"Auditions!"

After the April 28 auditions, one of the plays in the festival is completely cast, and the rest are either partially or mostly cast. Here are some of the playwrights and directors making notes and waiting for the next actor:




That's playwright Ryan McKelvey in red (you can't see it, but his T-shirt reads "They're wild for vaginas in Pittsburgh," from a local performance of The Vagina Monologues); two seats to the right is his director, Jeff Simpson. Pretending she isn't aware that I'm taking pictures is playwright Carol Mullen. And at the upper right is Adam Kukic, Their Town's director, wondering how he got involved in a play that requires eight actors.

Also on hand were playwright/director/actor Wali Jamal and director Kim El. Wali isn't rehearsing a role here - he just had surgery on his knee and really does need the wheelchair. During some down time (of which there was a fair amount - even I considered auditioning), he mesmerized us all with a monologue from the play Pill Hill, opening at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh on May 11.

Last but not least, director/playwright FJ Hartland and playwright/actor AJ Tindall seriously (?) consider their casting options. What I want to know is, is anyone else curious about the fact that the director and playwright have eerily similar initials?


You can also see more photos at my MySpace page, by clicking on "Pics."