The Monthly Roundup

Well hello and good morning to you, Bechdelians! Welcome to The Bechdel Blog, our new weekly feature. Check here each Tuesday for updates on our work, our thoughts on films, plays, and the world, and our monthly Bechdel Podcast, featuring some of our favorite playwrights and actors.
 

Happy Anniversary to us!  Two years ago, on June 29th, we had our inaugural workshop reading, featuring the amazing Chisa Hutchinson. Since that evening, we’ve presented and discussed selections from 31 plays and screenplays that included over 100 new roles for women and hosted two 24-hour writing challenges that resulted in 20 10-minute plays that focus on something other than romance.

At right: The first Bechdel Workshop Reading, June 29th, 2014

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Last month, we presented our second full staged reading. Holly Hepp-Galvan’s Cardinia’s Calling was performed for a full house on Monday, June 20th. The reading was directed by Alice Jankell, and featured the talents of Andrew Anzel, Todd Lawson, Toya Lillard, Brandi Nicole Wilson, and Malik Work. Cardinia’s Calling had been workshopped at our November 2015 reading, and we fell in love with Cardinia and her story. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to present the script in full, and an honor to work with such a phenomenal director and cast.

   Above: Toya Lillard and Andrew Anzel perform in Cardinia's Calling

This summer will bring even more festivity! In three weeks we’ll be hosting our third 24 Hour Writing Challenge, where ten playwrights will have 24 hours to write a 10-minute script. The playwrights will write for a specific cast, following the parameters of the The Bechdel Test and incorporating a special bonus challenge. The cold reading of the final plays will take place on Monday, July 25th. This event is one of our favorites, and we can’t wait to see what our writers bring to the table this time around.
 
Have a happy, happy July, everyone. See you here next week.
Gina L. Grandi
Artistic Director

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