Make plays, not war.Parley is a collective of Seattle playwrights committed to the long-term development of one another's work. We provide a protected space in which to welcome the unguarded, authentic expression of our differences on the stage. |
The term parley derives from the French verb parler:to speak. Historically, a parley was a meeting between adversaries in order to negotiate an end to battle. To signal a willingness to talk peaceably, armies would run up a white flag.
Writing is a solitary act. It's easy for playwrights who feel isolated to become defensive. Our group seeks to cure that condition. By committing to a process of reading, discussing, and producing one another's work, we surrender the lone struggle and move creatively forward together.
Writing is a solitary act. It's easy for playwrights who feel isolated to become defensive. Our group seeks to cure that condition. By committing to a process of reading, discussing, and producing one another's work, we surrender the lone struggle and move creatively forward together.
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Upcoming.
Historical records have given us only a few things to ponder about the life of Antinous, a famous boy known above all as Roman Emperor Hadrian’s young lover. One: he was from Bithynia, and joined Hadrian’s side at an adolescent age; two: he, at least once, went hunting with the Emperor; and three: he died under unknown circumstances in the Nile. The legacy of their relationship is prominent, most notably hundreds upon hundreds of statues made in his honor, supposedly, for love. Anton is the exploration of Antinous’s life, death, and legacy, and the marginalized experiences and histories ignored in the practice of pederasty. As his relationship with Hadrian begins to turn sexual, Anton (Antinous) finds himself hounded by a callous being with three voices and bodies, gains an affinity for a hot boxer, and is named heir to a throne.
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Parley presents a world premiere
workshop production! Anton a new play by Brian Dang directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth production coordination by Hannah Merrill featuring Drew David Combs Darrin Schultz Anjelica McMillan Julian Garcia Sienna Burnett Sydney Maltese Prema Smith Tuesday, August 21 7 pm West of Lenin Tickets available BELOW! Parley is a Theater of Access, committed to making art that's affordable for everyone. In keeping with this value, we reserve several seats at each performance to distribute to our patrons free of charge. We release these tickets on a first-come, first-served basis beginning one hour before the show. Guests who prefer to guarantee their seating in advance may easily purchase tickets online. |
ANJELICA McMILLAN (SABINA) is so excited to be performing in her second workshop with Parley! Regional: Hamlet (The Horse in Motion), Row Yr Boat (Annex Theatre), Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom (Theatre Schmeater), When a Tree Falls (Parley), Quickies 17 (Live Girls!) Hairspray (Seattle Musical Theater) and the staged reading of Don't Call it a Riot at the Neptune Theater. Television: Portlandia. BFA from Pacific Lutheran University. Anjelica would like to thank her family—and especially Spencer—for their love and support.
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DARRIN SCHULTZ (HADRIAN) is an actor, comedian, and designer starting his third year in Seattle since graduating from the University of Puget Sound. This is Darrin's first show with Parley and he's very excited that it covers one of his favorite topics, ancient Rome. Recently, Darrin appeared as Hercules and Heckler in Kayfabe (Ghost Light Theatricals), and Viola in a staged reading of Twelfth Night at the Pocket Theater. Past design work includes sound for Deers and projections for ACME, both at Annex Theatre, and projections for Rhinoceros (Strawberry Workshop). Darrin frequently performs sketch comedy at the Pocket Theater with his group, Mischief, as well as by himself in a "Choose Your Own" style sketch show, which he will be doing two performances of as a part of Seattle Sketchfest in late September.
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DREW DAVID COMBS (ANTON) is an actor and playwright based in Seattle. He graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in 2014, BFA Theatre, with a concentration in Original Works. His senior project, Book of Daniel, was selected for the Cornish New Works Festival and staged as a reading directed by Wayne Rawley. Favorite onstage credits include The Word in Ballard Underground's Battle of the Bards, Paul/Marita in Parley's Magpie and Marita, and Josh in John Baxter is a Switch Hitter at the Intiman. Drew is very excited to be a part of Anton and hopes you enjoy the show!
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JULIAN GARCIA (THEO) is thrilled to be collaborating with Parley once again. Anton is the 5th time he will be performing with the incredible Seattle actors and creative minds behind Parley. Julian is an actor from Big Spring, Texas. He’d like to thank Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth for creating amazing moments, Brian for writing such an engaging play, the cast, and the rest of Parley for always making this fun. Enjoy the show!
