Author Archives: Thom Haynes

Here’s the CPF Facebook Live stream of “Ms or Mr PlaySlam 2020 – Announcement of Winner!”. Congrats to Mr. PlaySlam 2020 Mike Brannon!

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There was a Facebook Live broadcast Tues May 26 at 7:30pm from the CPF FB page! A random emcee set the scene and then got hooked offstage…

This was followed by a Watch Party at 8pm – 18 three-min plays (pre-recorded Zoom videos) one right after the other (we took a 5-min break after play 9)… crazy man… lasted 90 minutes. Not ideal, but, desperate times call for desperate measures, correct?! Many of the writer/directors and actors joined us in the Watch Party audience, to also view and laugh and write pithy remarks in the chat as their fellow artists performed.

We had downloadable sheets to help you remember which you really liked, which you didn’t, and keep track of any comments you might have had. Here’s a DOC (or PDF) for the front 9, and another DOC (PDF) for the back 9, duffer.

After the Watch Party you can still watch it (and the Live intro) as a recorded event. You are also able to watch it as a YouTube playlist, or as individual play links – the links have been added to the play titles below.

Here’s the link to the voting form we used (too late now to vote!).

You should’ve NOT told anyone if you knew who wrote any play, the fun and fairness of this is if the voters do not know who wrote the plays.

Voting ended Jun 14. A Facebook Live event was held Jun 16 to reveal the WINNER of a benjamin ($100) and all the honor and prestige that goes with being Ms or Mr PlaySlam 2020!

Questions? Producer: thom.haynes@caryplaywrightsforum.org

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Here’s the Facebook event.

This year’s theme: no theme!

THE PLAYS (in the order of recommended viewing):

Can I Interest You – “They’re selling, but she ain’t buying.” – written and directed by April Giancola, featuring Erica Heilmann, Sarianna Gregg, Thom Haynes, and Michelle Corbitt

This is Just to Say – “William Carlos Williams, doctor/poet, pays a price for one of his most famous poems.” – written and directed by Eric Weil, featuring Jeri McKee and David Klionsky

The Next Big Square Thing – “What every Broadway show needs: musical numbers.” – written and directed by John Paul Middlesworth, featuring Aliza Inbari, Susie Pratt, and Ellie Torre

You Have To See It To Believe It – “Come on down to the Invisibility Shop, where they have deals so amazing – you won’t believe your eyes!” – written and directed by Mike Brannon, featuring Alice Osborn and Jeri McKee

Dog Do You – “A mediation between a pet owner and the tenant’s association of an apartment complex regarding an ‘unauthorized deposit’, goes awry.” – written and directed by Patrick Raynor, featuring Stephanie Simon, Aliza Inbari, and Gerald Rubin

baggAge – “Putting the ‘Age’ in baggage as you get older.” – written and directed by Rishi Chowdhary, featuring Michael Bacigalupo and Susie Pratt

Hot Tub For Mango – “9-year old Julia is told that her pet project isn’t up to code.” – written and directed by Stephen Bydal, featuring Gina McKenzie and Jessica Regehr

Marvel Pitch Meeting – “The cape is mightier than the pen.” – written and directed by Tom Reilly, featuring Ellie Torre, Gina McKenzie, and Thom Haynes

Hide and Go Seek – “Who will get the ultimate hiding spot before it’s too late?” – written and directed by Lydia Middlesworth, featuring Dylan Bailey and Stephanie Turner

The Sidelines – “You’re never too young to go pro.” – written and directed by April Giancola, featuring Erica Heilmann and Cassandra Wladyslava

Mustard or Mayonnaise – “The right condiment can make or break a sandwich — or a marriage.” – written and directed by Eric Weil, featuring Joanna LaForgia and David Klionsky

PBM – “The loss of a pet can be hard, but sometimes it can be soft.” – written and directed by John Paul Middlesworth, featuring Sarianna Gregg, Michelle Corbitt, Stephanie Turner, and Jessica Regehr

Herschel and Mamie – “He likes to say that he has been happily married to his wife for twenty good years – twenty out of fifty.” – written and directed by Mike Brannon, featuring Gerald Rubin and Joanna LaForgia

Begin Again – “Alfred is retired and finally able to do things on his Bucket List; his wife June shows her support…” – written and directed by Patrick Raynor, featuring Sarianna Gregg and David Klionsky

aRttraction – “Two strangers meet at a wine and design class and find themselves engaged… in aRttraction.” – written and directed by Rishi Chowdhary, featuring Cassandra Wladyslava and Dylan Bailey

