Month: June 2015

Ryan Alpers Reads “Scars”

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Play On Words fans will recognize Andrew Christian’s name from when we performed his poem “Thirteen” in May 2014 at Blackbird Tavern. He was unable to join us because his son Leo was born that very day–Leo didn’t want to miss the show. This spring, Ryan Alpers performed Andrew’s poem “Scars” at Cafe Stritch. Leo was there too:

We’re also hijacking this post to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN. We heart your voice.

Don’t forget: We’re accepting submissions for our July 14th show til midnight TONIGHT! Email us your submissions at playonwordssj@gmail.com

Laurel Brittan Learns to “Swim”

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Just what does it feel like to jump feet-first into a well, when you don’t know how to swim? Today we’re delighted to feature footage of Laurel Brittan performing Pratibha Kelapure’s “Swimming Lessons” on June 3 at Cafe Stritch:

It’s summer–so good luck with all your water sports. Stay tuned for details of our July 14 show at St. James Park!

Arcadia Conrad Sees “Red”

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Have you ever wondered what’s going on in Lady Macbeth’s head? Melinda Marks lets us into Lady Macbeth’s imaginings in her monologue, aptly titled “Red.” Here is the lovely Arcadia Conrad reading “Red” June 3 at Cafe Stritch:

Interested in Shakespearean adaptations? Check out our series on annotation this past spring.

And for all you writers out there: you’ve got less than a week to submit to our July show! You know what to do.

Hot Turkish Story For You

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Women who travel: have you ever had to say “no” to someone in another country? Sometimes it’s not as easy as it sounds. Just ask the narrator in Valerie Fioravanti’s “Hot Turkish Man For You,” as performed by Melinda Marks on June 3 at Cafe Stritch:

If you like Valerie’s work (and how could you not?), you need to check out her book, Garbage Night at the Opera. She also offers writing workshops, bootcamp mentorships, and self-paced tutorials. If you’re based in Northern California, you’ll also like Sacramento Stories on Stage, and its sister program, Stories on Stage Davis.

Behind the Scenes of a Drama School Play

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Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at theater school? Mara Sherman‘s one-act, “Stage Kiss,” explores the flirtatious awkwardness behind scene partners who, um, get paired a lot. Check out Laurel Brittan and Gray Performs reading Mara’s play on June 3 at San Jose’s Cafe Stritch:

Does this inspire you to write? If so, send us your funniest, your most awkward, your most poignant stories at playonwordssj@gmail.com. Deadline for our next show is June 30!

In Which Ryan Alpers Rides the Bus to the Suburbs

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‘Tis graduation season at Play On Words!

Have you ever written an ode to your diploma? Gary Singh has–and Ryan Alpers performed “Sirs Parchment” June 3 at Cafe Stritch, along with “I Ride On the Bus Out to the Suburbs in the Searing Heat”:

Don’t forget to submit to our July show! We’re looking for short, funny, absurd, thought-provoking, surprising content that performs well aloud. Send us your short stories, essays, poems and one-acts at playonwordssj@gmail.com. Deadline is June 30, but the sooner the better!