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SYDNEY MALTESE (DECIMA) is, as ever, honored to be part of another Parley production and surrounded by so many warm and wonderful minds. Past Parley credits: About Marilyn and Iguazú by Julieta Vitullo, Little Brother's Body by drew david combs, and This Pleasant Prison by Katherine Jett. Sydney most recently appeared in a reading of Peeling as part of Sound Theatre Company's ILLUMINATE reading series, celebrating works by and for deaf and disabled artists and promoting radical inclusion in theater. You can find her next in eSe Teatro's production of The Journey of the Saint at ACT this September, or at her day job at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project where she works as a legal advocate.
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PREMA SMITH (NONA) is thrilled to be preforming in Anton, she is obsessed with the collision of past and present and this play just screams "aaaaaaah!" She is a senior at the University of Washington studying Anthropology and Creative Writing. Some of her most recent performances include UW's latest production of The Blank Monologues and UTS Improv's winter and spring shows. Tip: if you want to win her favor, she loves herself a good ol' slam poetry and open mic session.
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SIENNA BURNETT (MORTA) is a queer femme actor and poet based in Seattle, WA. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Acting. Past credits include: LIONS (Supporting Lead), director Justin Zimmerman; Parts of Hudson (Foster), director Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth; and The Other Town (Allie), director Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth. She has performed and taught poetry nationally, and her work has been featured on Buzzfeed, Button Poetry and Write About Now.
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And then.
What if sea creatures weren’t governed by their biological imperative? In three quirky short pays, octopuses, seahorses, and anglerfish reveal unseen depths as they navigate dating, mating, and the survival of their species in an ocean of possibility.
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Parley presents a world premiere workshop production!
Gills! Gills! Gills! 3 short plays about mating in the deep by Celeste Mari Williams directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth production coordination by Hannah Merrill |
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featuring
Aimee Decker Stephanie Spohrer Denny Le Tom Fraser Monday, September 3 7 pm West of Lenin |
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"The story [was] rich with piercing insight into the frailties of humanity while simultaneously reflecting love, respect, and hope for our species."
"Get thee to Fremont's West of Lenin Theater before the show closes ... ! The acting is superb, the minimal staging is clever, and the play raises interesting questions." "I left the theater so happy yesterday, my heart was full. What a magnificent play!" "The play, the actors - wonderful. There were four of us, not used to the particular format for a play, that were stunned with the power and beauty of it. Thank you, thank you!" "We discussed [the play] all the way home last night as your words had a lasting effect … It reminded both of us of something you would experience at the Huntington Theatre in Boston. I'm a huge fan!!!" "A beautiful story told with great humor and empathy." "WONDERFUL ... the performances were pants droppingly good. . . . a delight, a triumph, and truly original." "Extremely interesting storytelling and really wonderful acting. The female take on The Odyssey was awesome! Hats off for such a courageous piece of work!" "Spectacular. Truly. ... I was crying from Act I, Scene 1. Kudos to everyone involved."
Super thought-provoking play ... I am still thinking about it today. And my friend could not stop raving ... We are glad we came." "I wanted to thank you all for such a powerful and brave night of theater. I won't be able to stop thinking about tonight's show for quite a spell. Beautiful work you all." "The play was so touching from start to finish, so personal and very intimate." |
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"Go and see this show! It's awesome and unexpectable ... yeah ... new word ... deal with it."
"A beautiful play that I'm still thinking about days later ... simply stunning ... I have so much love for Parley and the work that they do." "A sly and beautifully wrought love triangle that kept my head spinning long into the night, even in my dreams. The acting, writing, directing and audience engagement were so welcome in these times of seeing theater that’s mainly 'good for you.'" "There was tremendous love and energy from that audience. Quite extraordinary for a staged reading, and really fun for the performers." "We enjoyed your play SO much last night. I replayed it in my head and your play 'stuck' with me like a good book or movie. Subtle plot twists, the exploration of love and trust... made me really THINK and the more I thought about it, the more I LOVE this play." "I just wanted to tell you all how much I loved both the engaging play and the emotionally charged acting. You've all got a great thing going with Parley!" "[The play was] an existential truth-telling gem. Thank you for the deeply poignant writing and the brilliant performances." "Your play was excellent. You really have something there that a lot of people will identify with. Thank you for telling the story." "Your ability to skewer religion while remaining kind and respectful to the humans involved is an astounding skill. I look forward to many more engaging plays."
"The actors were great! The production was smart, and told the story well. Most of all, I wanted to say how impressive it is that you've accomplished 30 world premieres! That really is a contribution to the Seattle theater scene. I look forward to future productions." "I could, honest-to-God, see that play making its way out into theaters around the country." |
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© 2014, Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth