Instead of Drinks...Support the Theater!

I am totally overwhelmed and touched that so many of you want to buy me drinks, however I would love it that instead of drinks you could donate that money to the World Premiere production of THE BULLET ROUND by Steven Drukman. As many of you know, I have received a RACC grant to direct and produce this production in Portland this summer. The grant will go to pay for the space and for the rights, but I still need money for the set and the fabulous talent. Chris Murray, Paul Glazier, and Nasir Najieb are cast and excited to get started. Below is some more information about the playwright and the production. This is a very exciting project for the Portland theater community.

I believe in the power of theater and that it can provide so much during these times; a means of escape or simply a means to examine ourselves. Taking risks relies on support from individuals, businesses, and foundations in order to finance our operating costs. Making plays is an expensive business, and through your generous support I am able to keep ticket prices affordable. Any donation is very appreciated. Thank you for helping my dream come true. You can e-mail me @ megankateward@gmail.com or send me a facebook message regarding a donation. You can also mail & make out the checks to Megan Ward, 2342 NW Hoyt #4, Portland, Or 97210.

Steven is a wonderful New York playwright who had is premiere of ANOTHER FINE MESS at Portland Center Stage in 2003, which was workshopped at JAW 2002 and was nominated for the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in Drama. His work is highly regarded among his peers in the theater community and this play in particular has an important message to tell.

Steven Drukman holds a Ph.D. from New York University where he is an Associate Arts Professor.His newest play IN THIS CORNER, commissioned by the Old Globe in San Diego, will premiere in January 2008. His other scripts include, GOING NATIVE, FLATTERY WILL GET YOU, COLLATERAL DAMAGE, SNOWMAIDEN and TRUTH AND BEAUTY.

He is a recipient of an Alfred P. Sloan Award and the Paul Green Foundation Award. As a critic and journalist, his writing has been featured in The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Village Voice, The Nation and many magazines. He is a former Associate Editor of American Theatre magazine.

Steven is delighted to have his play have its world premiere in Portland. He has expressed interest in coming to see my production and I plan to fly him out here to have him give a post-show talk back opening weekend.

The play THE BULLET ROUND explores the ways in which violence passes between six unrelated characters over a six-day period. At first glance the story seems to be about a white rapper, his violently racist and homophobic lyrics and his rise to the top. However, we soon learn that people are not always whom they seem to be and despite one’s good intentions, they may be unknowingly supporting aggressive or violent behavior. Mirroring the style La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler, THE BULLET ROUND comes full circle and the violence returns to those responsible. THE BULLET ROUND scrutinizes the morals, racism, and class ideology of today and challenges the audience to examine their own passivity.

The Bullet Round was commissioned by South Coast Repertory Theater and has been workshopped at Playwrights Horizons and New York Theater Workshop.