13th of November, 2025
Yes. Yesterday. (As I’m writing this.)
I had my first piece of dramatic writing for the theatre produced.
The playwright/monologue writer (me) pre-show
I wrote a monologue, submitted it to a call out, was accepted and then a lovely actor and director performed my words in front of a paying audience. In London!
My writing journey has been long and non-linear to say the least but for over 5 years I have wanted to write something that actors would perform on stage.
My MA in Creative Writing graduation was on Monday and on Thursday my first monologue was produced, but it wasn’t really as quick or easy as it may sound. I wrote and performed sketch comedy in Chicago for years pre-2020. Because of layoffs in 2020, I decided to move home with my parents and try to recalibrate. I tried to find marketing work, then UX work and when that failed I turned to the things I knew best — talking and animals. I spent years tutoring English and pet sitting. All the while I was still dreaming of writing for the stage. It was a thought I’d had many times over the last decade or so, but it seemed silly and impossible. After years of dreaming with little action, I decided that I should take my savings and invest in myself. I’d pursue an MA so that I could learn how to write plays. I decided on London because I wanted a theatre scene that had a variety of levels and a tradition of supporting artists. I have learned so much and written quite a bit in this last year. I wrote a short play (about 40-minutes long) and a full-length play (60-ish minutes). I also wrote several short duologues (2-person scenes) that have been published by a couple of different journals. It feels like a good start.
I’ve spent a lot of time stressed and crying this last year. Sometimes it was because I was worried I wasn’t good enough at writing and sometimes it was financial stress. Luckily, I’ve had the support of my classmates throughout. My September Girlies who would read my work and give me feedback and compliments and cheer me on every time I submitted something. Their encouragement along with that of my thesis advisor, Dr Matt Morrison, kept me pushing through.
So yesterday, when I saw the lovely actor performing my words on stage while I was sitting next to my director it was glorious.
My piece, Martina is Breathing, was performed as part of the Pass It On programme from Yellow Coat Theatre Company. I am so grateful for their support and encouragement.
Me somehow sitting in the centre of the Q&A portion of the Thursday performance of Pass It On with the directors, actors and producers
This opportunity was so affirming and connecting. I can’t wait to make more theatre!
I guess it’s time to get to editing older pieces and outlining some new ones! 🎭
Thanks to everyone who got me here and here’s to the next adventure — no matter how big or small!