her work, to find fulfillment, and provide meaning to others based on what she finds and explicates: a light from the Dark Ages that will help them shed their despair. If she just had more time … but she is fighting the death that stalks her, as if it came from the very pages of the illuminated manuscript she found, clawing at her life to keep her from revealing the secrets she discovers.
CATGUT – by Jae Carlsson
Ginger is an ambitious professional woman with her future all mapped out — except for one problem: her husband. Ringo is a former tennis bum and now the public-relations face of a medical research outfit, but he still likes to play games. And between them sits an antique doctor’s bag which may have belonged to Jack the Ripper. NOTE: This play was not read because of time constraints and will be rescheduled.
JULY 2, 2019
SEE ME TOO – by Kathleen Tomko
In this fast-paced, four-actor, Hitchcock-like thriller, a constant web of twists and turns, judgments and lies unfolds. Lana tries to separate facts from assumptions to discover what really is happening. Either a Harvey Weinstein look-alike or an abrasive Chicago detective could be a psychopath, the hunted serial killer; but, in our world where victimized women are rarely believed, who will believe her? Will she survive the unspeakable terror long enough to uncover the truth? Take a deep breath. We will get through this together.
JUNE 16, 2019
40 LOVE – by Nancy Moss
A widow confronts challenges when an old boyfriend comes back into her life, an environmental activist tries too hard to spread the word, and her daughter participates in an AntiFa demonstration.
JUNE 4, 2019
CHRISTMAS WITH TRUMAN – by Alisha Christiansen
As one of America’s most prolific writers, Truman Capote covered Christmas several times over. This new stage adaptation includes two of his best holiday tales, “One Christmas” and “Christmas Memory.” Join Buddy and Sook as they traverse the broad territory of the South at the bottom of the Depression. These unlikely friends indulge in Christmas magic, brave across-state-lines travel, deal with disenchantment and domestic distress, find friendship, make fruitcake, and discover the meaning of enough.
MAY 21, 2019
THE BIRTH OF WAT-TU-TWAM by Irvin Jones
and RINGO by Jae Carlsson
THE BIRTH OF WAT-TU-TWAM (Excerpt) – by Irvin Jones
On Aug. 31, 2019, that word (you know the word) will turn 400 years old. Let’s say that again. The most “offensive and inflammatory racial slur in English” will turn 400 years old on Aug. 31, 2019. Why are Americans, and especially black Americans, still using a 400-year-old racial slur? Subtitled “The Death of the N-Word and its Relatives,” this is a powerful, emotional play steeped in entertaining history. (The reading as scheduled will be an excerpt of the play).
RINGO – by Jae Carlsson
Ben is dead. Now the outlaw turns his gun on you.
MAY 7, 2019
THE LORDS OF LAFAYETTE PARK – by Don Reid
In Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., two elderly black men reminisce about the tumultuous 60s, social and political events of the 70s and 80s, and talk about their 30-year friendship from 1963 to 1993.
APRIL 30, 2019
FIFTH TUESDAY WORKSHOP: ARISTOTLE – by Karen Polinsky
Aristotle (or Arty as I like to call him) may be the first critic in history (oh joy). His comprehensive guide to playwriting, The Poetics, is one of the very first theories of art. In this workshop, we explore his doctrine of DOs and DON’Ts. You don’t have to agree with every Greek ípsilon in his theory, but you’ll learn something practical or profound from our investigation, I promise!
APRIL 16, 2019
ONE-ACTS – by John McDonald, Michael Josef and Nancy Moss
THE END OF SUMMER – by John McDonald
When Ted returns to their father’s home on the island where they grew up, they have to confront the versions of themselves left behind. And with their fiancee Max digging down, there may be no way to escape from a past that won’t let “Teddy” be.
MISTER MISERY’S PASSPORT – by Michael Josef
Inspired by the fortification at West Point New York during the American Revolution. Tadeusz Kościuszko returns early from an errand to discover Agrippa Hull dressed in his clothes and throwing a party. Thomas Jefferson arrives with a big problem, and seeks some advice from his friends.
