Women in Theatre: August Edition

We're in that time right before theatres begin their fall season. However, here are some of the plays opening/playing this month here in the Bay Area written by women playwrights.

Moontel Six, Part 1 by Constance Congdon, A.C.T., Augst 22 - 28.

Ecstasy: A Water Fable by Denmo Ibrahim, Golden Thread at Thick House, July 23 - August 16.

Unexpected Man by Yasmina Reza, Spare Stage at the Exit Theatre, August 1 - 15.

I know this list is far from exhaustive, it's a first pass. I'll try to add on more plays as i find them.

Women in Theatre: April Edition

Here are some of the plays opening/playing this month here in the Bay Area written by women playwrights.

Distracted by Lisa Loomer, TheatreWorks, April 1 - 26

Rita Moreno in Conversation, by Rita Moreno, Berkeley Rep, April 20

This is Not a Torture or an Engine by Erin Bregman, staged reading, Playwrights Foundation, April 28

War Music by Lillian Groag at A.C.T., March 26 - April 26

Women's Will 24 Hour Playfest, featuring local playwrights, Women's Will, April 6


I know this list is far from exhaustive, it's a first pass. I'll try to add on more plays as i find them.

Women in Theatre: February Edition

Last year New York City women playwrights convened a meeting to discuss women's parity in playwrighting.

At an October town hall meeting of women playwrights Julia Jordan's pointed out in her introduction that:

Thirty years ago, only 7% of plays on national non-profit stages were written by women. Currently that number is around 17%. A rise of around 3.3% a decade. At that rate, if it continues, we will reach parity in just under another hundred years.

With this in my mind while I was looking at the February theatre line-up, I decided to call out the plays here in the Bay Area in production written by women playwrights. They are:

Cuckoo by Madison Clell, Jump! Theatre, Feb. 5-28

Girls War by Joyce Van Dyke, Golden Thread Productions, Feb. 16-March 8

Mud by Maria Irene Fornes, Cutting Ball Theatre, Jan. 9-Feb.15 (an extended run)

Song for Coretta by Pearl Cleage, Brava! For Women in the Arts, Jan. 22-Feb.7

Tough Titty by Oni Faida Lampley, Magic Theatre, Jan. 24-Feb. 22

In the Next Room (Or the Vibrator Play) by Sarah Ruhl, Berkeley Repertory, Jan. 30-March 15


I'm sure this list isn't absolutely exhaustive. If there's any plays that should be added to the list, please feel free to mention them in the comments section.

And Then There Were Two

That's right, this blog now has two contributors.

And who exactly am I? My name is Marisela and I'm a playwright and poet (I used to say that in reverse order, but these days I'm focused mainly on writing for theatre). And of course I'm a member of Women Advocates for the Arts in the Bay Area (WATA).

As an active blogger, I'm excited that WATA has a blog site to post thoughts, start discussions, and announce events.

I'll be back tomorrow with my first official post and I hope to see you at the next WATA event.