The Drama League is partnering with the American LGBTQ+ Museum to present first glimpses of two new LGBTQIA+ themed plays next month.
A staged reading of The Archivists, written and directed by The Drama League’s Beatrice Terry Residency recipient Ann Kreitman, will be presented June 6 at 4:30 PM at Theatre Row. Exploring the history of the queer archive movement and the need for communities to protect their own histories, the cast will feature Samora La Perdida (My Broken Language), Kyr Siegel (Bliss), and Rudy Galvan (Chicago, P.D.) with stage management by Emily Howe. A reception and conversation between writer-director Kreitman, Alexandra Volgyesi from the Lesbian Herstory Archives, and archivist Stephanie Alvarado will follow.
An open rehearsal of Daddy, written and directed by Next Stage Residency recipient Lyam B. Gabel, will be offered June 13 at 3 PM. The rehearsal of the new play, which delves into the joys and complexities of transmasculine pregnancy, will be followed by a roundtable discussion led by writer-director Gabel.
Both presentations are produced by Drama League Artistic Associate Andrew Coopman, who is curating the post-reading events for The Archivists with S. C. Lucier, senior associate of Public Programs & Partnerships at The American LGBTQ+ Museum.
“For theatre makers, Pride is found in the telling of stories, often those not told before,” says Drama League Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks in a statement. “Ann and Lyam have unearthed remarkable stories from our community that reveal new insights, powerful characters, and vibrant jubilation in queer identity. As these major new works wend their way towards their eventual premiere productions, we’re honored to share them with our community, and to uplift the voices of these spectacular creators.”
As the nation’s only full-time career development home for directors, The Drama League Directors Project is now entering its 43rd season. Drama League alumni direct over 1,000 productions each season on screens and stages worldwide.
For more information visit DramaLeague.org/events or email residency@dramaleague.org.
