National Playwriting Program Awards and Festival Invitation
The two plays from our region that the readers selected and I have forwarded to the national office for consideration for the David Mark Cohen award are in alphabetical order by title:
The Chasm by Laura Neubauer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Way It Has to Be by Jeremiah Munsey, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
National Playwriting Program One-Acts Readings
ECCLES Concert Hall
Silent Spring by Kimberly Ussery, University of California, Riverside
Director: John Graham, Utah Valley University
Silent Spring is a full-length play that explores the story behind Rachel Carson's struggle to write the book that launched the environmental movement. The play transports the audience into a world of fiddler crabs and great blue herons to personify the impacts of DDT pesticide on their lives.
Thursday, February 11th, 9:00am
Repsondents: Julie Jenson & Eric Prince
Response to follow reading
L.A. Lights Fire by Eric Czuleger, University of California, Fullerton
Director: Patrick N. Pearson, California State University, Fullerton
This play explores a fictional cataclysmic fire in Los Angeles County. It focuses on the lives of men from many different social and economic backgrounds who are affected by the fire and the arsonist who lights the blaze.
Thursday, February 11th, 12:00pm
Respondents: Richard “Buzz” Herman & Julie Jensen
Response to follow reading
Off by Daniel Frey, Arizona State University
Director: Daniel Frey, Arizona State University
Jack and Diane are living "off the grid." So they're very surprised when Victor, a door-to-door salesman, arrives at their remote cabin. Victor tries to bring them back to "civilization," but he soon finds that Jack and Diane will do anything to protect the isolated life they've built.
Thursday, February 11th, 3:00pm
Respondents: Richard “Buzz” Herman & Julie Jensen
Response to follow reading
Nebraska by Noon by Brian Oglesby, University of California, Riverside
Director: Rinata Krel, University of California, Riverside
It's a family road trip, Sheila lies as her adoptive children, Miri and Nate, pile into her ratcheting 1990 Dodge Caravan. Miri is eight, with a broken arm. Nate is fourteen, and deeply troubled. Sheila must drive from California to Nebraska before the sunset of a Safe Haven law.
Friday, February 12th, 9:00am
Respondents: Julie Jenson & Eric Prince
Response to follow reading
Cassius Sargent's Chicken Bones by Asher Wyndham, Arizona State University
Director: Jim Holmes, Loyola Marymount University
Katrina Turf, Southwest Houston, 11 PM. Cassius Sargent, a homeless man who survived Hurricane Katrina, wants to return home. His dream may come true if he agrees to do something.
Friday, February 12th, 12:00pm
Respondent:s Julie Jensen & Eric Prince
Response to follow reading
Linus and Hannah by Kirsa Rein, University of Southern California
Director: Drew Chappell, California State University, Fullerton
During wartime, a young man celebrates his eighteenth birthday by enlisting in the army, only to be distracted by a seemingly frivolous classmate’s scavenger hunt.
Friday, February 12th, 3:00pm
Respondents: Richard “Buzz” Herman & Eric Prince
Response to follow reading



