Play-Mates: Find Your New Favorite Play!

The first thirty or so minutes of Home's Kitchen by Maeve Chapman, premiering in New Orleans this June!

Thank you to:

Matthew Raetz

Sam Drust

Jason Grasl

Joseph Valdez

Follow First Kiss Theatre and Play-Mates Podcast on Instagram! @firstkisstheatre and @playmatespodcast!

TW: discussions of sex, violence

The first 20-ish minutes of Jove Tripp Thompson's play, Dead Dog Disco!

Thirty minutes of Marjorie Muller's newest, The Sporting Life! Interview with the playwright is up now on @firstkisstheatre on Instagram. TW: discussions of sex, violence, blood, menstruation.

If you enjoyed the episode, let us know by following us and rating five stars! Go the extra mile and follow @firstkisstheatre and @playmatespodcast on Instagram to keep up with the latest.

A yearly tarot reading somehow ends in arson. How did we get here?? Guess you’ll have to listen to find out! 😉 The admin team gets deep, silly, weird, and thoughtful with this response to our Countdown prompt. After all, we wouldn’t ask you to do something we wouldn’t!

Follow FKT on Instagram, @firstkisstheatre!

November's episode features a short play (in it's entirety) by playwright Alizae Ivette! Thanks to Alizae, Javere Green, and Nadel Henville for lending their voices to this episode.

Follow us on Instagram, @playmatespodcast!

Follow our parent company, @firstkisstheatre!

Please enjoy our Halloween special! Weird Girl Summer By Courtney Taylor :D

Thanks to our actors, Yeshi Berry and Claire Shiell as well as Courtney, for bringing this to life.

Hello theatre lovers!! This month's episode is a 30 minute excerpt from the beginning of the play scars and stains (a frankenstein adaptation or dream) by Matilda Corley Schulmen. We hope you enjoy!

TW: abuse, violence, dark themes

Play-Mates Podcast can be found on Instagram, @playmatespodcast. Please follow our parent company, @firstkisstheatre on Instagram to see our partner show, Artist Crush Discush, where you can hear an interview with Matilda.

Play-Mates Podcast website: playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Howdy folks, and welcome to the first episode of our rebrand as an audio theatre production space! Please enjoy this excerpt from Lily Welsh's play, Manic Pixie Dream Girl. For the interview and dramaturgy sections you may be missing, never fear! Go to First Kiss Theatre Company's Instagram, @firstkisstheatre, and watch our Artist Crush Discush with Lily. Happy listening!

For more information on our actors, please go to @firstkisstheatre on Instagram.

Welcome to the chaos, theatre lovers!

In this special birthday episode, Lee interviews Brynn about their play, "Antidotal", going up at The Brick in April! If you like experimental plays, art about disability and chronic illness, and raw, emotional expression, this one's for you.

Listen to the end to hear our social media plugs!

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Website: playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Insta: @playmatespodcast

Did you know Scott Rubin is making white dudes in a lab for Broadway? /j

In this episode Lee and Brynn get chatty as they discuss what this year looked like in American theatre. From statistics to fun facts to personal anecdotes, you'll hear all about the state of the industry from two theatre artists who may or may not know exactly what they're talking about. 

Thank you all for listening this year, and we'll see you in 2023!!

In this month's episode, Lee and Brynn are discussing A Middle School Play with playwright Alice Nora! Lee tells us all about the context of this piece, ie the year 2004, and talks to Alice about what inspired her to write this work. Let us know what you think!

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Website: www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Brynn: @librarians_daughter on Insta, @librariansdaughter on TikTok

Lee: @leeisthatyoulee on Insta

Alice Nora: @alice.nora on Instagram, Alice Nora on New Play Exchange

In this episode, Brynn is missing her cohost Lee-- but never fear, they'll return next month!

Brynn talks to Lily Welsh about her play, Cope In Wonder! They discuss memes, queer identity, and how her Jewish heritage influenced this play. Erin Proctor reads a monologue as Hildy. Go support Lily Welsh by seeing the in person show for Cope In Wonder on October 30, 2022 at 6:30pm at the New York City Center, studio 5!

