Against is being performed in person at ALRA this March.
Year in review
For the first half of 2021, I focused on my research at the Cullman Center (below, see the plaque outside the office I occupied, to which my name was added at the end of my fellowship term). In the second half of the year, I focused on various writing projects. 2022 looks to be a busy year, God willing — watch this space!
Against at Guildford School of Acting
Against is being performed in person at Guildford School of Acting this December.
Against at Manchester School of Theatre
My play Against will be performed in person at Manchester School of Theater this November and streamed in January.
Against at RADA
My play Against was performed by students at RADA recently. The production was filmed and edited, and is available to industry professionals May 17-21. It was directed by Psyche Stott and designed by Simon Kenny.
Adam Woolley and Tom Mackean. Photographer: Linda Carter
Year in review
It was a quiet year for me as the pandemic brought theatre to a halt. Still, there were a few bright spots: Methuen published Now or Later in their Modern Classics series, featuring an insightful introduction by Dominic Cooke. I began a fellowship at the Cullman Center, giving me an extraordinary opportunity to further my work on disability and culture. And just before the election, The Guardian ran an excerpt of The Narcissist, which I hope will not be the last word for the play. While next year remains a mystery in many ways, I am hopeful that at the least there will be more to report than there is this year.
my office at the Cullman Center
The Narcissist in The Guardian
As part of their Future Plays series, The Guardian has run an excerpt from my play The Narcissist, with a short introduction by me.
East Forest redux
I had another wonderful chat with Trevor Oswalt on Ten Laws with East Forest, a year or so after our last chat. We talk about the lockdown, our dreams, and how art functions in our tech-mediated culture.
What plays am I reading?
American Theatre asked me and others that question in April and has just published our answers. Here’s mine:
Theatre in Times of Crisis
I’m so pleased to be one of twenty extraordinary playwrights in this anthology of scenes exploring the idea of “crisis.” It’s edited by Dom O’Hanlon, who also interviewed me for the book, and contains an introduction by Edward Bond.
Cullman Center Fellowship
I’m thrilled to be a fellow at the Cullman Center for 2020-21!
Now or Later Modern Classics edition
My 2008 play Now or Later has been published in Methuen’s “Modern Classics” series! The new edition contains an extraordinary introduction by Dominic Cooke.
Unpublishing my Patreon
For the time being, I’ve decided to unpublish my Patreon. My final post (for now at least) is below.
The Narcissist cancelled
Due to coronavirus, Chichester Festival Theatre has cancelled its fall 2020 season — including the world premiere of my play The Narcissist.
Drama Desk nominations for Judgment Day
UPDATE: In addition, Richard Jones’s production has been nominated for a Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play!
Judgment Day received four Drama Desk nominations, including one for my adaptation!
Lockdown reading
I’ve been asked by a few folks to write about or comment on what’s happening right now and have declined because my thoughts are still forming. But some things I’ve written and talked about in the past may have some resonance with this moment, for any who are interested:
my 2018 review of Max Ritvo’s letters with Sarah Ruhl during his cancer experience for Slate
my 2012 essay on madness and creativity for The Economist
from 2017, a piece about how I conceived a new play during a difficult time for The Arts Desk
A 2019 discussion with Trevor Oswalt where I detail my experience of serious illness
A 2017 podcast with Rob Icke where we discuss violence and my work
My 2018 review of Cynthia Haven’s biography of René Girard for LARB
Pausing Patreon
Due to coronavirus, I am pausing my Patreon for now.
The Narcissist
My new play The Narcissist premieres at Chichester Festival Theatre in October!
Year in review
2019 was a busy year: I directed my own production of Dying City at Second Stage in the late spring, and in the late autumn my adaptation of Ödön von Horváth’s Judgment Day premiered at Park Avenue Armory. Along the way I had wonderful conversations with Tommy O’Malley, Jeremy O. Harris, Adam Unze, and Trevor Oswalt. I began work on a commission for National Disability Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and the Goodman, while on a Radcliffe Fellowship at Harvard. Finally, I launched a Patreon to try to create a more meaningful, intimate way of communicating online.
Colin Woodell and Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Judgment Day published
UPDATE: Judgment Day is available for purchase.
Judgment Day will be published by Methuen later this month!
