CFA student playwrights are writing the stories that haven’t been told yet. Jo Cosio-Mercado (CFA’21) wrote “Fabric,” a story focused on the intersection of identity in queer culture. “Fabric” is one of three plays for this year’s Playwrights’ Project, which offers participating BFA playwrights a chance to realize their new plays at various stages of development. The plays, which run in the Copeland Black Box Studio Theatre 354, receive workshop-style processes that encourage rigorous examination and generation of new text.
Students participating in the BFA playwright program have the opportunity to develop and unfold their potential through various stages and workshopping of their work. The project allows the showcasing of storytellers of the future by collaborating with BFA dramaturgs. Three plays, directed by Sophronia Grace Vowels, are featured in a workshop-shop style process, while two other plays are set to be performed in upcoming season of productions, one as a part of CFA’s Fall Fringe Festival.
Kristin Leahey, Assistant Professor in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Literature, who curated and advised the project along with Kirsten Greenidge, shared some thoughts on the origins of The Playwrights' Project at BU.
How did The Playwrights' Project get started?
Kristin Leahey: Last year, Assistant Professor in Playwrighting Kirsten Greenidge and I recognized an abundance of new work and writers, who were ready for this next phase of development before production with their work. Post- a series of two-day workshops for these pieces and others, we offered these artists an extended opportunity to develop their work and the opportunity to present it twice, working with an ensemble of actors, director, dramaturgs, stage manager, and each other.
Who is involved in this project?
KL: They are all BFA playwrights that happen to be from the Theatre Arts program at BU. All shows are directed by Sophronia Grace Vowels.
- Are You Ready To Smash White Things? By Ireon Roach (CFA’21) (September 22)
- Fabric by Jo Cosio-Mercado (CFA’21) (October 5 & 6)
- The First Pineapple and Other Folktales by Michael Rosegrant (CFA’21) (October 19 & 20)
How does BU and the College of Fine Arts support playwrights and encourage new works from students?
KL: We offer a number of different opportunities, such as the Playwrights’ Project, Monday Meetups, the Fringe Festival, and are continuing to finesse and expand these new play development programs.
What does the process of workshopping these new works look like?
KL: It’s essentially a 29-hour workshop broken up over two weeks for each project, with two presentations.
What does the future of The Playwrights' Project look like?
KL: We hope for the project to continue to grow and, as this is our pilot year, will continue to finesse it with student participant feedback.
How can members of the BU and CFA community support the project and attend the upcoming productions?
KL: They are free and the last presentation is The First Pineapple and Other Folktales by Michael Rosegrant (October 19, 7pm, and October 20, 11am)!
Interview by Channing Capaccione (COM’21).
Additional productions:
October
by Tyler Hayes McMahon
Directed by Mallika Chandaria
Oct 9 - Oct 13
“Jewels 1” Miller Studio Theatre 352
Amputees
A BU New Play Initiative production written by Quentin Nguyen-Duy (CFA’20)
Directed by Sarah Shin (CFA’19)
Part of the 2019 Fringe Festival
Oct 23 - Oct 27
CFA Studio ONE