Lily Welsh: @lily_welsh2 on Instagram

Erin Proctor: www.erincproctor.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram, @playmatespodcast! The podcast website is www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com, where you can find a form to submit your guest and/or play suggestions. 

Thank you theatre lovers

We're back from a LONG hiatus, and we're ready to PARTY!

New co-host, Lee Harrison Daniel, is introduced via their play "Betta Oh: A Play About Dead Things". Brynn and Lee talk about betta fish, quarter life crises, and mental illness, and how there is always a light at the end of the tunnel (which may or may not be the pipe that leads to the ocean). Liza Bretsher and Jarrett Cordeiro lend their beautiful voices and amazing skills to the reading portion. Thank you so much theatre lovers!!

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Brynn's Instagram: @librarians_daughter

Brynn's TikTok: @librariansdaughter

Lee's Instagram: @leeisthatyoulee

Check out both Brynn and Lee on New Play Exchange! Just search for "Brynn Hambley" and "Lee Harrison Daniel"!

In this episode, Brynn talks about Dear Galileo by Claire Willett. We learn about Galileo, the Vatican's involvement in astrophysics, and the main points of both creationism and evolution. We hear a lovely performance from Lily Welsh as Haley, and discuss why a play that values the interconnectedness of all beings is so needed right now. 

Lily Welsh: lilywelsh1212@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Website: www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Tiktok: @librariansdaughter 

In this episode, Brynn discusses the Pulitzer Nominated play, The Wolves by Sarah Delappe, with dramaturg and actor Grace Walker. We learn about the history of women's soccer in America, sexism within the sport, and more! Lily Welsh gives a rousing performance as #25, and Grace tells us all about the many layers that make this play so amazing that it became a Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. If you like slice of life dramas, soccer, and extremely truthful depictions of womanhood under patriarchy, this one's for you!

Lily Welsh: lilywelsh1212@gmail.com

Grace Walker: gracewalkerswebsite.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Website: www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Tiktok: @librariansdaughter

In this Spooky Season episode, Brynn talks about a play full of terrifying ghosts and ghouls-- Scary Mary and the Nightmares Nine by Amy Escobar. We learn about the intricacies of depression and the difficulties of starting a journey towards healing; Heather McConnell gives a rousing performance as the Librarian; and we discuss the power and resiliency exhibited every day by ordinary people suffering with depression. If you like spooky things, sarcastic main characters, and stories promoting hope through the darkness, this one's for you!

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: 

- SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-622-4357

- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

- National Suicide Prevention Chatline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

- Online counseling services: TalkSpace (recommended by Brynn), BetterHelp, Online-Therapy.com, Calmerry

Heather McConnell:  heathermcconnellsop@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Tiktok: @librariansdaughter

In this episode, Brynn talks to playwright Erin Proctor about her play, "Alternative Canon", a matriarchal retelling of the Sarah and Abraham story. Brynn tells us all about Jewish Apocalyptic Scripture and the quote unquote "real" story of Sarah and Abraham; Lily Welsh gives a stunning performance as maidservant Hagar; and Brynn and Erin discuss spirituality, humor, and what it means to be a queer woman in an Abrahamic religion. If you like comedies with dramatic hearts, Biblical retellings, and queer feminists kicking ass, this one's for you!

Erin: www.erincproctor.com

Lily: lilywelsh1212@gmail.com

--

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Website: www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

It's the Season 3 premiere! In this episode, Brynn talks about something very close to her heart-- adoption--through the lens of the play, CHILD by Abbey Fenbert. We learn the basic history of adoption in America, common adoption traumas, and the evolution of the family; Edie Pierce gives a heartfelt and hilarious performance as Lady; and we confront our ideas of love, ritual, culture, and family as Brynn discusses the thematic messages in Fenbert's work. If you like dark comedy, brutal honesty about hard topics, and happy endings that make you cry, this one's for you!

