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James Elden's Playwright's Spotlight

James Elden
James Elden's Playwright's Spotlight
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  • Vomit, Unwritten Dialogue, Hip Hop Theatre, and the Delusions of Learning the Craft - Playwright's Spotlight with Rickerby Hinds
    Send us a textRickerby Hinds swung by the Playwright's Spotlight prior to the premiere of his "last' play. We unpack various topics including Hip Hop Theatre, being a self-taught playwright, writing without arrogance, earning your audience, and the use of poetry, spoken word, rap, and movement and dance. We also discuss lessons in editing, metaphors and similes, achieving layers, character introductions, unwritten dialogue, and what choreography on the page looks like. We wrap it up with his venue and purpose at Riverside Studios, commissioning a play, the rehearsal process, and his approach to developing characters. Similarities in look and sound to Denzel Washington, I half expected Denzel to bust out and say, "It's actually me, Denzel." I also had the opportunity to catch this play prior to this episode dropping. If you're in the LA area, I highly recommend checking it out. It's a definite crowd pleaser with lots of audience participation. Even if you can't see the production, I'm sure you'll be charmed by this episode. Enjoy.For tickets to The Last Play By Rickerby Hinds, visit - https://www.latinotheaterco.org/thelastplayRickerby Hinds is one of the pioneers of Hip-Hop Theater. He received his MFA in playwriting from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television where he was awarded the coveted Audrey Skirball-Kenis Award for best play for an unprecedented two years. He is the past chair of the Department of Theater Film & Digital Production at the University of California, Riverside and founding director of Riverside Studios. He is a Fulbright Fellow, and his work has toured Romania, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Turkey and his native Honduras, as well as numerous venues throughout the US. His play Dreamscape received a record six 2016 Los Angeles NAACP nominations, winning three, including “Best Director.”To view the video format of this episode, visit the link below - https://youtu.be/nRqv3XWmcAgLinks to sites and resources mentioned in this episode - Latino Theatre Company - https://www.latinotheaterco.orgUniversity at California, Riverside - https://www.ucr.eduWebsite and Socials for Rickerby Hinds -https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/rickerbyFB - https://www.facebook.com/kerby.hinds/IG - @rickerby.hindsWebsites and socials for James Elden, Punk Monkey Productions and Playwright's SpotlightPunk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show
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  • Painting a Room, Masterclasses vs Academia, and the Perils of Liking Your Own Writing - Playwright's Spotlight with June Thomson Morris
    Send us a textJust over the week before the World Premiere of her first play celebrating the Centennial celebration of Coral Gables, Florida, multiple Emmy-winning journalist June Thomson Morris beamed into the Playwright's Spotlight. In this interview, we discuss attempting one's first play, overcoming obstacles, and experiencing your work come to life for the first time. We also explore how journalism nurtures playwriting, learning from Masterclass vs Academia, narrowing framing and foregoing storylines, June's family story and its influence of her play, transitioning form a screenplay to a stage play, and character description and providing intention. It's an inspiring and motivational discussion that proves life doesn't end when one pursuit ends and that all of our aspirations are always within reach. Enjoy!For tickets to the VIP Centennial Celebration visit - https://site.coralgableschamber.org/atlas/events/973263/detailsFor tickets to Greetings from Paradise at the Miracle Theatre, visit - https://purchase.actorsplayhouse.org/EventAvailability?EventId=1801June Thomson Morris is a playwright, multiple Emmy-winning journalist, storyteller, and Miami native. She has spent her life uncovering and preserving history through the power of narrative. Her latest project, Greetings from Paradise, is more than a play—it’s a time machine, transporting audiences back to the roaring 1920s, when Miami was booming, fortunes were being made (and lost), and the idea of paradise was up for grabs.To view the video format of this episode, visit the link below - https://youtu.be/da56vUbTP1ELinks to sites and resources mentioned in this episode - Miracle Theatre/Actors Playhouse - https://www.actorsplayhouse.orgMasterclass - https://www.masterclass.comContact and website for June Thomson Morris -www.junemorris.comWebsites and socials for James Elden, Punk Monkey Productions and Playwright's SpotlightPunk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show
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  • Voices, Overwriting, Stage Directions in Dialogue, and Infusing Your Writing with Heart - Playwright's Spotlight with Lisa Rosenbaum and Ronda Spinak
    Send us a textPlaywrights Lisa Rosenbaum and Ronda Spinak sat in the Playwright's Spotlight to discuss the evolution of their play The Violin Maker from its Sydney, Australia production to its US premiere from its origin from The Violins of Hope through its process up to rehearsals. We delve into the styles of salons, approaching flashbacks and overwriting, respect and valuing while collaborating, getting to the emotion and infusing your writing with heart, stage directions as road maps and using stage directions in dialogue, and the elements of a good director. They offer great insight the playwrights of any level will benefit from. Enjoy!For tickets to The Violin Maker at International City Theatre in Long Beach, CA from April 23rd through May 11th, visit - https://internationalcitytheatre.