Road Theatre Playwrights Festival Playwrights - Donna Hoke

The Road Theatre Company Proudly Presents

The Eighth Annual
SUMMER PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

8 Days! 30+ plays!
Receptions and live music nightly!

This year’s festival will include a 50/50 parity of male and female playwrights and runs Sunday, July 3Oth through Sunday, August 6th at The Road on Lankershim, in the Historic Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood at 5108 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood  and at The Road on Magnolia at 10747 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood  at the NoHo Arts Colony!

 We will feature spotlights on all the playwrights of full length plays over the next few weeks. This week the spotlight shines on Donna Hoke, author of the full-length play Elevator Girl*.

What is your familiarity with The Road and the Playwrights Festival? If you have been here before how would you rate your experience? If not, why did you choose to bring your play here? Have you seen work produced here?

I'm aware of the Road's stellar reputation, but, living on the opposite coast, I've not seen work produced there. LA actor friends have made me aware of it, and I've been submitting to it for several years, so I'm thrilled to have a play in the Festival, and excited to come out and see it for myself. 

What is your process for writing and rewriting? Anything you care to share here as advice for other playwrights would be welcome.

The basic process for both is the same: sit down and start. You'd think we all hate writing the way we all procrastinate! But once I'm in it, it often astonishes me how much I love it. It's whatever drug I need--narcotic, stimulant, anti-depressant, hallucinogen--and works better than any of them without harmful side effects. For me, words are like a giant box of Lego; it's ridiculously fun to play with them, and, even with the same blocks, there are infinite ways to create something brand new so I never get bored. That doesn't say much about process, I'm afraid, except that it all has to start from a love of writing.

What is the value of having your work done here at The Road in California? What are your expectations and hopes for your play for the future?

I get to come to California! I'm excited to meet the Road team, as well as other playwrights, many of whose names I've heard, but have never met in person--so common in the era of social media. I'm excited to hear the play out loud, and hear how it lands with other people--the true test of how a play is working. And I hope this reading helps to give it further life, whatever shape that may take. 

Remember: The Road on Lankershim is located in the Historic Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood at 5108 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood  and The Road on Magnolia at 10747 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood  at the NoHo Arts Colony! There is street parking available in both locations, but come early, at least a half hour before curtain.

Because SPF8 is a fundraiser, tickets are by donation only and are only available at the door! Suggested donation for a single performance is $15 –or this year, try a weeklong festival pass for the suggested donation of $50! 

*To be read Saturday August 5 at 8 pm at Lankershim