Keep your eyes on HowlRound. According to Seattle Playwright Vincent Delaney, “The national journal based at Arena Stage, is featuring Seattle for the entire week. We’ve got blog posts by playwright Stephanie Timm, Allen Fitzpatrick of Icicle Creek Theatre Festival, Kathy Hsieh of Sex In Seattle, dramaturg Liz Engelman, and a culminating interview with our own Yussef El Guindi.”
Vince has already posted his kick-off essay and it’s a clarion call.
Local actors rule the Equity stages here, and no one expects that to change. They’re just too good, and everyone knows it.
So, Playwrights?
Raising the profile of Seattle writing is really a matter of changing our own self-image. Yes it’s frustrating to see season selections that reflect some other city’s priorities (curse you, Wichita)—but what are we going to do about it? Sit and complain? Threaten to leave? Spend all our energies on angry blog posts?
(Uh-oh. I think I know who that last shot might be aimed at.)
Go read Vince’s essay and give him feedback in the comments section. Then keep your eye on HowlRound and weigh in when Stephanie, Allen, Kathy, Liz and Yussef step to the plate. This is a great opportunity for Seattle to continue its discussion about mapping its way to World Class as a theatre town, and an even greater way for the whole nation to see how sexy smart and committed we are.
Go get ‘em, Seattle!