Parley. A Playwrights' Group

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.

Upcoming

This road-play across the length of the American continent tells the story of James, an Argentine veteran of the Malvinas/Falklands War, who wakes up one day to a big surprise in his living room: Two big black bags full of money.
Two Big Black Bags follows James' attempts to shift his future while trying to deal with the ghosts of his past.

eSe Teatro & Parley present the staged reading of a new play
as part of Represent! A Multicultural Playwrights Festival

Two Big Black Bags
written by Julieta Vitullo
directed by Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth

Monday, April 1
7:30 pm
at
The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute

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The Very Next Evening

Emily has her hands full, what with the ducks, the crow, the hyena, and Deputy Mouse. She's not exactly managing a menagerie, just navigating the pitfalls of domestic life. And there's not much help coming from her preoccupied husband, her know-it-all mother, or her delinquent stepson.
All Purpose Hole is a story of bottomless need, bottomless love, and the fight to save a family.

Parley presents a world premiere workshop!

All Purpose Hole
a new play

written by Susan McNally
directed by
Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth

featuring
Kelly Johnson
Paul Sobrie
Julian Garcia+
Maureen Hawkins*
Drew David Combs++
*appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association
+Parley Associate Artist
++ Parley Associate Playwright

Tuesday, April 2 at 7 pm

West of Lenin

Content Advisory:

Strong language and adult themes.
Brief discussion of duck-on-duck sexual violence.

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This is KELLY JOHNSON's (EMILY) second show with the talented people of Parley. She last played "Jane" in Parley's reading of No Strings Attached by Greg Brisendine. Kelly's other projects include: ActLab's Deaf Spotlight Festival, In the Grey City, with Theater Schmeater, and TWQTF with 14/48 Productions. She'd like to send a huge thank you to Rebecca and Susan for being included in this beautiful and honest story. Kelly sends a big I LOVE YOU to Vandyman, who always has hugs at the ready for late night arrivals home and big vats of coffee on hand for the 'come too soon' mornings as a result of those late nights.

PAUL SOBRIE (LUC) started acting later in life, actually when he arrived from Europe a decade ago. He has been seen on several Tacoma and Seattle stages, some TV appearances, commercials and a couple of local films. Looking forward to do the second staged reading with Rebecca and the first for Parley in Sue’s amazing play!

JULIAN GARCIA (DYLAN) is thrilled to be collaborating with Parley once again. All Purpose Hole is the 6th time he will be performing with incredible Seattle actors and the creative minds behind Parley. Julian is an actor from Big Spring, Texas. He’d like to thank Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth for creating amazing moments, Susan for writing such an engaging play, the cast, and the rest of Parley for always making this fun. Enjoy the show!

MAUREEN HAWKINS* (BARB) has enjoyed a long and varied career as a professional actor on stage, screen and as a commercial voice-over artist. She has also directed several shows for some of Seattle’s small stages as well as for area schools. She is delighted to be working with Sue and Rebecca again on her second staged reading for Parley.
*Member, Actors Equity Association

DREW DAVID COMBS (CONNOR) 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 Narrator in In The Grey City at Theater Schmeater, Paul/Marita in Parley's Magpie and Marita, and Josh in John Baxter is a Switch Hitter at the Intiman. Drew loves to create and participate in new work.

And then . . .

Don't miss the fully-staged production of our sold-out January workshop!

cherubin

a play about Miranda
after The Tempest

written & directed by
Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth

production mgr / asst director
Emily Pike*

featuring
Colleen Carey*
Katherine Jett+

*Parley Associate Artist
+Parley Associate Playwright
Three nights only

April 11, 12, 13

8 pm

$20

West of Lenin

photos by Mark Gladding

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KATHERINE JETT (MIRANDA) is a Seattle-based performer and writer. Her interests include reimagined classical theatre, theatre for young audiences, little-known history, dramaturgy, and highly physical interdisciplinary performance work. She has performed with Book-It Repertory, Greenstage, Seattle Immersive, Thalia’s Umbrella, and Rebel Kat Productions. Her original musical about Bigfoot (in collaboration with composer Adam Quillian), “Squatch! The Musical”, received its inaugural production at Centerstage Theatre in the Spring of 2017 and won a 2017 People’s Choice Gregory for Best New Play. Katherine holds a BFA in Theatre: Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts (2011) and is a proud artistic associate of the DUENDE ensemble. www.duende-ensemble.com

COLLEEN CAREY (CORA) is a Seattle-based actress, teacher and director and producer. Recent stage appearances include: “Storyville Rising” (Winner- Brassy Award. Featured in HuffPost Weird News) and Rebel Kat Productions’ “Coriolanus: Fight Like a Bitch” (Winner- Seattle Times Footlight Award: Best and Most Notable Local Theater 2017). Recent Film and TV appearances include: “The Boy Who Lived Before” (Riverside Film Festival, NW Film Forum Local Sightings Film Festival), “The Scottish Play” (Amazon Prime), “Strowlers” (Amazon Prime), and “The Son, the Father” (Winner- Hollywood Short Film Festival. Best Actress: Horrorhound Film Festival, Best Film: Austin Revolution Film Festival).

Our audience says . . .

"The birth scene, both in the writing and the playing, is one of the most powerful I've ever experienced. I especially enjoyed the different perspectives on truth."
"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!"
"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."

"It was everything I expected it to be and more! Wonderful!"
"Glorious, thoughtful, important work."
"It felt like a very brave story to tell. Such beautiful writing."
"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!"
"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 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."
"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."