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Rachael Carnes

Recommended by Rachael Carnes

  • Ta-Da or Toodle-Oo by Emily Hageman
    26 May. 2018
    “ What a delight! Imaginative and zippy — Hageman gets at the heart of this embroiled (and iconic) work relationship between a Magician and his... rabbit! Of course! Such a fun idea, so thoughtfully crafted. Humor, energy, even a tinge of vulnerability — This little gem has it all. It's appropriate for kids, but what I really love is that it doesn't pander or look down on them — Instead, it would engage through its quirkiness and commitment, telling a story that can ONLY exist in a theater. This would be perfect for all audiences. ”
  • Cowboy by Gracie Gardner
    23 May. 2018
    “ A delight from start to finish — We need a full-length play with COWBOY! This is why I enjoy NPX so much -- Oh, just a casual Wednesday -- read a little ditty that Relentless Award winner Gracie Gardner put up. This monologue is fresh and inviting, funny as hell, and has Gardner's terrific feel for the possibilities of spectacle. Can't wait to see where Gardner's work leads her. A unique voice with a mastery over the craft. Wowzers. ”
  • SOME AMERICAN DAD: A MONOLOGUE by Asher Wyndham
    22 May. 2018
    “ This nuanced, resonant monologue would offer plenty for an actor to work with — Wyndham defines the physical space with everyday activities and not only presents a finely-crafted, multidimensional character, but develops the language and cadence of the piece so believably that it's the character's non-existent listener that comes into incredibly sharp focus here. There's a history here, a richness and depth - humor and grace - as the writer explores the most horrific themes imaginable. That's why it works so, so well. ”
  • Black Super Hero Magic Mama by Inda Craig-Galván
    21 May. 2018
    “ I'm late to the party but oh my word, so glad I read this play. Craig-Galván's voice is crystal clear, her craft honed. Damn. Now I want to read it allover again. WHY hasn't this play had a production?? Theater peeps — Get on it. This, this right here, is the NOW. ”
  • HAPPI IN IOWA by Asher Wyndham
    18 May. 2018
    “ I've said it before and I'll say it again — Writer Wyndham's voice, his empathetic ear and masterful wit, create these engaging, artful morsels, rich and dense, yet available, and resonant. You know you're in the hands of someone who can build character in an instant with his work. This play was a highlight of the 2018 Inge Festival readings -- taut, believable and imaginative. This play would give any creative team incredible room to work and develop nuance and layers. A fine piece of theater! ”
  • Crashing Through Kauai by Lee R. Lawing
    15 May. 2018
    “ I had the pleasure of seeing this as a staged reading at the Inge festival. Richly detailed, with a delightful range of emotions and powerful subtext, this piece responds across decades of time. Few plays develop out a particular place, as metaphor, quite as well as Lawing's portrait of love and loss. Sensitive, relatable -- plays like this keep me reading new work. ”
  • HAPPI IN IOWA by Asher Wyndham
    9 May. 2018
    “ Seeing and hearing this play brought to life in a staged reading by the Kokopelli Theater Company at the Inge festival underscored for me, among many incredible moments, Wyndham's gift for character development - both creating and then sustaining the connections between the audience and his characters, that seem so real, so fully-dimensional, so sympathetic -- even with their flaws. It's beautiful writing. If you haven't read one of Wyndham's plays for two or more characters, do yourself a favor, and check this one out. It's simply a stunner. ”
  • Hiccups by Ben Rosenblatt
    7 May. 2018
    “ This impressive piece digs through layers of underrepresented characters with humor and grace and engaging drama. What if I am my own obstacle? What if I create my own tension? With sensitivity and depth, writer Rosenblatt treads knee-deep through waters I've not really seen presented onstage. His writer's voice is both charmingly self-depricating and confident. A new Spalding Gray, exposing a vein. Glad to discover and learn from this writer. ”
  • Some Squeaking Cleopatra Boy by Larry Rinkel
    6 May. 2018
    “ A farcical romp through the folly and foibles of casting a show - Writer Rinkel has tons of fun with this send-up of, and homage to, theater and the Bard himself. ”
  • Rugburn by Matthew Weaver
    28 Apr. 2018
    “ Aaaaagghghgh — this play! I hate clowns and I love this show. Delightfully absurd and chillingly relatable. I am Cole. We are Cole. And we're all afraid of this theatrical nightmare — Rugburn. The clown's name is Rugburn! It's perfect. Weaver is funny as all get out in this one. I love the fourth-wall breaking and all the fun business. It has this visual and auditory and creep-factor that would be SO FUN to see onstage. In a line-up of shorties, everyone at intermission and after the show would be talking about RUGBURN. They might also need therapy! ”

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