The Playwrights Database
KARA LEE CORTHRON
Nationality: African American
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Literary Agent: Agency for the Performing Arts represented by Beth Bickers
Kara Lee Corthron's plays include Julius by Design (Fulcrum, July 2011), Etched in Skin on a Sunlit Night (InterAct Theatre in Philadelphia, June 2012),AliceGraceAnon (New Georges, October-November 2012), Holly Down in Heaven (Forum Theatre in D.C., September-October 2012), Spookwater, Listen for the Light, Electric Persephone in the Scorpion's Den, and Wild Black-Eyed Susans. Awards: the Vineyard Theatre's 3rd Annual Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Princess Grace Award, two NEA grants, the Helen Merrill Award, Lincoln Center's Lecomte du Nouy Prize (three-time recipient), the theodore Ward Prize, the New Professional Theatre Writers Award, two MacDowell fellowships, residencies at Skrišuklaustur (Iceland), the Millay Colony, and Ledig House. Commissions include South Coast Rep, New Georges, InterAct, E.S.T./Sloan, and Naked Angels. Kara is a 2012-2014 Women's Project Time Warner Foundation Fellow. Her plays have been produced and/or developed at the African Continuum Theatre (D.C.), Ars Nova, CenterStage (Baltimore), Electric Pear, E.S.T., Haulbowline Theatre Group (Cork, Ireland), Horizon Theatre (Atlanta), the Kennedy Center, Naked Angels, New Dramatists, New Georges, New York Theatre Workshop, the Orchard Project, Page 73, Penumbra, PlayPenn Conference (2010), the Shalimar, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference (Guest Artist), South Coast Rep, TheatreWorks (Palo Alto), the Vineyard Theatre, and Voice & Vision among others. TV: writer for NBC's Kings (2008-2009). Kara is a Juilliard alumna, instructor at Primary Stages' Einhorn School of Performing Arts, a New Georges Affiliated Artist, and member of Interstate 73 (2007-2008), the Ars Nova Play Group (2010-2011), 'Wright On! Playwrights Group (co-founder), Blue Roses Productions, the Dramatists Guild and the Writers Guild of America.
Research: Member of the Dramatists Guild of America (as at 2015)
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below is a list of Kara Lee Corthron's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
#tinybirdcries AliceGraceAnon Alice's Tea Party Binge: Short Plays With All the Fixins! Blue Waffle Cave Krewe Dr Oz and the Secrets to Longevity Electric Persephone In The Scorpion's Den End Zone Zepher Etched In Skin On A Sunlight Night Freaky Candy Germ Project, The Holly Down In Heaven Julius By Design Ladybug Gonna Getcha Like A Cow Or An Elephant Listen For the Light Mercury Is Perpetually In Retrograde So Stop Worrying About It Red Sky or Oh Shit Sleepover: Making New Friends Spook Water Tomb Raider: Anniversary Tom's Children Welcome To Fear City Wild Black-eyed Susans#tinybirdcries
Synopsis:
A teenager who has been raised as a girl realises that neither sex applies. A lonely math teacher has created multiple personas online
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Genre:
Drama
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 5 Other: -
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Top of PageAliceGraceAnon
Synopsis:
A curious girl who falls down a rabbit hole. the lead singer of an iconic 60s rock band. the poor, nameless star of a classic druggie diary. Three oddly connected heroines inhabit three separate worlds, playing out their stories exactly as expected. But when those worlds suddenly collide - really, they collide -- they all start to wonder. . . who's really controlling my destiny? Corthron's imaginary meeting of these three characters is inspired by the ways they historically intertwine. It was Grace Slick's obsession with the works of Lewis Carroll (and the drug imagery she found therein) which inspired Jefferson Airplane's hallucinatory 1967 hit "White Rabbit," which in turn inspired the title of the best-selling 1971 teenage memoir Go Ask Alice - published as the real diary of an anonymous girl, but later revealed to be a work of fiction, a cautionary tale by a do-gooding writer named Beatrice Sparks. the production is designed to feel like a 60s-era "happening," an event which used familiar materials in new ways to make participants question their approach to experience. the concept will extend throughout the ample Irondale space -- including the balcony, where audiences will enter the theater through an interactive installation, which explores the backstory of the three protagonists. there, text from their stories mingles with art-school style constructions; and soundscapes and live video create the sense that everyone is a voyeur.
- nytheatre.com
- nytheatre.com
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1st Produced:
Irondale Center
85 S. Oxford Street, 2nd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217 18 Oct 2012
85 S. Oxford Street, 2nd floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217 18 Oct 2012
Organisations:
New Georges
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Genre:
comedy
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 4 Other: flexible
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Top of PageAlice's Tea Party
Synopsis:
A shy older woman quits her teaching job in Morocco when a young a virile American moves into her block
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Genre:
One act
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageBinge: Short Plays With All the Fixins!
