Post Play Post

and just like that... another year with the 10 by 10 has come to a close.

i have a mixture of emotions coming out of the scriptwriters/houston 18th annual showcase of new plays. overall, my best experience with the 10 by 10.

my director, while i believe hesitant at first, came through and really invested a lot in my play. i think the subject matter initially made her uncomfortable, but she ultimately embraced the themes and the relationship and gave it her all.

she told me she was pleased people would get to see the play because it would probably be a new experience for most.

my actors were the best i've had in the three years.... they both put a lot of emotion into their performances and i think they were roundly applauded for their efforts.

unfortunately, i think the order of this year's ten plays were probably the worst they've ever been and (in particular) i think my play was lost in the shuffle. i followed an over-the-top play about terrorism, torture and even a jesus reference... and then i was followed by an over-the-top, convoluted absurdist play about... well, there is still some debate.

my play was probably the most subtle of the evening. an experiment in dialogue and relationships more than plot twists and clever gimmicks. the entire concept of my play was built around what wasn't said... two individuals incapable of expressing their emotions coming to a point where, maybe, they could.... but ultimately, stop short.

it was obviously lost on some. understood by others... but again... i just think it was lost among all the rest.

some reviews... very varied.

wrote one:

Gay lovers on the brink of breaking up, don’t. Or do they? Travis Springfield and Kelly Williams soak the stage with recrimination and almost make you believe there’s a story here. Lots of subtext, no question, and it all gets laid out. But where’s the beef? You have to wonder, how many times have they had this same fight? [e.] gets a lot of mileage out of his scenario: miles to nowhere. If there was a point to this piece, I couldn’t find it with a spotlight.

ummm.... ouch. but i think this person missed the point. immediately following this review, however, someone wrote they wish mine had been expanded because they would like to have seen more. And goes on to write:

Travis Springfield and Kelly Williams were superb in their roles and showed the strongest relationship in the night. And I easily could have seen this done at minimum as a lengthy one act piece around 45 minutes, or as a full length play, including in the play when the younger man is at the bar being picked up by a stranger, but to deny him only to go home to his older lover to engage him. And for their conversation to pick up the following day, and perhaps the older man to return to drinking, to see what he was actually like before, as the younger man described. Anyways, it was the best piece of the night.

the last line, in particular, means i at least reached one person. and that's what writing should be about. reaching people. making them think. forcing them to reexamine what they believe or misunderstand.

overall, it was a good year. i was pleased with my play even if i felt the majority of friends and family found it lacking compared to my other pieces.

it was different. less obvious. more stylized. my favorite description so far was my friend who called it "theatrical."

but you win some... and you lose some.

this past weekend was a win for me.... even if i didn't come in first, second or even third. it was something i was proud of and i think i'll look back on it next year and still find myself pleased.

to all of you who came out and supported me and the other nine houston playwrights.... thank you.

and for those of you in the know... the saturday night "after" was fucking fabulous! a great group of friends having great food, drink and conversation. thanks to all who stopped by, provided their feedback and just let go and had fun.

a special thanks to those four friends who put it all together and made it happen.

presently, i'm not sure about next year. my gut tells me "no" but my desire to be on stage and see if i can keep the streak alive tells me "yes."

maybe something comedic next year? maybe something more accessible?

or maybe i'll just fuck with everyone again and make 'em work for it?

who knows? i mean, somebody has to shake that shit up?

e.