This is a list of new productions, workshops, readings, and publications by female playwrights. Our goal is to create greater gender parity in theatre by highlighting the works of female writers and the organizations that promote and produce their works.

PRODUCTIONS:

A Box of Yellow Stars by Natalie Parker-Lawrence.

Based on true events from World War II, a Christian man travels to Europe 15 times during the Holocaust, marries fifteen women destined for the concentration camps and divorces them in America, thereby saving them and their families. The play opens at his funeral in the 1990’s where a few of the ex-wives show up. Tragic, poignant, and sometimes funny.

Produced by the Women’s Theatre Festival of Memphis at Theatreworks in Memphis, TN, November 13-22. 

Hope Throws Her Heart Away by Susan Goodell.

Hope has spent her life pleasing everyone else, attempting to be all things to all people … except herself. But in this show — which is equal parts absurd, quirky comedy and dramatic, poetic realism — Hope’s life is about to change. Directed by Elayne LeTraunik and featuring Katie Binger, Lily Sauvage and Tricia Rogers.

Produced by Genesis Theatrical Productions at The Alley Stage, The Alley Stage, 4127 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL, November 27-December 20. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm.
For tickets go to: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1900048.
A limited number of discount tickets are available on Gold Star.

SAFE by Donna Hoke.

In 2011, a young gay teen hangs himself after being bullied–but the events leading to the suicide began decades before. In 1986, Nancy is a sheltered high school girl who swallows her guilt over her best friend’s torment. Twenty-five years later, married to the controlling Kirk, Nancy is confronted by another bully–her son.

Produced by Saginaw Valley State University Theatre Department, 7400 Bay Rd, University Center, MI 48710, November 18-22.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 @ 7:30pm
Thursday, November 19, 2015 @ 7:30pm
Friday, November 20, 2015 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, November 21, 2015 @ 7:30pm
Sunday, November 22, 2015 @ 3:00pm
Performance location: Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts.

Ticket Information:
$13.00 – General Admission
$10.00 – Senior Citizens (60+)
$10.00 – Students
For more information or to order tickets, please contact the Box Office at (989) 964-4261.

What Will Happen to Daisy? by Patti Cassidy.

Directed by Megan Smith and starring Valentine Aprile. Zelda Fitzgerald finally reveals the Great Gatsby’s true story- but is it too late?

Produced by Midtown International Theatre Festival, Short Play Lab, Jewel Box Theater, 312 W. 36th Street, November 7 – 7PM
Nov 8- 4PM.

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Pigeon by Allie Costa.

This dark comedy was originally developed at PlayGround-LA and had a staged reading at the Zephyr Theatre in Hollywood last year.

Traveling through Florida this November and December as part of Gypsy Stage Rep’s short play series.

http://www.gypsystage.com/
http://www.alliecosta.com/

Plays by Hillary DePiano. 

The Love of Three Oranges.

A modern adaptation of Carlo Gozzi’s commedia classic! A comedic slapstick fairy tale for all ages!

Produced by Dickinson High School Drama Department, Dickinson ND, November 19-21; Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, WA, November 19-21; Charles County Public Schools, Waldorf, MD, November 19-21; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Tory, NY, November 13-21; EAV Guerrilla Theatre, Atlanta GA, November 13-21; Wichita High School East, Wichita, KS, November 12-14; Juanita High School, Woodinville, WA, November 12-21; La Salle High School, Pasadena, CA, November 7-21; Anselmian Abbey Players, Manchester, NH, November 5-7; Baines Middle School, Missouri City, TX, November 5-15; Scribner- Snyder Community School, Scribner, NE, November 18-December 5.

The Green Bird.

New this fall, this modern adaptation of Carlo Gozzi’s commedia classic gets a new twist in this slapstick comedy about families and fairy tales.

Produced by Ridgefield High School, Ridgefield CT, November 12-21; Norton Community School, Norton Kansas, November 14-15; Phoenixville Area High School, Phoenixville, PA, November 13-22.

Daddy Issues and Three Padded Walls.

Amelia’s been looking for love in all the wrong faces. But when she meets a strangely familiar man in the subway, she’ll finally have to confront the ghost of her past; They’re ready to lock Jenny away for good. But how can she be crazy when she’s the only one who knows what’s really going on?

Produced by EF Academy, Thornwood, NY, November 20.

READINGS:

La Cancion de Los Pajaritos by Mercy Vasquez.

The Song of the Little Birds – A story about mothers, daughters, sisters and secrets. Sometimes the choices we make to protect, can also destroy.

Produced by Company of Angels Theater (Downtown LA), 206 W 6th Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90013, Sunday, November 22nd, 7pm.

Weak Days by Hillary DePiano

Weak Days zooms out and looks at our daily routines from a new perspective as all five weekdays play out at simultaneously across the stage in a comic ballet where timing is everything because it’s all we have. Follow a three week journey to shake up the daily routine and figure out what it means to live a little.

Produced by The Chameleon Theatre Circle, Burnsville, MO, November 7.

PUBLICATIONS:

We Are Theatre by the Guerrilla Girls on Tour! 

27 short plays by women on gender parity.  Originally a speak out at the Cherry Lane Theatre produced by Guerrilla Girls on Tour! in 2012. Available for $10 at http://guerrillagirlsontour.com/we-are-theatre/.

To submit to the December issue of LADIES FIRST, email natalie.noplays@gmail.com before the end of the month. Send us your name, the name of your play, the name of the theatre producing your work, a sentence or two about the play, the where and when, and an image. Thank you to everyone who participated in the first LADIES FIRST newsletter.