Away on a Play

Last week, I was lucky enough to be at 9,000 feet in the Colorado Mountains in Creede, a town that holds the National Winter Playwrights Retreat through HBMG Foundation. I was there working on my first full play for young audiences, Rajpurr: Tale of a Tiger. Time working at the retreat, the reading of my drafted script and feedback helped me see that all three characters follow the arc of transformation revealed by the smallest character -- a caterpillar going through metamorphosis. 

It was so helpful for me to see everything laid out visually that way, to be pushed to find the emotional heights in this play, and to have the chance to really dig deep into up there in mountainous Creede before the play gets its commissioned staged reading at Boise Contemporary Theater next month. Best of all, the spaciousness of time and that landscape among an inspiring group of playwrights and guest artists was a motivating experience.

I recommend this retreat to any playwrights out there. HBMG'S commitment to diversity that encourages playwrights in a model separate to the competitive market to which we're all accustomed is a favorite part. Another favorite part was our generous host team, co-founders and co-directors Ann Pittman and Manuel Zarate. Beautiful people. 

Another favorite was the view over Creede on a Jeep tour drive to 11,000 feet. Splendid space.