Shows for School or Community Groups
The Last Quest of Visilock
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Commissioned and Characters by Westlake Theatre's WHS Performing Arts Department
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World Premiere at the American High School Theatre Festival at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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70 Minutes, 16 characters who can be any gender
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Fantasy setting a la Dungeons and Dragons and Lord of the Rings
Logo Design: Meredith Yanchak
Blurb: Welcome to the Velarium Inn! A host of colourful characters run this ramshackle waystation in the magical realm of Visilock, where elves and dwarves, knights and rogues, wizards and barbarians strive to co-exist in a world beset by evil and monsters. Knight Swarna Hays is after the legendary artefact, the Fount of Joy, but the nefarious League of Shadows is after it too. Swarna meets adventurers with greater destinies than they want to take on. Join us for a fantasy comedy about having the courage to meet the road, day after day.
For information on performing this play at your school or community, Contact Me
Artist Retreat
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Developed at Burrell High School Theatre Company
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World Premiere in Lower Burrell, PA in Nov. 2021
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Published by Pioneer Drama Service (2022)
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Winner of 2022 Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest
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Full Length with intermission, 17 roles
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Wacky bohemian characters in free-spirited comedy
Retired dancer Mother Dee lives in an aging mansion and hosts an eclectic group of artists, including those who practice the art of gardening, poetry, clowning, and even bodybuilding (though he really wants to dance). But despite the overtime efforts of handywoman Hacksaw, the mansion’s electricity is spotty, the roof is caving in, and ”the duct tape is structural.” To pay for repairs, Mother Dee tries to access a family trust, but straight-laced banker, Penny, breaks the news that the funds can only be used to start a for-profit business.
Luckily, Penny has a heart and helps the kooky group of creatives dive headfirst into finding a business model. But when the artists fumble their business pitch, their confidence wanes, insecurities are revealed, and Sally’s giant chickens run amok! Just when it seems the artists have no business in the business world, they convince would-be customers to become faithful clients of the arts at their retreat.
For information on performing this play at your school or community, or to read a script sample, visit Pioneer Drama.
About
My Plays
I write comedies about navigating a bruising world. Many take place in sci-fi or otherwise imaginary circumstances. Some take place right here.
My plays blend the ridiculous and the poignant for a variety of audiences, from family-friendly fare to late-night shows.
Bio
Who I am and What I've Done
I’ve been creating plays since high school drama club, where I found writing to be a great way to be part of theatre without all that business of vocal warmups.
Since then, I’ve been writing plays. At Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, I earned a BA in Journalism and spent any potential social life at the university’s theatre as a playwright, actor, and stage manager. After graduation I worked for a small county newspaper, writing about
township meetings and heritage festivals during the day, and writing plays by night. Like Batman, but far less crime and far more Michael-Keaton-with-huge-glasses.
In 2007, I moved to Seattle to look at pine trees and walk around in the rain and think poetic thoughts. I haven't had any, rain isn't nearly as poetic as I thought it would be. But I fell in love with the theatre community here and fully adopted the Pacific Northwest lifestyle (flannel, climbing gym membership, and doesn't-know-whose-turn-it-is-at-a-4-way-stop). I work in a cubicle by day and write plays by night: a Bruce Wayne without money or hunger for vengeance.
I met my wife Rachel in Seattle, and when I’m not writing we enjoy travel, cooking, wine on a patio, jogging with the neighborhood running club, sitcoms on Netflix that we’ve seen before, biking, learning new things, and being in love for all time.
August 2022
Ten Minute Plays "Doctor Dana Outdoor Dentist" and "Muddy Buddies"
August 2022
Westlake High School Theatre performs "The Last Quest of Visilock" at the American High School Theatre Festival at the Fringe.
November 2021
Burrell High School Theatre
Full Length Play "Artist Retreat"
Published by Pioneer Drama Service
January 2020
Ten Minute Plays "Rap Battle Acura" and "Upon a Mattress"
November 2019
Reading of "The Hanford Invasion!"
August 2019
Ten-Minute Plays "The Roadlax" and "Small Engine Repair"
August 2019
Ten-Minute Play "Dr. Loopifer's Machine"
February 2019
Ten-Minute Play "Touched for the Very First Time"
June 2018
Seven Devils Playwrights Conference
Staged Reading of Full-Length Play "The Hanford Invasion!"
Gallery
Fun Photos
"Small Engine Repair"
Actor Nick Edwards
Photo by Joe Iano Photography
"The Sound of Silence"
Actors Alexander Samuels, Eric Mulholland, and Kevin Bordi
The 14/48 Projects
"The Great Heist Caper"
Actors Marianna de Fazio, Alyson Bedford,, and Bob Williams
The 14/48 Projects
"Artist Retreat" at Burrell High School, Lower Burrell, PA
November 2021
Published by Pioneer Drama
Poster Design by Jamie Smittle
Fight Choreography for "The Last Quest of Visilock" at Westlake Theatre's Performing Arts Department, 2022.
Choreography and Photo by Carlo Aceytuno, stage combat instructor.
Nice Things People Said
"Perfect mixture of ridiculous, funny, charmine, heartwarming, bittersweet, and social commentary." -Playwright Darian Lindle