Paula Marchiel, Manuel Zarate, Zoe, Damon Guerrasio, Ann Pittman Zarate, Tracy Held Potter

I was honored to be invited to participate in the HBMG Foundation‘s National Winter Playwrights Retreat over the new year. In addition to developing my stage drama “Plastic Nest” with a reading by skilled actors, I was able to connect with other writers including Ali Skye Bennet,  Alice Stanley Georgette Kelly, Jelisa Jay Robinson, Jordan Ramirez Puckett, Lauren Ferebee, Patrick Gabridge, and theater artists including Kate Brennan (of the Brennan Check-In), Nan Barnett (National New Play Network and New Play Exchange), Liz Engelman (University of Texas in Austin, Tofte Lake Center), and actor Damon Guerrasio.

In addition to getting acquainted with the beautiful mountain town of Creede, CO, I managed to make new discovers about my script, had the opportunity to skate on a frozen pond, and enjoyed hearing the work of the other artists participating in this program. After attending my first writer’s retreat, I’m now craving more. Thank you so much to Ann, Manuel, and Paula for hosting this incredible experience.

I’m excited to announce that my short play “Grounding” will be featured in Ensemble Studio Theatre LA‘s LA Fest on Friday, December 8, 2017 at 8pm at Atwater Village Theater (3269 Casitas Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039).

This play is an excerpted short from my full length play “Sweet, Sweet Revolution” which received a staged reading at Masquers Playhouse in Richmond, CA.

The piece will be directed by Heather Robinson and performed by Carin Chea and Kim Chueh.

I’m delighted to report that the 31 Plays in 31 Days Project that I co-founded with Rachel Bublitz and that I’m running this year with Topher Cusumano continues to be a success, helping writers all over the world push themselves to generate 31 new plays in the month of August.

To date, we have received well over 700 scripts for this month alone!

We’re about to wrap up for this year, but we’ll be back in August 2018, so save the month.

Do you need to raise money for your theater or film project, but feel intimidated by crowdfunding? Learn the essentials of how to make sure your campaign is fully funded, so you raise what you need the first time.

At this workshop, youll learn the fundamentals of setting up and running a successful crowdfunding campaign with an emphasis on using Kickstarter. Well cover everything from fundraising goals, timelines, rewards, how to reach potential donors most effectively, and how to utilize the all-or-nothing approach to incentivize you and your supporters to reach your goals.

If youre nervous about asking people for money or skeptical that you can make a crowdfunding campaign work, this workshop will help tackle those obstacles. Every campaign takes time, work, and a willingness to push past your comfort zone. If youre ready to take these steps to fund your project, then this workshop will help.

Running a successful crowdfunding campaign is more than just a way to raise money: its a way to build an audience and a community for your work. Well make sure your campaign is true to your process as an artist and to your work.

Participants who have had prior crowdfunding experience in the past will have an opportunity to submit their past projects for critique.

For more information and to sign up, visit the registration page.

Samples of Successful Projects:

Had the privilege of making this short with Tony Cirimele, Norman Gee, and Farah Dinga.

My new PSA Music Video about the Electoral College electors is now up! Check it out:

This short play was originally produced by the San Francisco Playwrights Foundation for the 2016 FlashPlays Festival.

HOW TOUCHING
By Tracy Held Potter

Characters: Adult 1, Adult 2, Child

[ADULTS talk while CHILD plays.]

ADULT 1
I just don’t get why he thinks it’s okay to touch people that way.

ADULT 2
Right? Like it’s an office, keep your hands to yourself, Dude.

ADULT 1
Exactly.

[ADULT 1 checks the time.]

ADULT 1 (cont.)
Oh! We’ve got to go. It was great to see you!

ADULT 2
Yeah! Let’s do this again—sooner!

ADULT 1
Say goodbye.

[ADULT 2 stretches arms to get a hug, but Child goes to Adult 1.]

CHILD
Bye.

ADULT 2
No hug? Come over here!

[CHILD shakes head “no.”]

ADULT 1
Go on.
(nudging)
Then you can have a treat in the car.

[CHILD reluctantly goes to Adult 2, “accepting” ADULT 2’s hug with arms down, then scurries back to Adult 1.]

ADULT 1
Was that so bad?

[END OF PLAY]

Honored that my short play “How Touching” about bodily autonomy was included in the SF Playwright Foundation’s FlashPlays festival in San Francisco.

Although I’m posting this here a bit late, I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to collaborate with actor and composer Theresa Stroll to make this nonpartisan voting rights musical.

Introducing our fantastic cast for the Musical Cafe Showcase production of Science Fair the Musical!