Cycle of Poverty: Part 2 with Sage Martin & DeLane McDuffie
Writers Revealed
In the second and final episode of our special two-part “Cycle of Poverty” series, enjoy a “first listen” of two in-development plays from our Commission Fellowship Program. Sage Martin & DeLane McDuffie read from their new plays which explore poverty and homelessness through BIPOC perspectives. Followed by a conversation moderated by L. Trey Wilson. This Month Sage & DeLane discuss the development of their “Cycle of Poverty” plays. DeLane chats about how he likes to hear his plays and screenplays read aloud. Sage admits her love for feedback during the writing...
info_outline
Cycle of Poverty: Part 1 with Vasanti Saxena & Marlow Wyatt
Writers Revealed
In the first episode of a special two part series, get an exclusive first look at two of the in-development plays from our Commission Fellowship Program. Vasanti Saxena and Marlow Wyatt read from their new plays which explore poverty and homelessness through BIPOC perspectives. Followed by a conversation moderated by L. Trey Wilson. Notes: Vasanti and Marlow chat about the inspiration for their pieces for the Commission Fellowship Program and how their pieces compare and contrast to the work they usually write. Marlow discusses how she explored homelessness through the...
info_outline
We Are Becoming with DeLanna Studi and Jason Grasl
Writers Revealed
In this month’s episode of Writers Revealed, we hear from DeLanna Studi and Jason Grasl, two wonderful writers with Native American heritage, as they discuss generational cycles of behavior and the call to be a beacon of change. Moderated by EDI coordinator & facilitator, L. Trey Wilson. This Month Jason Grasl reads outloud from “That Time Hans Solo Fell Off From A Precariously High and Unrailed Bridge” DeLanna Studi reads outloud from two pieces that analyze traditional Cherokee folklore and how it used to inform our sense of self and womanhood L. Trey...
info_outline
Smelling “American” with Penelope Lowder and Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay
Writers Revealed
In this month’s hilarious episode of Writers Revealed, we hear from two prolific LA writers, Penelope Lowder & Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, about how family, history, and culture affects our writing and vice versa. Also, there’s a lot of Jean Nate. Moderated by EDI coordinator & facilitator, L. Trey Wilson. This Month Penelope Lowder reads outloud from her book, ‘Three Seconds of Hell’ entitled ‘Sixth Floor Showdown’ which takes a look at how colorism is rooted in hatred and can lead to violence Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay reads out loud from a...
info_outline
Writers Rising With Giovanny Camarena and Zharia O’Neal
Writers Revealed
In this special episode of Writers Revealed, we join two up-and-coming young playwrights, Giovanny Camarena and Zharia O’Neal. These two bright and energetic artists share a little about how they got to where they are today and where they hope to go in the future. This Month: Giovanny and Zharia discuss their background and how the settings of the pieces were inspired by where they grew up. Giovanny discusses the origins of the symbolic and iconic names in THE AMERICAN DREAM. Zharia talks about how reality television inspired her play ROOST. Giovanny talks...
info_outline
Write True to You with Zola Dee and Wendy Graf
Writers Revealed
In this episode, hear from two generations of writers, Wendy Graf & Zola Dee, about the way criticism of the self and of art can manifest and how to combat it. Moderated by Lower Depth Artistic Director & Founding Member, Gregg T. Daniel. This month: Wendy Graf reads an excerpt from her GLAAD Award winning play, No Word in Guyanese for Me. Zola Dee reads from “Rain River Ocean”, a piece she developed at CalArts as part of their New Works Festival Zola contemplates the inception and perpetuation of self hate. Zola discusses the healing process within art and...
info_outline
Hiding in Plain Sight with Peppur Chambers-Soraci & Diana Burbano
Writers Revealed
In this episode, two well-established writers and actors, Diana Burbano and Peppur Chambers-Soraci, share their experiences as female artists of color. This month Peppur & Diana connect over how there are no female heroes because women are often the end goal for male characters and their “Hero’s Journey.” Peppur discusses how her observant nature and acting training helps her create detailed descriptions in her writing. Diana chats about her work for Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) and how it was a place for actors of color to belong and be seen. Diana tells...
info_outline
Neither Black Nor White with Velina Hasu Houston and Jeanne Sakata
Writers Revealed
In this episode, veteran writer, Velina Hasu Houston, and actor and writer, Jeanne Sakata, reunite over their experiences losing a parent at a young age and living in the racially nonbinary space of being Asian American and multiracial in the United States. This month: Both writers answer the question, “What was it like to read your pieces in this format?” Velina opens up about how she is treated like a suspicious presence in both white spaces and Asian American spaces, as a multiracial and multicultural Japanese and Black woman. Velina relays an experience...