Synopsis:
In these short plays food is a character, a metaphor, a Dramatic force of its own. Binding the plays together is a series of provocative videos that address the grotesque reality of today's food politics
- nytheatre.com
- nytheatre.com
Notes:
written by Michael John Garces, Kara Lee Corthron, Sibyl Kempson, Kirk Lynn, Bekah Brunstetter, Mando Alvarado
1st Produced:
Interart Theatre, NY
2008
Organisations:
the Shalimar
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Genre:
short plays
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
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Top of PageBlue Waffle
Synopsis:
A teacher who wants to have sex with his star pupil takes her to a restaurant named after an Urban Dictionary term
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Genre:
Ten minute play
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 2 Other: -
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Top of PageCave Krewe
On a wintry afternoon, two adolescents-both desperately in need of a friend-celebrate Mardi Gras as best they can.
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1st Produced:
Manhattan Theatre Souce
2006
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1st Published:
in 2007: the Best Ten-Minute Plays For 2 actors, Smith & Kraus; Lawrence Harbison edition (July 15, 2008) 978-1575255897
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: - Other: -
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Top of PageDr Oz and the Secrets to Longevity
Synopsis:
After a particularly bad day a social worker invites her former drug supplier into her life and home - together with her husband
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Genre:
Ten minute play
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageElectric Persephone In The Scorpion's Den
Synopsis:
B J is the prisoner of a powerful roadie. It is 70s America. B J hopes to be saved by either her mother a record producer or her father who she has never met but thinks he is Jimi Hendrix
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Genre:
Drama
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 2 Other: -
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Top of PageEnd Zone Zepher
Synopsis:
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Notes:
winner of the new professional theatre Writer's Award (2006)
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Male: - Female: - Other: -
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Top of PageEtched In Skin On A Sunlight Night
Afro-American artist Jules leaves the US and goes to Iceland. She meets a man and they marry and have a little girl. Jules opens her own studio. She starts to get homesick when Barrack Obama is so successful in the presidential race. Her husband gives their daughter a shocking gift. A mysterious stranger turns up at her and all her demons are exposed
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NoPassport Press 2012 978-1300190295
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Genre:
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Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 1 Other: 1 girl
Further Reference:
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Top of PageFreaky Candy
Synopsis:
Two eleven year olds discover love and witchcraft
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Genre:
Ten minute play
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageGerm Project, The
Synopsis:
This show features the work of playwrights Kara Lee Corthron (directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni), Lynn Rosen (directed by Shoshana Gold), Kathryn Walat (directed by Portia Krieger), and anna Ziegler (directed by Beatrice Terry). the four "germs" of full-length plays of scope and adventure commissioned by New Georges for this project will be presented together, fully produced, in a cohesive and satisfying ninety-minute intermission-less evening. there will be a connective thread to the pieces that will take place with visuals and storytelling. the Germ Project is a response to the trend in the American theater toward smaller new plays. "I noticed we were reading fewer of the big (in terms of imaginative scope), irreverent, highly theatrical plays we like to produce," says Susan Bernfield, artistic director of New Georges. "and realized it's because there's so much pressure on playwrights these days to write plays that have small casts and simple production elements, plays that are considered produce-able." In response, the company commissioned four long-time affiliated playwrights to write new plays of scope and adventure, their dream plays, what might be considered "unproduce-able" plays. early in the process, New Georges commissioned four directors to collaborate with the playwrights, to help push their big ideas even bigger, and has spent the 2010-11 season developing the plays in workshop toward this production. "We asked the artists to challenge us as producers," says Bernfield, "and to select for this production the "germ" of their project that includes its most theatrically exciting moments. By producing the most difficult parts, maybe we can prove that these plays aren't "unproduce-able" at all."
- nytheatre.com
- nytheatre.com
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1st Produced:
3LD Art & Technology Center
80 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10006 20 Jun 2011
80 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10006 20 Jun 2011
Organisations:
New Georges
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Genre:
short play
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageHolly Down In Heaven
Holly collects dolls. Holly is a born-again Christian. Holly is a fifteen-year-old, brainy, outspoken, spoiled, tyrannical brat. and she won't leave her basement. She's also pregnant. In this quasi-comedy about a quasi-adult, a memorable teen is confronted with the speeding train of maturity and a host of life-changing choices without time to consider the consequences. Without much guidance from her well-meaning, but inept Father or her less-than-bright boyfriend, can Holly's real friends-her dolls-help her make the treacherous transition from child to adult or will the job require the touch of a special Homo sapien?
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1st Produced:
Horizon Theatre (Atlanta)
01 Aug 2008
Organisations:
New Georges (workshop)
1st Published:
Samuel French, Inc - New York (2014) >>> 978-0573701979
Music:
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Genre:
dark Comedy 120 min
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 2 Other: Several dolls & puppets
Further Reference:
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Top of PageJulius By Design
Synopsis:
Josephine and Laurel are a couple entering their golden years. But life hasn't been so golden since the untimely and violent death of their teenaged son. Crossword puzzles, holiday planning, and squabbling over tea or Sanka are the activities they use to get through their days. When a surprising letter arrives near the seven-year anniversary of their son's death, Jo becomes determined to finally fill the enormous hole in her life in any way she can.
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1st Produced:
Access theatre
380 Broadway, 4th floor, New York, NY 10013 05 Jul 2011
380 Broadway, 4th floor, New York, NY 10013 05 Jul 2011
Organisations:
Fulcrum Theater
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageLadybug Gonna Getcha
Ladybug an up and coming rock singer. On the night of her break through concert her manager abandons her in favour of a group called Blondie that he thinks will be a bigger success
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1st Produced:
Organisations:
ensemble Studio Theatre: Going to the River Festival 2009
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Genre:
Ten Min
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageLike A Cow Or An Elephant
Synopsis:
Like a Cow or an elephant is the story of Kreena, a woman around thirty years of age, who works a job as a janitor in an office building-a job she cherishes-and lives in a house with her eccentric, history-obsessed mother. Kreena's methodical, repetitive life is, in part, due to a mild developmental disability. Kreena also feels trapped by her mother's controlling influence. Despite the obstacles she must confront, which also include a brother in narcotics rehabilitation, a new co-worker invading the private sanctuary of her job, and a mysterious stranger with secrets, Kreena can't help but see the best in all people. In Like a Cow or an elephant, Kreena must travel the difficult path from her safe shell to independence and self-actualization.
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1st Produced:
The Theatre School At Depaul, Merle Reskin Theatre
2007
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageListen For the Light
Synopsis:
the word of God has been revealed to Joseph Smith, making him a prophet to some and a lightning rod to others. In Nauvoo, Illinois in 1844, two of Joseph's flock await their own revelations: Eli, a free man tormented by a tragic past and Lula, a precocious young woman newly and reluctantly betrothed to the prophet. With Joseph facing mounting pressure within the community and within the church, Lula receives a revelation that will change her life and challenge Eli's faith to its very core.
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1st Produced:
Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, Mccall, Idaho
2012
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Genre:
Play/Drama (reading)
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
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Top of PageMercury Is Perpetually In Retrograde So Stop Worrying About It
Synopsis:
When everything goes wrong - turn to your favourite show tune
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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Ten minute play
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageRed Sky or Oh Shit
Synopsis:
Three teenagers camp out after a day spent planting trees. Their leader Mary Ellen wants to have a career in environmental matters
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Genre:
One act
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageSleepover: Making New Friends
Synopsis:
Four thirteen year old girls have a sleepover
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Genre:
Fifteen minute play
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: 4 female or 3 male 1 female
Further Reference:
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Top of PageSpook Water
Synopsis:
An Afro-American ecologist fights to save the New Orleans wetlands. She has problems with her twin brother, a shapeshifter and a cousin who wants to be Scarlett O'Hara. Then Hurricane Katrina changes everything
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Genre:
Drama
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageTomb Raider: Anniversary
Synopsis:
Part of the Wii Plays. This is an evening of original short plays and live music, inspired by the titles of Nintendo Wii games. the selections are: Wii Tennis by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Lila Neugebauer, Barbie as the Island Princess by Tasha Gordon-Solmon, directed by Lila Neugebauer, Let's Tap by Janine Nabers, directed by Portia Krieger, Marvel Superhero Squad by Chad Beckim, directed by Stephen Brackett, Buck Fever by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Portia Krieger, alien Monster Bowling League by Matthew Lopez, directed by Laura Savia, Tomb Raider: anniversary by Kara Lee Corthron, directed by Laura Savia, Burger Island by Gregory Moss, directed by Portia Krieger, all Star Cheer Squad by Jenny Connell, directed by Laura Savia, Sword Play: Speed Slice by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Lila Neugebauer, Bob the Builder: Festival of Fun by amy Herzog, directed by Stephen Brackett, and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games by Joe Tracz, dir. by Stephen Brackett.
- nytheatre.com
- nytheatre.com
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1st Produced:
Ars Nova
511 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 01 Feb 2011
511 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 01 Feb 2011
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Genre:
short play
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
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Top of PageTom's Children
Synopsis:
an evening of short plays inspired by the poetry of Tennessee Williams.
- nytheatre.com
- nytheatre.com
Notes:
Written by Kara Lee Corthron, Gary Giovannetti, Tom Matthew Wolfe, John Yearley, Richard Cottrell, Dawson Moore, Craig Pospisil. Conceived And Directed By: erma Duricko
1st Produced:
June Havoc Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, 1St Floor, New York, NY 10018
28 Jan 2011
Organisations:
Blue Roses Productions
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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Genre:
short plays
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageWelcome To Fear City
Synopsis:
A blazing hot summer in South Bronx. A young man wants to be a poets but unemployment, money and his family on the brink of disaster lead to help break up the local hood. The hood he loves
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Genre:
Drama
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 3 Other: doubling
Further Reference:
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Top of PageWild Black-eyed Susans
Synopsis:
Bitter awareness of absence fills an expectant mother's belly, while the earth seeks to consume her best friend, husband, and sister. On the edge of poverty, might a newly adopted French accent, a Heineken, and a coal mine rescue these four souls?
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1st Produced:
Ethnic Cultural Center, Seattle, Wa
2008
Organisations:
ACT / Hansberry Project & University of Washington
1st Published:
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Music:
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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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