Abbey Fenbert: www.abbeyfenbert.weebly.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Website: playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

In the Season 2 finale, Brynn discusses "beth" by Alex Lin with the playwright herself! We learn about the origins of the Macbeth story and the details of the Intel (now Regeneron) International Science and Engineering Fair, and hear new actor to the podcast, Nina Ki, give a stunning performance as Beth. Alex and Brynn have a rousing discussion about adapting Shakespeare, writing dark stories for young adults, and how science and entertainment collide in theater. If you like Shakespeare, the movie Heathers, or dark humor, this one's for you!

Alex Lin: www.alexandralinholden.com

Nina Ki: ms.ninaki@gmail.com

Website: www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode, Brynn talks about the play "For Leonora, or Companions" by Hayley St. James! We learn about one of the few women Surrealist painters, Leonora Carrington as well as how autism presents in AFAB people. Edie Pierce, an autist herself, gives a nuanced performance as Nora, and we talk about why plays about the autistic and queer experience are so important. If you like queer theatre, surrealism, and honest depictions of neurodivergence, this one's for you!

Edie Pierce: missemilypierce@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Website: playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

We take a break from the dark topics of the past few episodes to talk about a rom-com for the stage--"to fall in love with anyone..." by Jordan Elizabeth Henry! We learn about the history of the rom-com and some of the problematic tropes, Edie Pierce gives a stunning performance as Roni, and the playwright herself tells us how this play advocates for love, both of self and of others. If you like rom-coms, funny characters, and a sweet and gentle message, this one's for you!

Edie Pierce: missemilypierce@gmail.com

Jordan Elizabeth Henry: www.jordanelizabethhenry.com

Website: www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode, Brynn talks about the pseudoscientific theory that this play is named after, the Dust Bowl, and more! Amelia Bethel gives a beautiful performance as Ingrid, and we discuss dystopian literature that's a little too imaginable for comfort, the connections between toxic masculinity and extreme nationalism, and the radical idea of quiet revolution. If you like sci-fi dystopian stories, experimental staging, and heartbreakingly truthful moments of vulnerability, this one's for you!  

In this episode, Brynn talks to Florida-based director, playwright, and theater maker, Monica Cross, about 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane. Multiple amazing actors collaborate with Brynn to make a beautiful audio piece of one of the scenes, and Monica talks to us about the playwright, staging experimental work, and how to navigate theatre that discusses difficult topics. If you like poetry, experimental theater, and authentic depictions of mental health, this one's for you!

CW: suicide, suicidal ideation, self harm, depression, death, medical trauma

RESOURCES-- (United States)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text “HELLO” to 741741

Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org/

Monica Cross: www.monicacross.com

ACTORS--

Chanel Blanchett: cblanchett13@gmail.com

Edie Pierce: missemilypierce@gmail.com

Grace Walker: gracewalkersemail@gmail.com

Website: www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Brynn discusses a modern interpretation of Faustus called "Fruit in Winter" by Emily Atkinson. Lily Welsh performs as Melody, the demoness, and we learn all about the original Dr. Faustus, queer undertones made overtones, and how societal expectations of success can lead to poor self-esteem. If you like the paranormal, queer theory, and really REALLY dark stories, this one's for you!

Lily Welsh: www.lilywelsh1212.wixsite.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode, Brynn gets to talk to the playwright herself, Alyssa Haddad, about her play, Off-White, or The Arab House Party Play. We learn about the culture of early 2000s teens, the rise and fall of Myspace and AIM, and the racism that Arab-Americans faced after the events of 9/11, and we get a special treat from Breaking and Entering Theater Collective-- an audio clip from their recent production of the play! If you like Y2K nostalgia, heartbreakingly authentic accounts of teenager-dom, and effective discussions of racism in America, this one's for you!

Alyssa Haddad: www.alyssahaddad.com

Breaking and Entering Theater Collective: www.bethtrco.com ; @bethtrco on Instagram

Arab-American Heritage Month: 

- https://www.pbs.org/articles/2021/04/april-is-arab-american-heritage-month/

- https://www.insightintodiversity.com/national-arab-american-heritage-month/

- https://www.womansday.com/life/inspirational-stories/g27195411/arab-americans-in-history/

- http://arabstereotypes.org/who-are-arab-americans/arab-american-culture

Email: playmatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Website: www.playmatespodcast.weebly.com

In this episode, Brynn talks about Scooby Doo, alien abductions, and the stress of teenagerhood all through the lens of M Sloth Levine's The Interrobangers. We hear a lovely performance from new actor to the podcast, Lee Harrison Daniel, and discuss why this play got to Brynn in a very special way. If you like mysteries, the paranormal, and the found family trope, this one's for you!

