Taking Madness Beyond the Hahne

First-year MFA Playwright Jacob Juntunen will be in Chicago this weekend for Caffeine Theatre's Aphra Behn Coffeehouse at the Newberry Library where they will feature a revised and expanded version of his short play "Code Name: Astrea" in an afternoon of short plays and other artistic works. The play was developed as part of Ohio Playwriting's weekly Production 650 class, also known as Madness.

Qui Nguyen (MFA '02) Opens Latest in New York

THE INEXPLICABLE REDEMPTION OF AGENT G by Qui Nguyen, program alumnus, is currently playing to sold out houses at Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company. Helen Shaw of TimeOut New York calls the play, "schizophrenic, wonderful... [a] profound metatheatrical self-examination ... funny ... eye-opening." Audience response has been equally strong. The Orange Hats, who cite themselves as a dynamic space for audiences' voices, captured Agent G audience reaction after a recent performance. Current OU Playwriting students (MFA candidate Cecilia Copeland; BFA candidates Nick Philpott and Anthony Kochensparger) were in attendance and share their thoughts in the short video. AGENT G opened March 24 and runs through April 16 at Vampire Cowboys in New York.

OU Playwrights Invited to KCACTF 2011

Molly Hagan (BFA Playwriting '10) and Ryan Dowler (MFA '10) both had 10-minute plays invited to the Region 2 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival through the script submission process. Current MFA Playwright Ira Gamerman also had a one-act invited via script submission.

*UPDATE* - 3/2/11
Ira Gamerman (MFA '12) has been names a National Finalist for the John Cauble Award for Outstanding Short Play from The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. His play SECRET SANTA will presented alongside the other finalists as concert readings during the National Festival.

Ohio University will also be represented by Molly Hagan's play SPACESHIPS AND THINGS THAT LOOK LIKE THEM, which advances from the Region II conference to the National Festival this April.

Since 2005, OU playwrights have been recognized and selected for seventeen major regional and five national awards from KC/ACTF, including winning the National 10-minute Play Award in 2009.

Chicago Reader Praises Jacqmin's DENTAL SOCIETY MIDWINTER MEETING

16th Street Theater presents DENTAL SOCIETY MIDWINTER MEETING by Laura Jacqmin, directed by Megan Shuchman. Featuring Julie Ganey, Todd Garcia, Michael Mercier, Fawzia Mirza, Rakisha Pollard, and Paige Smith. "Laura Jacqmin's superbly written script about conventioneering dentists grappling with various crises—faltering marriages, insurance fraud, midlife anomie—is packed with believable dialogue, fascinatingly flawed characters, and short, punchy scenes. Directed by Megan Shuchman and acted by a tight six-member ensemble, the 85-minute show grabs on and doesn't let go until Jacqmin has completed her moving meditation on hypocrisy and human frailty."—Chicago Reader. February 24–March 26, 2011; Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 5:00 & 8:00 PM. Visit 16th Street Theater online for tickets and more information.

Kendeda Winner CARAPACE Premieres

CARAPACE by David Mitchell Robinson (MFA '10) received its World Premiere at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta on February 11, 2011. "...an almost perfect work of art. If you care about fine theatre, go see it."— Manning Harris, Atlanta INtown. "[Carapace is] deftly drawn...[a] sharp, often incredibly funny drama..."— Felicia Feaster, ArtsCriticATL.com. CARAPACE is the winner of the 2010 Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition, identifying the best new American playwrights and bringing their work to Atlanta. Directed by Judith Ivey, Robinson's play runs through March 6, 2011.

Collider Projects Taps Inaugural Playwrights

Garrett C. Schneider (MFA '10) has been selected for Fox Valley Repertory's Inaugural Collider Project, which will take place during the St. Charles' Summer Theater Festival in July. Through the project, Schneider will be partnered with area scientists to further develop his play CLOCKWORK CHILD. Read more about The Collider New Play Project and Schneider's new play at broadwayworld.com.

Kennedy 50th Anniversary Celebration Tap Ohio Playwright for Showcase

Second-year MFA Playwright Ira Gamerman was named a Kennedy Center scholarship recipient for The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration. Along with the scholarship, Gamerman received a two-day residency at the Kennedy Center in preparation for a showcase of his short play I'll Hear it When I See It, directed by Jack Wright of the University of Kansas and featuring actors from the Washington DC Community. The showcase and scholarship presentation was presented in the Terrace Theater, as a simulcast and archived Millennium Stage presentation, on Monday January 31, 2011. Watch the video of the evening here. Gamerman's play is introduced at 30 minutes and 30 seconds into the evening, according to the video's time code.