National Reports

Like the entire world, Southwestern playwrights and theatre artists find themselves pivoting so much that they’re beginning to feel like pandemic ballerinas. And, also, like the rest of the world, we’ve already grown tired of even the word “pivot” itself.

Dramatists and theatres have a symbiotic relationship. We provide the beating heart, theatres give us a body to hold that heart so we can share it. I reached out to one Washington State theatre to see how they’re faring and to explore how we might help each other survive.

When I catch up with playwright and DG member EM LEWIS on her family farm in Monitor, Oregon, it’s nearing the end of the growing season. Veggies are picked and preserved. Wood’s chopped and stacked. And this particular Tuesday—November 3, 2020—becomes an apt backdrop for a chat about her new play, The Great Divide. 

I caught up with one of New York theatre’s charismatic leaders, National Black Theatre’s AD Jonathan McCrory to discuss how they face a pandemic and support community.

During lockdown, New Jersey has lived up to its gritty reputation for being the research and development state for new plays. Professional theatres, community theatres, and newly formed writers’ groups have been working with local members and DG writers from all over the country. 

Like every other region, ours has struggled mightily since the pandemic. And, like the rest of the theatre world, we’ve been forced to move our activities online for time being.      We got off to a quick start—at the beginning of April, our ambassador for Cape Cod, JOE PAPRZYCKI, had planned for me to give an in-person talk...

The City of Houston has experienced an unprecedented pandemic starting in March of 2020. The effects were staggering. But there were a few theatre companies in Houston that pressed forward despite court ordered social distancing and less than 25 percent capacity audiences.

As a fan of new plays by women, I am fortunate to highlight three of our regional members. Their work delves into racial and gender disparities, social justice, and impending environmental disaster. These women are not writing fluff.

It has been fun and a challenge to meet other Florida members at virtual events and gatherings during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. As your new Florida Regional Rep, I have, along with Ambassadors ARIANNA ROSE, DJ SALISBURY and PAUL DONNELLY, created a myriad of informational meetings and social gatherings.

The Washington DC Theatre community has responded to the adversity of these strange times by inventing new forms of expression and remaining fiercely relevant in their content.