Finally having a chance to reflect on my time with The Susan Fairbrook 2024 Core Writers Group at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley @theatreworkssv
First off, it was a true honor to have even been considered for inclusion with this VERY esteemed group of Playwrights: Cleavon Smith @csharp_cnotes , Terry A. Boero @merriberriterri , Grace Hoffman @littlegrace , Betty Shamieh @bettyshamieh , Min Kahng @minkahng , Geetha Reddy @geereddy , and Jonathan Spector @spectorama with TheatreWorks staff Jeffrey Lo @theycallmejlo (Associate Producer of Casting & Literary Management), Reed Flores @reed.flores (Line Producer), and Giovanna Sardelli (Artistic Director) guiding us. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to grow in my craft after bringing in 10-ish pages every couple of weeks for 8 months as I shaped my new play, CURSED HOUSE OF THE MARASIGANS. The notes, insight, advice, and experience from every artist in the cohort (including the incredible Bay Area actors brought in) were invaluable and appreciated! Despite initially having “imposter syndrome”, I’d like to think that having over 10 years of professional experience of working with other theatre makers hopefully I also provided some value to the group!
“Last weekend we hosted readings from the Susan Fairbrook Core Writers Group — a cohort of Bay Area-based writers at various stages in their careers who have gathered at TheatreWorks over the last eight months to develop their stories. It was inspiring to glimpse into the process of developing a play and imagine where these stories may lead.” – from their latest newsletter.
Below is a photo of a scene from CURSED HOUSE OF THE MARASIGANS performed by Jake Fong @jking510 (Miles) and Anna Marie Sharpe @_amarie3 (Nina) with direction provided by Reed Flores at this presentation. Needless to say, I left the space floating on an air of confidence of being on the right path and carried by the laughter the audience shared after watching a snippet of the play!
I am grateful to everyone involved (special shout out to the donors and the memory of Susan Fairbrooks) for making me feel supported, nurtured, and valued as a playwright, artist, and person!