Our next show is less than a week away! Get ready.

Next Tuesday, July 14, we’ll be performing in San Jose’s St. James Park as part of the Summer in St. James Park series, sponsored by the San Jose Parks Foundation. This event is made possible through the generosity of The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in partnership with the San Jose Downtown Association. RSVP on our Facebook page to learn more!

We’re thrilled to introduce some new writers to our series next Tuesday. First up is the lovely Allie Costa, author of “Glitter and Smoke.” Allie is an actress, singer, writer, and director. Her original screenplays and stage plays include Femme Noir, Who She Could Have Been, and Can You Keep a Secret? As an actress, her theatre credits include Spring Awakening, Anything Goes, and Hamlet, and her film/TV credits include 90210, Unusual Suspects, and You Me & Her. She’s currently playing Annie in the world premiere of Alien vs. Musical in Hollywood.

What inspired you to participate in Play On Words?

I’ve always loved word play, so when I saw the submission opportunity for an organization called Play On Words, I had to learn more about it!

Which writers or performers inspire you?

Christopher Golden. Lin-Manuel Miranda. Jonatha Brooke. Brooke Fraser.  Cary Grant. Gene Kelly. Barbara Stanwyck. Jack Lemmon. And so many more.

Name a book or performance that fundamentally affected you.

When I was little, I saw a version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with a brunette Alice and realized that I could play that part, too.

Publications, Honors & Awards:

Little Swan, a Pas de Deux named Best of PlayGround-LA and subsequently published and available for licensing; has been staged in Los Angeles, Chicago, and London
Who She Could Have Been LBDI Semi-Finalist; produced at Black Rabbit Theatre in Canada
Femme Noir selected for GLO 2014, produced by multiple theatres in Los Angeles, readings in New York, upcoming production in D.C.
Can You Keep a Secret? 10 by 10 in the Triangle Semi-Finalist
Tofurkey Day produced in Los Angeles and Chicago, with additional readings in LA and London; named Best of Fest at Girl Play Festival in Florida; finalist for Shorties 2015

Upcoming projects:

On July 31st, Allie’s play Two Girls will be performed at the Clear Lines Festival in London. Learn more here. 

On August 2nd, Little Swan, a Pas de Deux will be performed at The Public House Theatre​ in Chicago as part of Echoes of…, a festival produced by 906 Theatre Company​. Get the details.

Prodigal Daughter, Part-Time, and Altared State will have staged readings at Cabrillo Playhouse in San Clemente, California on August 22nd.

Femme Noir will be produced by Silver Spring Stage August 20th-23rd.

The Intervention Will Be Televised will have a reading at Drama West in Los Angeles on August 29th.

Music of the Mind will be produced in Los Angeles September 3rd-25th as part of the Unknown Artists New Play Festival.