DETAINED – by Nancy Moss
Paulo, a young immigrant and comedian, is taken off a bus by a Customs and Border Enforcement agent in Spokane, WA. To keep them safe he does not have his asylum papers with him.
APRIL 2, 2019
SHORT WORKS – by PDX Playwrights
We’ll read a romping selection of short works by three playwrights:
THE MOON ALSO RISES – by Karen Polinsky
A robotic vibrator by a female inventor is banned from an international tech show. (Based on a true story.)
CITY SUITE – by Paul K. Smith
A time-bending one-act play with three-scenes — three wallops — and with a twist … or two.
TIT FOR TAT – by Jae Carlsson
Ginger’s car breaks down on a deserted desert highway. A man stops to help her. But will this man expect payback of some sort?
RINGO – by Jae Carlsson
Ben is dead. Now the outlaw turns his gun on you. NOTE: This play was not read because of time constraints and will be rescheduled.
MARCH 19, 2019
FIRE AND MEAT – by Eve Johnstone
Fire and Meat follows Grendel from the epic poem Beowulf, and the story of their life leading up to the events of the poem. The story revolves around Grendel, a monster, and their relationship with their dying mother (represented by a giant puppet) and Unferth, a Dane, struggling to find his place amongst the other men of Hrothgar’s hall.
MARCH 5, 2019
WHITE PICKET WIVES – by Zelda Strong
A dark comedy about two women in love, set against the communist witch hunts of the 1950s. After almost a decade apart, Julia and Lizzie reunite as suburban housewives, and find that the only way they’ll be able to be together in this society is to kill their husbands.
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
SWEETMEAT & ROTGUT – by Paul K. Smith
Set in Texas, 1959. Country versus city. A 15-round prizefight. An arena of Desire. Think Phedre crossed with Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The reading features Alyson Osborn, Justin Sintic, and Olivia MacFadden-Elliott.
FEBRUARY 5, 2019
AT IT AGAIN – by Charles Rule
In 1968, Prague Spring turned to red dust. Mrs. Vanekova and Mr. Vanek, take you there. Warning; they laugh a lot. Warning; This is not your everyday proscenium stage play. The audience will not be allowed to sit and politely applaud. You may think the play is about this almost crazy couple. You may think it’s about the ‘Velvet Revolution’. It could be about you. That part is up to you.
JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 3, 2019
PDX Playwrights in the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works
The plethora of PDXPlaywrights offerings in the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works may be reviewed here: PDXP in Fertile Ground 2019. Please join us, support your fellow theater-makers, and find inspiration from these acts of creation!
NOTE: After the initial meeting January 8, no Third nor Fifth Tuesday meetings are scheduled in January, as PDX Playwrights and fans participate in and celebrate the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works. Our next regular session is slated for Tuesday, February 5. Meanwhile, we welcome comments from PDXP participants and festival attendees about the festival, directed to info@pdxplaywrights.org.
JANUARY 8, 2019
AN INTERLUDE IN BIRDSONG – by Eve Johnstone
Following the lives of three birds and the boy that wanders into their forest, An Interlude in Birdsong explores seed-gathering techniques, the overwhelming notion of higher purpose, coping with loss, and the ever-present struggle of figuring it all out.
Bonus! A 10-minute play, re-scheduled from a previous session:
EDWIN UND MICH – by Robb Piggot
A scientific theorist. His fiancee. His cat. And a box.
NOTE: Because the first Tuesday of the month falls on New Year’s Day, when we will not have a meeting, and the third Tuesday falls at the peak of Fertile Ground Festival preparation for many participants, we’ve slated this January 8 meeting for a rare EVEN-NUMBERED Tuesday of the month. Our regular ODD-NUMBERED Tuesday schedule is slated to resume February 5.