EM Lewis
News!
New in 2010!
January 2010 -- "Song of Extinction" published in Dramatics Magazine
January 2010 -- Soapstone Residency -- Nehalem, OR
Spring 2010 -- "Song of Extinction" published by Samuel French
March 26, 2010 -- Reading of "Magellanica, Part I" -- Friday Night Footlights (West)
October 17 - Oct. 24, 2010 -- Playwright in Residence for the Ashland New Plays Festival
January 2010 -- Soapstone Residency -- Nehalem, OR
Spring 2010 -- "Song of Extinction" published by Samuel French
March 26, 2010 -- Reading of "Magellanica, Part I" -- Friday Night Footlights (West)
October 17 - Oct. 24, 2010 -- Playwright in Residence for the Ashland New Plays Festival
I'm Blogging...
Check out my blog for the most current updates on my writing, adventures in the playwright world and upcoming productions!
Highlights of 2009
On March 16, 2009, the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awarded EM Lewis the Ted Schmitt Award (for the world premiere of an outstanding new play) for SONG OF EXTINCTION.
On March 30, 2009, Moving Arts' production of SONG OF EXTINCTION at [Inside] the Ford won LA Weekly Awards in two categories -- Production of the Year and Leading Male Performance (Darrell Kunitomi, as Khim Phan).
On April 4, 2009, the American Theatre Critics Association announced that E.M. (Ellen) Lewis' SONG OF EXTINCTION had been selected to receive the 2009 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award. The announcement was made at Actors Theatre of Louisville during the Humana Festival of New American Plays. The award includes a plaque and a cash prize of $25,000 — the largest national award for a new play. Lee Blessing's "Great Falls" and Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts" were also honored, with Steinberg/ATCA citations and $7,500 each. The award was started in 1977 to honor plays that debut at regional theatres outside New York City.
Summer 2009 -- HEADS, EM Lewis' award-winning hostage drama, set against the war in Iraq, was produced in the Alcyone Festival, produced by Halcyon Theater in Chicago, IL. The 2009 festival featured six plays, all written by women, on the subject of war.
Fall 2009 -- HEADS, EM Lewis' award-winning hostage drama, set against the war in Iraq, was produced by And Toto Too Theater Company in Denver Colorado. Reviews called the play "...a gripping fictional drama that raises important questions about our times" (DENVER POST). "Heads shows us four people, each put in an unbearable situation, each reacting differently but appropriately for who they are. The four actors convincingly deliver the raw emotions of fear, anger, desperation, despair, and denial – but also something more – a deeper look at our own humanity." (NORTH DENVER TRIBUNE) "...I am still haunted by the images that played out on the intimate Denver Victorian stage.... Heads is not easy to watch. The material is difficult, terrifying, and often heart wrenching – and this is the point. If you are looking for an evening of theatre that will get you thinking, that will leave an indelible impression long after the show has ended, and that will move you to tears – then this is for you.... In a season filled with bright musicals and silly comedies – Heads is a welcome, intelligent, and moving drama that is a must see." (DENVER EXAMINER)
October 26, 2009 -- the Ashland New Plays Festival featured a reading of SONG OF EXTINCTION in their ANPF Fundraiser. The reading was directed by Caroline Shaffer, and included an amazing cast, all from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Cristofer Jean, Liisa Ivary, Jeff King, Brad Whitmore, Blaine Johnston, Anil Margsahayam.
Winter 2009 -- Moving Arts Theater Company in Los Angeles, California produced an evening of short plays by EM Lewis, entitled FLIGHT. The evening was part of Moving Arts' annual one-act play festival. Featured plays included LEONARD'S VOICE, THIS ISN'T ABOUT LOVE, SING ME THAT LEONARD COHEN SONG AGAIN, REVEILLE, THE INCIDENT REPORT and SIX BOTTLES OF HEINEKEN AFTER THE SILVERADO.
December 2009 -- A scene from HEADS was published in the Smith & Kraus anthology "The 2009 Best Men's Monologues and Scenes."
On March 30, 2009, Moving Arts' production of SONG OF EXTINCTION at [Inside] the Ford won LA Weekly Awards in two categories -- Production of the Year and Leading Male Performance (Darrell Kunitomi, as Khim Phan).
On April 4, 2009, the American Theatre Critics Association announced that E.M. (Ellen) Lewis' SONG OF EXTINCTION had been selected to receive the 2009 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award. The announcement was made at Actors Theatre of Louisville during the Humana Festival of New American Plays. The award includes a plaque and a cash prize of $25,000 — the largest national award for a new play. Lee Blessing's "Great Falls" and Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts" were also honored, with Steinberg/ATCA citations and $7,500 each. The award was started in 1977 to honor plays that debut at regional theatres outside New York City.
Summer 2009 -- HEADS, EM Lewis' award-winning hostage drama, set against the war in Iraq, was produced in the Alcyone Festival, produced by Halcyon Theater in Chicago, IL. The 2009 festival featured six plays, all written by women, on the subject of war.
Fall 2009 -- HEADS, EM Lewis' award-winning hostage drama, set against the war in Iraq, was produced by And Toto Too Theater Company in Denver Colorado. Reviews called the play "...a gripping fictional drama that raises important questions about our times" (DENVER POST). "Heads shows us four people, each put in an unbearable situation, each reacting differently but appropriately for who they are. The four actors convincingly deliver the raw emotions of fear, anger, desperation, despair, and denial – but also something more – a deeper look at our own humanity." (NORTH DENVER TRIBUNE) "...I am still haunted by the images that played out on the intimate Denver Victorian stage.... Heads is not easy to watch. The material is difficult, terrifying, and often heart wrenching – and this is the point. If you are looking for an evening of theatre that will get you thinking, that will leave an indelible impression long after the show has ended, and that will move you to tears – then this is for you.... In a season filled with bright musicals and silly comedies – Heads is a welcome, intelligent, and moving drama that is a must see." (DENVER EXAMINER)
October 26, 2009 -- the Ashland New Plays Festival featured a reading of SONG OF EXTINCTION in their ANPF Fundraiser. The reading was directed by Caroline Shaffer, and included an amazing cast, all from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Cristofer Jean, Liisa Ivary, Jeff King, Brad Whitmore, Blaine Johnston, Anil Margsahayam.
Winter 2009 -- Moving Arts Theater Company in Los Angeles, California produced an evening of short plays by EM Lewis, entitled FLIGHT. The evening was part of Moving Arts' annual one-act play festival. Featured plays included LEONARD'S VOICE, THIS ISN'T ABOUT LOVE, SING ME THAT LEONARD COHEN SONG AGAIN, REVEILLE, THE INCIDENT REPORT and SIX BOTTLES OF HEINEKEN AFTER THE SILVERADO.
December 2009 -- A scene from HEADS was published in the Smith & Kraus anthology "The 2009 Best Men's Monologues and Scenes."