Karl With A K – “It’s tough to find people on the same plane.” – written and directed by Stephen Bydal, featuring Stephanie Simon, David Klionsky, and Stephanie Turner

Marvel Presents: Family Endgame – * Watch this one AFTER watching “Marvel Pitch Meeting” ! * – “Anyone who says that Marvel Studios can do no wrong has yet to see this movie trailer.” – written and directed by Tom Reilly, featuring Michelle Corbitt, Michael Bacigalupo, Jessica Regehr, Ellie Torre, and Thom Haynes

Brush Strokes – “Thoughts speak louder than words at the art museum.” – written and directed by Lydia Middlesworth, featuring Jessica Regehr, Alice Osborn, Thom Haynes, and Dylan Bailey

Questions? Ask the producer Thom Haynes

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The plays are directed by the writers!

This will be a high-energy hot mess of an evening, with loads of crazy fun and organized chaos.

WRITER/DIRECTORS: 9 (out of 20 submissions by NC writers of original work)

April Giancola
Eric Weil
John Paul Middlesworth
Lydia Middlesworth (3rd)
Mike Brannon (1st)
Patrick Raynor
Rishi Chowdhary (2nd)
Stephen Bydal
Tom Reilly (4th)

ACTORS: 19

Alice Osborn
Aliza Inbari
Cassandra Wladyslava
David Klionsky
Dylan Bailey
Ellie Torre
Erica Heilmann
Gerald Rubin
Gina Mckenzie
Jeri McKee
Jessica Regehr
Joanna La Forgia
Michael Bacigalupo
Michelle Corbitt
Sarianna Gregg
Stephanie Simon
Stephanie Turner
Susie Pratt
Thom Haynes

Each person will be in 2-4 of the 18 plays. 46 roles!

Check out:

• May the Fourth PlaySlam Be With You!
• Grandchild of PlaySlam
• Son of PlaySlam
• PlaySlam!

Staged readings of 7 (not 8 this time) more plays from the Bar Plays 5.0 script selection process! A FREE event (no donations), with a chance to provide feedback to the writers.

We’ll again be in Fortnight’s private room “Terminal B”. Take the subway in and avoid the parking concerns 🙂 1006 SW Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Food truck 5-9pm “Ama’Gees Jamaican Cuisine”

Bonus – Tuesdays are $7 6-pack nights at Fortnight!

Disenchanted, by Shelley Stolaroff Segal, directed by Nicola Lefler, narrated by Nicola Lefler, actors Stephanie Turner, Christopher Bynum, Ellie Torre

Family Business, by Ken Walsh, directed by Nan Stephenson, narrated by Nan Stephenson, actors Madison Lahey, Stephanie Turner, Tom Imler, Joe Campo

Glassy Eyed, by Keith A. Kenel, directed by Keith Kenel, narrated by Keith Kenel, actors Meg Kessinger, Tom Imler, Alison Takacs

Last Call, by Andrea (Andy) Rassler, directed by Thom Haynes, narrated by Thom Haynes, actors Jackie Wrobel, Mary Rowland, Alice Osborn, Thom Haynes

New and Forever, by Linda Dintaman Martin, directed by Joe Campo, narrated by Joe Campo, actors Thom Haynes, Dylan Bailey, Keith Kenel, Christopher Bynum

Once Upon a Donner Party, by Alice Osborn, directed by Kurt Benrud, narrated by Ellie Torre, actors Marina Enslen, Bruce Rosenbloom, Sandra Shelton

Second Coming, by Jeff Stewart, directed by Salinda Tyson, narrated by Salinda Tyson, actors Stephanie C. Simon, Jim O’Brien, Joanna La Forgia

If you want to read any of the plays beforehand, or read them DURING the readings, or after (for a few days), you can access them here. This is copyrighted material, please delete/trash after.

And here’s the Facebook event for 5.2. Invite your friends!

See Bar Plays 5.0 for info on the Nov 2019 show, and Bar Plays 5.1 for info on the Jan 2020 show.

Producers: Thom Haynes & Kurt Benrud

If driving to Fortnight here are some options for parking if the regular lot is full!

1) the backroad that runs past their dumpsters in the back of Fortnight’s parking lot

2) The Kennels (to the right) that share a road with Fortnight just as you turn in

3) Mayfair Animal vet (the other side of the railroad track from Fortnight, off Maynard)

4) Streets of Antique London which is just down W Chatham towards downtown Cary

Staged readings of 8 more plays from the Bar Plays 5.0 script selection process! A FREE event (no donations), with a chance to provide feedback to the writers.

