Tonight is my play writing debut, opening night for my first one act play
Rise and Shine. We have had over a month of rehearsals and I'm excited to watch my play in full performance mode and hopefully all it's glory. I have the most incredible director, Corey Patrick, who I have to say trumps many of the professional directors I've worked with. My actors have worked very hard and now it's time to hand the piece over to them and have faith in what I wrote. This is quite possibly the most terrifying artistic endeavor for me; as an actor and a self proclaimed control freak, I know what I am capable of and that once I get on stage I can tell the story and make it happen. As a writer, I am now completely vulnerable-I have placed my trust into the actors telling my story and my job is to sit back and enjoy the ride. Here we go!
Rise and Shine a note from the playwright:
Dear Riant Theater/Strawberry One Act Festival,
I have been an active member of the theatre community my whole life: beginning my acting career at age six, and ending up in LA and NY where I have continued to act as well as recently produce. The stage is my home and I have been passionate about reading plays for as long as I can remember.
This is my first attempt at writing my own play. I sat down about six months ago, inspired by the fear that has plagued our nation and the constant theme of apocalyptic images that seem to have dominated every form of mainstream media post 9/11. My original intention was to write a full length play in three separate acts chronicling individuals lives in the future and how they were and are affected by what is going on in the world today. My imagination ran wild with the various possibilities. It seems more than ever before human beings we are calling on each other to be awake and think about how our decisions can affect future generations.
This act was the first installment. I moved to NY from LA only a year and a half ago, and coincidentally saw a friend in the summer act in a play at the Strawberry One Act Festival. Only the other day I noticed you were accepting submissions, and decided to submit act one, Rise and Shine.
Six months after I first sat down in front of my computer to write it, I am fascinated and obsessed, as most Americans are now, with the current election and what the repercussions could be if my guy doesn't win. I am sure this will be the most historical election of my lifetime, and I continue to be inspired by the fervor people have to call for changes that can affect our future.
Thank you for taking the time to read my play.
Sincerely,
Azizah Rowen
10/22/08