Lee Harrison Daniel: @leeisthatyoulee on Instagram; Lee Harrison Daniel on New Play Exchange

Email: playmatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode, Brynn covers the one-act audio drama, Three Women by Sylvia Plath, with guest Amanda Card. Heather McConnell returns to the podcast with a tear-jerking performance as the Third Voice, while Brynn and Amanda talk about the virtues of poetry and feminine anger. If you like poetry, emotionally stunning moments, and celebrating femininity regardless of gender, this one's for you!

Heather McConnell: heathermcconnellsop@gmail.com

Amanda Card: www.amandacard.com

Email: playmatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode, Brynn shares what she has learned about basketball and enforced poverty through the play, Flex by Candrice Jones. We get a moving reading from Jehan Young as Starra Jones and discuss how this play honestly portrays the realities of teenage girlhood and growing up. If you like basketball, strong and opinionated characters, and seeing hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, this one's for you!

Educational links: 

http://www.antipovertynetwork.org/resources/Documents/The%20Uncomfortable%20Truth%20Final%20-%20web.pdf

https://playwrightsfoundation.org/2019/06/21/an-interview-with-candrice-jones/

https://berkeleyhighjacket.com/2021/sports/harmful-sports-myths-perpetuate-wealth-inequality/

https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/growing-racism

Jehan Young: jehan@bushwickstarr.org 

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Brynn talks to playwright Andrea Staats about her comedy play, OMG We Ate A Guy! Edie Pierce gives a hilarious performance as Timberlee, and we learn about Mormonism, vengeful ghosts, and what it means to be a queer or BIPOC person in Mormonism. If you like the paranormal, quirky and strong female characters, and dark humor, this one's for you!

Andrea Staats: instagram- @uss_andrea

Edie Pierce: missemilypierce@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

This week, Brynn takes us into the world of the 1869 Colorado River expedition through Jaclyn Backhaus's Men on Boats! Edie Pierce gives a stunning performance of the closing monologue of the play as Mr. Asa, and Anne Karyna Bakan returns to share with us the intricacies of being a dramaturg for a play based on history. If you like adventure and modern retellings of history, this one's for you!

Anne Karyna Bakan: www.annekarynabakan.com

Edie Pierce: missemilypierce@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

It's the beginning of Season 2! By popular demand, the first episode of 2021 is a Q&A episode. Brynn and a few past guests answer some of your burning questions about theater and the plays covered last season. Hope you enjoy it, and Happy New Year!

Guests: 

Anne Karyna Bakan: annkarynabakan.com

Karen Loewy Movilla: karenloewymovilla.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Happy Holidays! It's the official holiday episode and finale of Season 1! This week, Brynn talks about a short and sweet holiday play called "Yule Be Merry or Else" by Natalie Ann Valentine, Jared Richardson regales us once again as James the Jolly Janitor (who may or may not be Santa Claus), and we learn about the history of online dating and love in this modern-day of swiping. If you like rom-coms, silly holiday stories, and Santa being sneaky, this one's for you!

Jared Richardson: jaredcrichardson@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

This week, Brynn discusses the science fiction play, Walden, with it's author, Amy Berryman! We learn about the future of space exploration and climate change, hear a fantastic rendition of Stella's monologue by Heather McConnell, and talk to Amy about what inspired her to write this amazing play. If you like space, environmentalism, and sci-fi, this one's for you!

Amy Berryman: www.amy-berryman.com

Heather McConnell: heathermcconnellsop@gmail.com 

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

This week, Brynn discusses another Shakespeare based play, this one following characters from A Winter's Tale. We hear a monologue from Act 1 of the play from Jared Richardson as The Bear, and we learn about how modern writers can and are utilizing Shakespeare to talk about issues in our current society. If you like Shakespeare, talking animals, and women drop-kicking the patriarchy, this one's for you!