Featuring actors who were not cast for 5.0, directors not picked, playwrights, selection committee members, board members and others who helped with the production of 5.0.

We’ll again be in Fortnight’s private room “Terminal B”. Take the subway in and avoid the parking concerns 🙂 1006 SW Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Food truck 5-9pm “Off the Hog”

Bonus – Tuesdays are $7 6-pack nights at Fortnight!

Mind the Gap, by Rishi Chowdhary, directed by Sarianna Gregg, narrated by Sarianna Gregg, actors Tom Reilly, Seema Kukreja, Larry Bliss, Jocelyn Rose

C-4, by Marilynn Barner Anselmi, directed by Lucinda Gainey, narrated by Madison Doss, actors Seema Kukreja, Christine Rogers, Stephanie Holloman

Dead Broke Soul, by Jeremy Fisher, directed by Marcia Sofley, narrated by Erica Heilmann, actors Jackie Wrobel, Bob O’Connell, Alice Osborn

The Wood Anniversary, by Eric Weil, directed by Mike Brannon, narrated by Mike Brannon, actors Megan Woronka, Michael Shannon

A Not-So-Empty Bar, by Madison Doss, directed by Bob O’Connell, narrated by Thomas Imler, actors Jackie Wrobel, Evan Mercer, Marina Enslen

Magical Little Elves, by Mike Brannon, directed by Gray Rodgers, narrated by Joanna La Forgia, actors Salinda Tyson, Keith Kenel, Thom Haynes

Shady Pines, by April Giancola, directed by Chris Morris, narrated by Chris Morris, actors Keith Kenel, Joanna La Forgia, Cynthia Mandese

Bar None, by Salinda Tyson, directed by Kurt Benrud, narrated by Bruce Rosenbloom, actors Jim Johnson, Tom Imler, Alice Osborn, Michael Shannon

Here’s an interview with one of the Bar Plays 5.1 producers, Thom Haynes, on Wayne Leonard’s weekly Triangle theatre radio show. Starts at 43:50 (15 mins).

And here’s the Facebook event for 5.1. Invite your friends!

See Bar Plays 5.0 for info on the Nov 2019 show.

Producers: Thom Haynes & Kurt Benrud

We are proud and excited to announce the return of the return of the return of this super-fun and mega-exciting venture from four years ago! The show will be produced Tue-Thu 8pm Nov 12-14 2019 at Cary’s “Fortnight Brewing” (1006 SW Maynard Rd. 27511). Admission will be by donation (suggested: $10 cash – no tickets or reservations, just come on out! PG13).

Online Dating, by Doug Simpson, directed by Noelle Azarelo, actors Mia Peters and Sean Wellington

No Clue, by John Paul Middlesworth, directed by Nicola Lefler, actors Kaddie Sharpe, Laura Arwood, Michael Sean Parker and Susie Pratt

A Rabbit Walks into a Bar, by Tim Wiest, directed by Michael Sean Parker, actors Jim O’Brien, Robert Richardson and Sarah Richardson

Pint Night, by Jenny Marconyak, directed by Michelle Corbitt, actors Emily Chiola, Jessica Wadsack-Stewart, Mark Chedgy, Nick Iammatteo and David McEwen

The Experience, by Clinton Festa, directed by Mia Peters, actors Carla Reck, Sean Brosnahan, Emily Chiola and Jim O’Brien

Spermazon, by Sarianna Gregg, directed by Pam McClure, actors Emily Levinstone and Erica Heilmann

Ten Year Reunion, by Tom Reilly, directed by Fred Corlett, actors Bruce Rosenbloom, Jackie Wrobel, David McEwen and Michael Bacigalupo

The Signal, by Stephen Bydal, directed by Kurt Benrud, actors Joe Campo and Michael Teague

Monologues:

In a Name, by Keith Kenel, directed by Kurt Benrud, actor Christopher Blackwell

One Day, by Stephanie Turner, directed by Kurt Benrud, actor Dave McEwen

“Come grab a drink at your local bar and watch a variety of plays unfold right before your eyes! Some will be over before you finish your drink; others will have you calling for another round. All are guaranteed to leave you buzzed.”

Come early and partake from the food truck!
11/12: Beefy Buns, 11/13: Arepa Culture, 11/14: El Jefecito

Listen to the producers Kurt Benrud and Laura Arwood be interviewed by Wayne Leonard (Hillsborough radio 104.7 “Lights Up!” WHUP)! The 15 min interview starts at min 45.