info_outline
Preserving the Past with t.tara turk-haynes & Joy Gregory
Writers Revealed
In this episode, hear from two talented writers, t.tara turk-haynes and Joy Gregory as they examine the writer’s responsibility to preserve and protect the past. Moderated by L. Trey Wilson. This month: Playwright t.tara turk-haynes reads two excerpts from her novel, LIGHTERS IN THE AIR. Playwright & founding member of Lookingglass Theatre, Joy Gregory, reads from a one act based on true events that happened in her family. t.tara and Joy discuss their acting backgrounds and the many unique pathways into writing t.tara and joy share the influences and history behind the pieces they...
info_outline
A Tale of Two Viruses with June Carryl & Tira Palmquist
Writers Revealed
In this episode, writers June Carryl & Tira Palmquist discuss the two viruses that have been plaguing the world together since 2020, COVID-19 and racialized violence. Moderated by L. Trey Wilson. Please visit for accessibility support and to learn more about each writer. This month: Actor, playwright, & director, June Carryl, reads her essay, OUR BAD ROMANCE, inspired by former president Donald Trump and his toxic relationship with the United States. Playwright Tira Palmquist reads three monologues from three plays. June & Tira discuss how to combat complacency and inspire action...
info_outlineIn this episode, hear from two generations of writers, Wendy Graf & Zola Dee, about the way criticism of the self and of art can manifest and how to combat it. Moderated by Lower Depth Artistic Director & Founding Member, Gregg T. Daniel.
This month:
- Wendy Graf reads an excerpt from her GLAAD Award winning play, No Word in Guyanese for Me.
- Zola Dee reads from “Rain River Ocean”, a piece she developed at CalArts as part of their New Works Festival
- Zola contemplates the inception and perpetuation of self hate.
- Zola discusses the healing process within art and how pain plays into a cycle that also feeds you as an artist to keep creating meaningful work.
- Wendy & Zola reminisce on how they struggled to be creative during COVID-19, despite having an abundance of time to write.
- Wendy examines religion and someone could reconcile with their faith, instead of remaining bound within uncompromising restrictions.
- Wendy emphasizes the value of being approached by people who vehemently disagree with her because she chooses to ask questions that challenge different points of view and beliefs, such as religion.
- Zola talks about black artists who judge other black art and claim that the work doesn’t capture the black experience because they want the art to be something that is not what the artist intended.
- Wendy advises writers on how staying true to yourself can help you embrace criticism.
Pieces Read
- Excerpt from “Rain River Ocean” by Zola Dee
- Excerpt from No Word in Guyanese for Me by Wendy Graf
About Wendy Graf
Wendy Graf is an award-winning playwright whose plays have been produced nationally and internationally. Some recent plays include: EXIT WOUNDS (First Place Gold Medallion Winner Moss Hart and Kitty Carlisle New Play Initiative); UNEMPLOYED ELEPHANTS – A LOVE STORY; PLEASE DON’T ASK ABOUT BECKET; ALL AMERICAN GIRL (Stage Raw 2015 nom Playwriting and Solo performance; StageSceneLA 2015 Outstanding Solo Performance Production;); CLOSELY RELATED KEYS (dir by Shirley Jo Finney; NAACP win/nominations); NO WORD IN GUYANESE FOR ME (2012 GLAAD Award Outstanding L.A. Theater; Helen Hayes Awards Recommended); BEHIND THE GATES; LESSONS (L.A. production dir by Gordon Davidson); LEIPZIG (LADCC nomination; Garland award/Playwriting); THE BOOK OF ESTHER (San Fernando Valley Artistic Directors nominations including Best Play; ASK Theater Projects Grant Award); and her newest, A SHONDA and WEDNESDAY’S CHILD. Graf recently worked with Lower Depth in their BIPOC Voting Plays with her play, THE CROSS AND THE SABER. Visit her at wendygraf.com
About Zola Dee
Los Angeles based Zola Dee is an emerging theatre artist and arts activist from North Carolina. Her most notable work GUNSHOT MEDLEY: Part 1 was Ovation Award recommended and published in Routledge’s Contemporary Plays by Women of Color. Other accomplishments include: 2017-2018 Core Apprentice at The Playwright's Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota & 2018 Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights Diversity Fellow.
Zola is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Creative Writing. Currently, she serves as the Artistic Associate at The Pasadena Playhouse, The State Theater of California where she assists in curating all artistic programming, event producing, and community engagement efforts within the Pasadena and greater San Gabriel Valley area. For more information, visit www.zoladee.com