Jared Richardson: jaredcrichardson@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode, Brynn and guest Karen Loewy Movilla talk about Europa by Sarah Saltwick; Edie Pierce gives a moving performance as Alma; and Karen tells us about why this play's take on sexual assault is important. If you like plot twists, surprising friendships, and the concept of ending the cycle of violence, this one's for you!

Karen Loewy Movilla: kloewymovilla@gm.slc.edu

Edie Pierce: missemilypierce@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

This week's episode features Cynthia Cunningham, the dramaturg for University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's online production of Desdemona's Child. Brynn talks about Othello and how it relates to this new work. If you like Shakespeare and art that speaks frankly and emotionally about current events, this one's for you!  

BLACK LIVES MATTER. Here's some great places to donate:  

Bail Funds--Find your city's bail fund at: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory 

Reclaim the Block: https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/ 

The Okra Project: https://www.theokraproject.com/ 

The Marsha P. Johnson Institute: https://marshap.org/ 

SNaP Co: https://www.snap4freedom.org/home 

Contact info for this episode:  

Cynthia Cunningham: @cynn_dean on Instagram, Cynthia Cunningham on Facebook 

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com 

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode, Brynn talks about Ripe Frenzy by Jennifer Barclay; Amelia Bethel reads a monologue from the beginning of Ripe Frenzy as the main character, Zoe; and we learn about how theater can make an emotional as well as well-researched statement on specific political issues. If you are a fan of social justice theater, slightly morbid dramas, and/or well written characters for femme-identified people over the age of thirty, this one's for you!

TW: mass shooting, suicide, death

Amelia Bethel: amelia.f.bethel@gmail.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode, Brynn and guest Dan Hurlin discuss Maria Irene Fornes' Fefu and Her Friends through the lens of Dan's experiences as assistant stage manager for the premiere of the play in 1977. We also have the opportunity to hear a chilling monologue from Part 2 of the play by returning actor Heather McConnell. If you like feminist stories (which if you listen to the podcast, duh, of course you do!) that feature ridiculously complex female characters with a healthy dash of "hallucinatory surrealism", this one's for you!

Heather McConnell: heathermcconnellsop@gmail.com

Daniel Hurlin: www.danhurlin.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

Brynn talks about Skin Song by Katherine Gwynn, Edie Pierce once again regales us with her amazing storytelling, and we go in depth into myths of mermaids, selkies, and other underwater spirits. If you like plays that center queer Deaf/disabled women, and also beautifully utilize seaside myths, this one's for you!

Edie Pierce: missemilypierce@gmail.com

Kathryn Gwynn: www.katherinegwynn.com ; gwynnkatherine@gmail.com

Email: playmatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

In this episode Brynn and guest, Kyrie Ellison, discuss Athena by Gracie Gardner, and Edie Pierce reads a monologue as the title character, Athena. If you love sword fights, coming of age stories, and young women who know how to wield their wit, this play is one for you!

Edie Pierce: missemilypierce@gmail.com

Kyrie Ellison: www.ellisonarts.com

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

On this week's episode, Brynn discusses Erin Courtney's A Map of Virtue. Karen Loewy Movilla gives an amazing performance as Bird Statue, and Brynn does her first episode as host AND expert. From birds and weird coincidences to true crime and documentary style interviews, this play has everything an audience with a penchant for mystery could want. 

Karen Loewy Movilla: @lwykaru

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

On this week's episode, Brynn tells us about Alice Birch's Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. Heather McConnell movingly performs a monologue from Act Two of Revolt..., and NYC based director and dramaturg Anne Karyna Bakan gives us insight into how this work talks about feminism, female anger, and modern society. 

Heather McConnell can be contacted with professional inquiries at heathermcconnellsop@gmail.com. 

Anne Karyna Bakan can be contacted through her website, www.annekarynabakan.com. 

Email: theplaymatespodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @playmatespodcast

This is the trailer/intro episode for "Play-Mates", the podcast that helps you discover your new favorite play (written by someone who isn't a white guy!). In this mini-sode, Brynn explains what the podcast is all about and how each episode will be laid out.