Introduction to Playwriting: Reading & Discussion with Playwright Kira Rockwell

Join us for a short (15-minute) virtual reading from PVWW instructor Kira Rockwell's award winning play, "Oh to Be Pure Again," featuring actors Alejandra Ruiz, Erin North, and Ebony Jerry, followed by a Q&A with playwright / instructor Kira Rockwell and the actors, moderated by PVWW Founder Joy Baglio, about the craft of playwriting, developing new plays with actors, and what future playwriting workshops might look like at PVWW. 

Play description: "Oh to Be Pure Again" is set during one hot Texas summer at a Neo-charismatic Christian church camp, an idealistic young counselor works to shepherd the campers in the senior girls’ cabin through a delicate phase of self- discovery, only to be confronted with challenges to her own faith. This earnest drama follows their journey to make an authentic connection with something bigger than themselves. An ode to female desire, submission, rebellion, and growing up in a religious culture that's obsessed with purity. The play received its world premiere with Actor's Express this year, and early developmental support from The Kennedy Center, The National New Play Network, and Great Plains Theatre Conference, among others. Kira is a neurodiverse playwright and educator originally from Texas with a trauma informed, healing centered lens that aims to nurture communal spaces that disrupt passivity and empower agency. She is proud to be a part of the Pioneer Valley Writers Workshop community.

Playwright: 

KIRA ROCKWELL (Playwright / PVWW Instructor) is a neurodiverse playwright and educator. She is an Artist Fellow in Dramatic Writing with the Mass Cultural Council, a Recipient of Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award, an Elliot Norton Nominee, and more. Selected plays include OH TO BE PURE AGAIN (Actor's Express); THE TRAGIC ECSTASY OF GIRLHOOD (Boston Playwrights’ Theatre); and WITH MY EYES SHUT (Original Works Publishing). Her work has been developed with The Kennedy Center, National New Play Network, Great Plains Theatre Commons, among others. Commissions with Ensemble Studio Theatre and Moonbox Productions. BFA in Theatre Performance from Baylor University. MFA in Playwriting from Boston University. As an educator, Rockwell has taught at Brandeis University, Wheaton College, and centers across New England. Before graduate school, Rockwell worked at the intersection of mental health and arts education. Through a trauma-informed, healing-centered lens, she aims to nurture communal spaces that disrupt passivity and empower agency.

Actors:

Autumn, played by ALEJANDRA RUIZ (she/they)
Alejandra Ruiz is an Atlanta based performer. Selected credits include Autumn in the world premiere production of Oh, to Be Pure Again (Actor's Express), Molly in Peter and The Starcatcher (Stage Door Theatre), Tiny House (Emerson Stage), Finding Neverland (Teatro JANA). Ruiz was a member of the 20201-2022 Apprentice Company with Atlanta Shakespeare Company. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Emerson College. 

Jean Ruby, played by ERIN NORTH (she/her)
Erin North is an emerging performer in Atlanta. North is currently an Acting Apprentice with Actor's Express. Local credits include, Jean Ruby in the world premiere production of Oh, to Be Pure Again (Actor's Express), Darlene in Honky Tonk Holiday Spectacular! (ART Station), and Sarah Brown U/S in Guys & Dolls (Atlanta Lyrics), among others. North holds an BA in Acting from Kennesaw State University.

Trina, played by EBONY JERRY (she/her)
Ebony Jerry is an Atlanta based performer. Selected credits include Trina in the world premiere production of Oh, to Be Pure Again (Actor's Express), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Atlanta Shakespeare Company), Swing in The Bluest Eye (Synchronicity Theater), and #8 in The Wolves (Horizon Theatre) Suzi Award Winner for Best Ensemble. She was a member of the 2017-2018 Intern Company with Actor's Express. Jerry has an AA in Performing Arts from Hillsborough Community College, a BFA in Performing with a Minor in Acting for the Camera from SCAD Savannah.