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=813Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum is a writer and dramaturg at  the LA based theater and arts company The Braid, where she also develops and moderates programs that give voice to diverse and compelling Jewish voices. Stories from the Violins of Hope, her play about Israeli violin maker who restored instruments that survived the Holocaust, drew from her lengthy interviews with Amnon Weinstein himself. She is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild.Ronda Spinak is a writer, producer, and founder and artistic director of The Braid, a 17-year-old global nonprofit theater company. She develops and produces The Braid’s signature Salon Theatre Series, curating more than 80 original Jewish-themed programs and adapting many of the pieces performed. She has developed six one-person shows, including Not That Jewish, which played 16 months in Los Angeles, then went to Off Broadway for nearly a year. Other plays include Stories from the Fringe and Oscar Wilde’s Wife. She is a graduate of Stanford University, and holds degrees from and MBA from UCLA and a Masters in Writing from USC. She is also on the board of the Alliance for Jewish Theatre and is a member of the Dramatists Guild.To watch the video format of this episode, visit - https://youtu.be/HfmBP1d-M2gLinks to resources mentioned in this episode -The Braid - https://the-braid.orgInternational City Theatre - https://ictlongbeach.orgWebsite and Socials for The Braid -The Braid - https://the-braid.orgYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBraidStoriesFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebraidstories/IG - @thebraidstoriesWebsites and socials for James Elden, PMP, and Playwright's Spotlight -Punk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show
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  • London, N.Y., and L.A. Markets, Great Hooks and Good Stories, and Stealing from the Greats - Playwright's Spotlight with Stephen Laughton
    Send us a textBritish L.A.-based playwright Stephen Laughton came sat in-house in the Playwright's Spotlight before the West Coast Premiere of his play One Jewish Boy. In this interview, we discuss the differences in the London, New York, and Los Angeles markets, London gatekeepers and the draw of the London Fringe and its difference to the Edinburgh Fringe, taking advantage of Covid, and the responsibilities and how playwriting applies to the Astrophysics Team at the American Museum of Natural History. Mid conversation we accept a call from Stephen's director and give a live, on-air response. We follow it up with what makes a great hook and how that provides a good story, what British playwrights sound like, stealing from the best, and moving to L.A. to do theatre. Like most Brits, Stephen's a charmer and offers some great stories and insight. Enjoy!For tickets to One Jewish Boy at the Atwater Village Theater in Los Angeles through April 28th, visit - https://echotheatercompany.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200474485.Stephen Laughton is an award-winning, critically acclaimed writer. He has work in various stages of development across film and theater in NYC, L.A., London, Cape Town, and Sydney. He has worked with major theaters and broadcasters including and is an associate artist in the Astrophysics team at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Two major plays coming up in 2025 include: Giants, which explores the controversy that unfolded on the set of James Dean’s last film, set to open at the Sydney Opera House; and Velocity, which examines mental health in the LGBTQ+ community and is set to open at the Hayden Planetarium in New York City.To watch the video format of this episode, visit - https://youtu.be/bSazK8h4ndkLinks to resources mentioned in this episode -American Museum of Natural History - https://www.amnh.orgNick Hern Books - https://www.nickhernbooks.co.ukWebsite and Socials for Stephen Laughton -https://www.adventuresinstenography.comWebsites and socials for James Elden, PMP, and Playwright's Spotlight -Punk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show
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  • Deadlines, Storytelling Through Post-Its, and Working with Sensitive Subject Matter - Playwright's Spotlight with Judson Jones
    Send us a textBefore the World Premiere of his very first play, Judson Jones streamed into the Playwright's Spotlight. We discussed his background in theatre, film, and television and his journey to writing his first play and any challenges he overcame. We dove into hitting  the flow state, introducing new ideas, the appreciation of new works, storytelling through Post-It notes, working with deadlines, collaborating with designers and the benefits of simplicity and justification as well as eliminating and having an outside eye. We wrap with delving into devices vs dialogue, working with sensitive subject matter, writing out of order, and observing the loss of grace in society. It's a very heartwarming conversation. Enjoy!  His play Canaan Unremembered opened March 24th at the Court Square Theater in Long Island City, New York and runs through April 19th, 2025. For tickets, visit -https://www.theatreeast.org/canaan-unrememberedJudson Jones is a playwright and award-winning producer and director who has had the privilege of collaborating on the premieres of Tim Blake Nelson’s Eye Of God, Christopher Durang’s The Vietnamizaton of New Jersey, David Crawford’s Harvest, Bennett Windheim’s Normalcy, Megan O’Brien’s The Jungle Book, Daniel MacIvor’s The Soldier Dreams, and Devil and the Deep with Air Supply‘s Graham Russell. He serves on the Board of Directors for Texas Dramatists, is a member of Actors’ Equity and SAG/AFTRA, and an instructor at the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, Tisch School of the Arts, NYU and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.To watch the video format of this episode, visit - https://youtu.be/IiK0f9MXhlELinks to resources mentioned in this episode -Powerhouse Theatre - https://www.vassar.edu/powerhouseWebsite and Socials for Judson Jones -IG - @judsonjonesFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/judson.jonesWebsites and socials for James Elden, PMP, and Playwright's Spotlight -Punk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show
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About James Elden's Playwright's Spotlight

Playwright Spotlight features a new playwright every episode to discuss the tools of the trade and solutions to the obstacles we face as writers in hopes of making us all better and more successful playwrights.
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