Investigate the Projects

Outstanding New American Play Selections

“The Brother/Sister Plays“
by Tarell McCraney
World Premiere: April 24 - June 21, 2009 - McCarter Theatre, NJ
Project Contact: Mara Isaacs, 609 258-6503
Agent: Thomas Pearson, ICM, 212-556-6656
Status of Project: Selected play “Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet” began rehearsals March 15, 2009 and opens May 22.

“Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo“
by Rajiv Joseph
World Premiere: May 10 - June7, 2009 - Center Theatre Group, CA
Project Contact: Jean Kling, 213-972-3090
Agent: Seth Glewen, The Gersh Agency, 212-634-8158
Status of Project:  Rehearsal starts April 7 and opens Sun, May 17.

This remarkable play throws two homesick soldiers, a tormented Iraqi, and a brooding tiger together into a revelatory situation that is hysterical and macabre, soul-wrenching and lyrical.

Distinguished Development Project Selections

“I've Never Been So Happy“
Rude Mechanicals, Austin, TX
Project Contact: Lana Lesley, 512-476-7833
Status of Project: Work-in-Progress Showings: December 2008, June 2009, September 2009, Premiere: April 2010

This new musical trans-media performance party is “a refreshingly queer interrogation of the West” and “a Brechtian extravaganza for art and theater geeks, evoking everything from WOW Café camp to Bruce Nauman’s post-minimal studio practice to Kara Walker’s silhouettes and shadow puppets.” (Claire Ruud, ...might be good)

“Agnes Under the Big Top“
by Aditi Kapil
Lark Play Development Center, NYC
Project Contact: John Eisner, 212-246-2676 x23
Agent Contact: Antje Oegel, AO International, 773-754 7628
Status of Project: Nov 2008: First Reading, discussion at Lark, NYC, Feb 2009: Workshop, Public reading at Playwright’s Center/Mixed Blood, MN , Apr 2009: Public Reading at InterAct, PA, Jul 2009: Workshop in Bulgaria, Oct 2009: Studio Retreat, rehearsal at Lark, NYC, Feb 2010: World Premiere production at Mixed Blood, MN

The circus comes to town in this funny and powerful adventure that imagines the intersecting lives of immigrants in a U.S. city. Against the subterranean rhythms of a subway train, an itinerant subway busker, a Liberian homecare worker, a former Bulgarian ringmaster and his wife, and an Indian call center escapee find and redefine themselves in today’s America.

“Happy End of the World“
by Lloyd Suh
The Children's Theatre Company, MN
Project Contact: Elissa Adams, 612-872-5134
Agent: Beth Bickers, Abrams Artists, 646-486-4600
Status of Project: Fall 2008: Playwright conducts story circles with Adoption agencies in St. Paul, MN.  Currently working on the second draft of the play, anticipating it being part of the 2010-2011 season.

This play for children and adults that takes place in outer space is an exploration and celebration of the ways in which we’re all a little strange.

“The Provenance of Beauty“
by Claudia Rankine
The Foundry Theatre, NYC
Project Contact: Sunder Ganglani, 212-777-1444
Status of Project: Oct 2008: Workshop in Hunts Point, Bronx, Dec 2008: Reading at Pregones Theater, March 2009: Workshop on the Bus, Mar/April 2009: Reading in Mott Haven, Bronx, Summer/Fall 2009: Rehearsal for World-Premiere

Originally performed on a tour bus traveling the South Bronx, this presentation simulates that poetic travelogue. Rankine’s evocative text points out and reflects on views that may go unnoticed, complicated places that ask what creates a neighborhood – in a city, in a country, in the world – mapping a poetic cartography of a landscape in its eternal state of evolution.

“John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven“
by Octavio Solis
California Shakespeare Theater, Bay Area, CA
Project Contact: Megan Barton, 510-548-3422 x122
Agent: Mark Orsini, Bret Adams Ltd, 212-765-5630
Status of Project: Dec 2008: Development Workshop in Bay Area, and Community Conversations in Salinas; June 2009: Development Workshop in Bay Area; July 2009: start-up of 12-month youth arts project in Salinas; Oct-Dec 2009: Public Readings and youth arts event in Bay and Salinas Areas; May 2010: Youth arts event in Salinas; June 2010: World Premiere production at California Shakespeare Theatre

A new play adapted by one of our country’s most talented and prolific playwrights, this richly theatrical work, commissioned for Cal Shakes, celebrates the art of storytelling as it depicts comic and heartbreaking characters in search of happiness in the seemingly idyllic landscape of Steinbeck’s Salinas Valley.

Outstanding New American Play Finalists

“26 Miles“
by Quiara Hudes
World Premiere: March 20-April 12, 2009 Alliance Theatre, GA
Project Contact: Celise Kalke, 404-733-4650
Agent: Bruce Ostler, Bret Adams Ltd, 212-765-5630

“Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West“
by Naomi Iizuka
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
World Premiere: Feb. 26–April 11, 2010
Project Contact: Elisabeth Millican, 510-647-2908
Agent: Morgan Jenness, Abrams Artists Agency, 646-486-4600

“Looking for the Pony“
by Andrea Lepcio
World Premiere: Jan 26-Feb 8, 2009 Vital Theatre Company, NY
Project Contact: Stephen Sunderlin, 212-579-0528
Playwright: 212-727-7423
Status of Project: Had a rolling premiere with Sychronicity Performance Group, Atlanta, GA. Feb 6-March 8, 2009

“The Wrestling Patient“
by Kirk Lynn
World Premiere: March 27-April 11, 2009 SpeakEasy Stage Company, MA
Project Contact: Anne Gottlieb, 781-956-6895
Status of Project: Currently premiering

“Inked Baby“
by Christina Anderson
World Premiere: March 5-April 5, 2009 Playwrights Horizons, NY
Project Contact: Susan Ferziger, 212-564-1235 x3142
Agent: Bruce Ostler, Bret Adams Ltd, 212-765-5630
Status of Project: Currently premiering

“Sons“
by Oni Lampley
The Children's Theatre Company, MN
Project Contact: Elissa Adams, 612-872-5134
Agent: Beth Bickers, Abrams Artists, 646-486-4600
Status of Project: Anticipates production for the 2010-2011 season.

“The Hard Weather Boating Party“
by Naomi Wallace
World Premiere: March 14-April 4, 2009 Actors Theatre of Louisville - Humana Festival, KY
Project Contact: Mike Brooks, 502-584-1265
Agent: Carl Mulert, The Gersh Agency, 212-634-8158
Status of Project: Currently premiering

Distinguished Development Project Finalists

“Victoria's Sarah“
by Lydia Diamond
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, IL
Project Contact: Deborah Stewart, 312-654-5698
Agent: Bruce Ostler, Bret Adams Ltd, 212-765-5630

“Kingdom“
by Aaron Jafferis
World Premiere: Feb 14-Feb 22, 2009 The Old Globe, CA
Project Contact: Annamarie Marcicle, 619-231-1941
Agent: William Craver, Paradigm, 212-391-1112

“Dartmoor Prison“
by Carlyle Brown
Goodman Theatre, IL
Project Contact: Christopher Tiffany, 312-443-3811 x546
Agent: Bruce Ostler, Bret Adams Ltd, 212-765-5630

“The Justice Cycle Bridge Show“
by Naomi Iizuka
World Premiere: June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at Grand Performances in Los Angeles. Cornerstone Theater Company, CA
Project Contact: Tali Pressman, 213-613-1700 x11
Agent: Morgan Jenness, Abrams Artists Agency, 646-486-4600