I was privileged to attend TETATX (Texas Educational Theatre Association) TheatreFest last week in Galveston, Texas. In addition to meeting new friends and making wonderful connections, I presented a workshop entitled "Audition Tips from a Hollywood Perspective". The attendees told me they enjoyed it so much that I hope this is just the first of many presentations. Here's the description:
"Practical, common-sense audition and career tips from a Hollywood playwright/music teacher who has been on both sides of the judges’ table. Learn what the judges are really thinking and how to make the best impression!  Dr. Stephanie Hutchinson has successfully coached high school seniors in their college music auditions. She has also cast actors in her productions. Discover Stephanie’s published plays and musicals, which are produced internationally by high schools, colleges, and community theatres. www.StephanieHutchinson.com "
 

My ten-minute play MORE PRECIOUS THAN DIAMONDS, originally published by Smith & Kraus in THE BEST 10-MINUTE PLAYS FOR 2 OR MORE ACTORS 2009 anthology, will be published for the second time in 30 SHORT PLAYS FOR PASSIONATE ACTORS by All Original Play Publishing (due out in October). 
Synopsis: A single woman turning 40 can't wait any longer for a Tiffany diamond and visits Tiffany's Beverly Hills with her married friend, where they meet a handsome but nerdy salesman who encourages her to try on an $84,900 ring, which gets stuck. 
This brings the number of my published plays to six: MODEL HOME (S&K 2007), MORE PRECIOUS THAN DIAMONDS and SUPER 8 VERSUS BACARA RESORT AND SPA (S&K 2009), CARWASH; OR IN THIS TOWN, YOU ARE WHAT YOU DRIVE (S&K 2010) and CARVED-OUT LIGHT, which is due out in January from Applause Theatre & Cinema Books (Hal Leonard Publishing).
MORE PRECIOUS THAN DIAMONDS has been produced by community theatres and high schools (see my blog about Seattle and Northern California).
I also adapted the play into a short musical, which received a glowing review on broadwayworld.com. 
The full score, including libretto, lyric sheets, sheet music plus cast album CD with accompaniment tracks is available here.
CDs are sold out, but you  can purchase downloads of the "fresh, pretty songs" on CD Baby cdbaby.com/cd/morepreciousthandiamonds2 … iTunes tinyurl.com/8qwby2p
and Amazon tinyurl.com/9xdm7tp 

CARVED-OUT LIGHT will be part of Cone Man Running Productions' "Five Minute Mile-Theatre on the Run" festival in Houston, November 10-19, at the Obsidian Theatre. The festival is unique in that every evening will feature a different lineup of plays. Eight plays will be preselected, six will be drawn at random, and six more will be voted on by the audience (based on a short description).
CARVED-OUT LIGHT will be published in THE BEST 5-MINUTE PLAYS book by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, a Division of Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group (tentative publication date January, 2017).
CARVED-OUT LIGHT is a spiritual dramedy and was inspired by a Lino Tagliapietra glasswork exhibit at the Palm Springs Art Museum. 
Two beautiful vases sit on an art gallery shelf, but why does only one glow from within? 
​Please contact me regarding productions and licensing.

My short play CARVED-OUT LIGHT will be published in THE BEST 5-MINUTE PLAYS book by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, a Division of Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group.
CARVED-OUT LIGHT is a spiritual dramedy and was inspired by a Lino Tagliapietra glasswork exhibit I saw at the Palm Springs Art Museum. 
Two beautiful vases sit on an art gallery shelf, but why does only one glow from within? 
The book's tentative publication date is January 2017.
​Please contact me regarding productions and licensing.

I AM COTTONWOOD: An Opera in Words was given a fabulous reading by a terrific group of actors at Moving Arts Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday 9/22.
Larissa Gallagher starred as the historic opera diva Nellie Melba (above, left). She also doubled as Young George, Nellie's son. Julie Briggs (above right) portrayed her teacher/mentor, Madame Mathilde Marchesi. William Salyers (2nd row, left) played Charlie Armstrong ("Kangaroo Charlie"), Nellie's husband.

I AM COTTONWOOD: An Opera in Words is based on the true life story of Dame Nellie Melba, the 19th-century superstar opera diva who rose from the Outback of Australia to the heights of European society but sacrificed everything and everyone on her way to the top. Dame Nellie was a recent "guest" on Downton Abbey.

I was inspired to write the play by the painting "The Shadow Side" by Maynard Dixon (2nd row, right).

Many thanks also to Kipper Adams (Jonesy the Mailman/Alphonse the Footman), Jeremiah Benjamin (Mr. Mitchell/Judge), Tom Diggs (Salvatore/Bailiff/Stage Directions), Ron Morehouse (Philippe, duc d'Orleans/Mr. Lanyer/Herr Strakosch), and of course to Trey Nichols, in whose Workshop I developed the play and who did the casting. Brava to one and all!

My newest 10-minute play (a drama!) will have a free reading on Sunday Sept. 28th, 7:00 p.m. at Moving Arts Theatre in L.A.

An American Protestant woman sits in the confessional of a Catholic church in London. Why is she there?  And what is she confessing?

Moving Arts Theatre
1822 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles  90027

There's street parking and a small business lot across the street at Fernwood and Hyperion.

Also on the bill is a comedy, KING LARRY, by Michael Wise.

Hope to see you there!

My full-length play I AM COTTONWOOD: An Opera in Words will have a free reading this Monday 22nd at 8:00 p.m. in Los Angeles.

I AM COTTONWOOD: An Opera in Words is based on the true life story of Dame Nellie Melba, the 19th-century superstar opera diva who rose from the Outback of Australia to the heights of European society but sacrificed everything and everyone on her way to the top.

Dame Nellie was a recent "guest" on Downton Abbey.

Moving Arts Theatre
1822 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles  90027.  

There's usually ample street parking within a few blocks, and a small business lot across the street at Fernwood and Hyperion.