Meet the Playwright: Adam Szymkowicz
Adam Szymkowicz
Playwright
Adam Szymkowicz’s plays have been produced throughout the U.S., and in Canada, England, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Greece, Slovenia and Lithuania. His published full-length plays include Food For Fish, Hearts Like Fists, Incendiary, Clown Bar, The Why Overhead, Deflowering Waldo, Pretty Theft, Adventures of Super Margaret, 7 Ways To Say I Love You, Rare Birds, Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood and Nerve. His plays are published by Dramatists Play Service, Samuel French, Playscripts, Broadway Play Publishing, Original Works Publishing, and have been featured in New York Theatre Review, The Dionysian, NYTE’s Cino Nights, Geek Theater and numerous Smith and Kraus books. Adam was a featured playwright at The Armory’s JAW: A Playwrights Festival, served twice as playwright in residence at the William Inge Center, and took part in The Dramatists Guild Fund’s Traveling Masters program. He has been commissioned by South Coast Repertory, Rising Phoenix Repertory, Texas State University, The NOLA Project, Single Carrot Theatre and Flux Theatre Ensemble. He received a Playwright’s Diploma from The Juilliard School's Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program and an M.F.A. from Columbia University, where he was a Dean’s Fellow. He is a two-time Lecomte du Nouy Prize winner, a member of the Dramatists Guild and Writer’s Guild of America, and was a member of Primary Stages’ Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, the MCC Theater Playwrights’ Coalition, and the first Ars Nova Play Group. He has interviewed 1,000 playwrights on his blog. He is currently the literary manager at The Juilliard School. adamszymkowicz.com
1000 Playwright Interviews
From Adam: "The first interview I posted was on June 3, 2009. It was Jimmy Comtois. I decided I would start interviewing some of my playwright friends. It was fun and I had a blog and wanted to do something different and people like getting interviewed. So I started doing this. I thought I would stop after 50. I thought I would stop after 100. And now I'm at 1000 and I think I'm done for real. I'm just tired. It's inspirational but also sometimes it's a lot of work.
This is in no way a definitive list. There are so many people I didn't interview and some of them I don't know. And some don't want to do it and some I meant to ask and forgot. Or I did ask and they forgot. Or I never asked but I should have. I'm also really disorganized. I don't know how this all happened. This is all to say there are lots of amazing playwrights not on this list. In fact, there are probably 15-20K playwrights writing in the US today. Here are 1000 of them."
Explore the list of interviews here.
Hear Adam in conversation about his inspirations, mentors, what questions he asks before beginning any new play, how he works with directors and actors, his theater heroes and more in this interview with Talking Theater.
More about Kodachrome:
Reviews of "Kodachrome"
"Kodachrome is somewhere between an ensemble love story, a mischievous comedy and a supernatural dream."
NEA Grant for JAW: A Playwrights Festival 2018
We've been selected to receive a $15,000 Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for JAW festival 2018.
Winter Improv Labs
Grow from "yes, and..." to your first completely improvised scene in Improv Labs at The Armory. Take one for fun or both to master your improv skills!
"The Color of Longing" Art Exhibit
Through the run of Kodachrome, enjoy "The Color of Longing," a collection of photographs curated by our neighbors at Blue Sky Gallery.
Behind the Scenes of "Kodachrome"
Get a sneak peek look at Adam Szymkowicz's new play about love in unlikely places directed by Rose Riordan.
From The Director: Rose Riordan on "Kodachrome"
"I like plays that ponder existence through small ordinary moments."
A Brief History of Kodak's Kodachrome
Explore the history of the iconic Kodachrome, one of the first successful color materials used for both cinematography and photography.
Playwriting Class with "Kodachrome" Playwright Adam Szymkowicz
Learn how to structure a play out of found text with Kodachrome playwright Adam Szymkowicz. February 10, 2-4 p.m.
Current & Upcoming
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Adult Class : TWELFTH NIGHT, Before & After
Join veteran actor Joe Costa for a unique opportunity to take a “deep dive” into both Shakespeare’s text of Twelfth Night, and the PCS Production. Participants will read the play out loud as a group, with “intermissions” provided for lively discussion of themes and content. Interested participants will have a chance to act in selected scenes, guided by the instructor.
Improv Comedy: Love, Shakespeare
Witness the Magic of unscripted Elizabethan comedy! Step into the offbeat world of Love, Shakespeare, where seasoned Portland comedians attempt something audacious: performing a fully improvised Elizabethan play based on your suggestions!
Albina Music Trust presents A Brown Branch Christmas
Celebrate this holiday season with A Brown Branch Christmas at Portland Center Stage. Now in its fourth season, this two-night big band celebration features directors Domo Branch and Charlie Brown III guiding a heavy 15-piece lineup of regional and national musicians.
BIPOC Affinity Night DJ Party with ALoSo
Join us for a double feature BIPOC Affinity Night, featuring a live DJ set by ALoSo, plus holiday craft market vendor tables, art exhibits by Albina Music Trust Wall to Wall Sound and Jason Hill's Favorite Things, with complimentary select drinks provided by Multnomah Whiskey Library and Deschutes Brewery while supplies last.
Winter Teen Academy: Scene Work
Calling all teens! Are you looking to expand your acting skills and be the best scene partner you can be for your fellow actors? In this class, we will dig deep into scene study, character motivation, and active listening, while learning the necessary questions to ask in every rehearsal situation. You'll develop fuller characters and deeper relationships on stage by partnering in scene work — and have lots of fun too!
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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