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:

Marielle Vizcarra’s Ashes Down the Drain

Suzette’s world is turned upside down when one day, her husband, Jakob, walks in through the front door and informs her that he doesn’t love her anymore. In a similar household across town, Miguel just found out that his wife who suffers from addiction, has just ran off with her lover and is nowhere to be found. While trying to mend their emotional wounds, these two families are brought together by fate*, and they are forced to make drastic decisions about their families and their future.

Maria I. Arreola’s Saving Myself

The young women’s retreat at Saint Abigail’s Church centers on abstinence and is led by the one and only, Sister Lidia. Until now. Rosa (a former retreat participant) finds herself as the co-facilitator and way in over her head. When Lucy doesn’t arrive, Rosa finds herself forced to start the retreat on her own. With questions of her own, Rosa along with Yanet, Hana, Elena, and Idalia try to understand what the heck happens on retreat. Disagreements are inevitable and Elena and Hana, in particular, are butting heads. Simultaneously, Rosa tries to make sense of her relationship with Lucia. This proves to be just as difficult.

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.