2023 Read and Rant

Athena Project’s Read & Rant program seeks to combine the sharing of theatrical work with the wider public and the new play development aspects of our former Plays In Progress Series while also fostering collaboration between playwrights and dramaturgs. Think book club for plays! Learn what makes a good script, discuss how it affects us, and explore the ways it links to the larger world. This monthly free offering to the community aims to raise awareness of the under-representation of women’s stories on stage.

Each month, we read two new and unproduced scripts selected from a nationwide call for submissions and typically meet every third Monday online via Zoom to discuss the works. Join us to converse with invited playwrights who bring an in-depth knowledge of the works and theatrical writing at large. Guided by a dramaturg, we also invite you to share your constructive comments, thoughts, and affirmations in order to aid in the development process of the pieces.

This month we will be featuring two playwrights selected from our Read & Rant lottery:

Baylee Shlichtman’ s Sonia is Good

A loose riff on WAR AND PEACE about boundaries, self-love, and an eccentric hat. There are three main concerns in Sonia’s life right now:

1. Planning her childhood best friend’s upcoming wedding
2. Covering for her flaky boss (and ex) at the Rodriguez Family Curio Shop
3. Stopping herself from transforming into a tree without anyone finding out.

Then a transient witch shows up and says she can help break Sonia’s curse–if she’s willing to do the work. A potion transports Sonia to a dream space where confronts her relationships and her insecurities to find what she needs to prevent losing herself.

Zoe Stanton-Savitz’s Hazel and Bea in the In-Between

When Hazel and Bea — both elderly women in their 90s — are randomly assigned as roommates in a nursing home, what begins as a contentious relationship burgeons into romance as Hazel is led to believe that Bea is actually a young woman she knew in her past, a young woman with whom Hazel had an illicit lesbian affair. However, in a twist change of events, a nurse reveals that Bea is in fact a different woman but confirmed Hazel’s belief because she is descending into dementia. However, Hazel continues to care for Bea, providing her with love as Bea continues to forget reality. Both women live in the past exchanging stories of their youth. But both are also struggling with what it means to confront death. They find solace in each other as the two cultivate a loving relationship at the very end of their lives.

After you register for a session, you will receive information on how to access our featured scripts. We want everyone to participate who would like to learn more about these talented playwrights and their plays.