Content warning: alcoholism, discussions of an overdose, and addiction 

  

     I've decided to share an excerpt from the play I've been working on for close to three years that, although it has a title, I've referred to mostly as my "Grief Play". I started writing this on an airplane flying to my hometown the day after I found out my mom had very suddenly passed away. It's semi-autobiographical and very personal but working on it has been a cathartic way of processing her death. Although not all of the aspects of the play line up with my real life, a lot of the things the main character Clancy goes through I have experienced myself. I wanted to create something anyone could see themselves in but I wanted to also give the space for 20-somethings struggling with the weight of addiction, internalized homophobia, and trauma to maybe find some comfort.

 

     Workshopping the piece with the Storyteller Studio has been incredibly helpful because until now, no one had really seen more than a few snippets of dialogue. The feedback I received has helped me develop a deeper understanding of where I want my characters to go and how they're going to get there. This piece means a lot to me and I hope you enjoy what I've decided to share. I hope to have the first full draft completed by February. The play is called Shrike.