Talkin' Theatre
What is Talkin' Theatre?
TALKIN' THEATRE is a new play development program produced by Daisy Theatricals. Talkin’ Theatre consists of a group of developers, (including actors, directors, dramaturgs, and more,) who help to develop a singular work by a playwright over the course of 4-6 weekly meetings. At the end of this process, the playwright can opt to have their piece produced and presented by members of Talkin’ Theatre as a staged reading.
If you are interested in submitting a script for consideration, please fill out the Google Form found below. If you have any questions, please contact us at daisytheatricals@gmail.com.
Past Talkin' Theatre Projects
Directed by Hannah Katz
Dramaturgy by Allyson Broyles
Sound Design by Katie Brown
Featuring
Rachel Sabo Hedges as Eva
Sophie Mings as Brenda
Conor Andrew Hall as Scott
MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL follows Scott, a self-described playwright, meets his muse in the young poetry student Eva. As he crafts what he thinks will be his masterpiece around this new love interest, Eva's personality refuses to be flattened by his idealized version of their horrific pseudo-relationship.
MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL was workshopped by a developmental cohort and presented as a staged reading with Talkin' Theatre on July 13th, 2023.
Directed by Maggie Dunn
Dramaturgy by Allyson Broyles
Sound Design by Katie Brown
Featuring
Kendall Dodd as Catherine
Hyten Davidson as Sofia
Sanders Markham as Elizabeth
Erin Graham as Michelle
Jean Gordon as Jo
CONFIRMED is a play that follows a group of 14-year-old girls as they scramble to finish their volunteer requirements in the weeks leading up to their Confirmation and formal designation as adults in the Catholic Church. As they write greeting cards, stuff envelopes, and glue macaroni pasta, they also question what it means to be a good person, when you finally gain the wisdom that comes with being an adult, and how they fit into an institution that values good deeds on principle while not supporting LGBTQ rights in practice. While the story is told through a religious lens, the central themes are less about Catholicism and more about the pressures of growing into yourself and growing up without having all the support you need to do so.
CONFIRMED was workshopped by a developmental cohort and presented as a staged reading with Talkin' Theatre on March 25th, 2023.
Directed by Randall C. Simmons
Dramaturgy by Allyson Broyles
Featuring
Lee Simes as Hildy
Matthew Lopez as Fred
Harrison Taylor as Doctor Coppelius
Allyson Broyles as Alice
Maddie Conti as Jane/Ensemble 1
Kathleen Ormond as Mary/Ensemble 2
Juan Roman Jr. as Ensemble 3
Based on the ballet 'Coppelia', COPE IN WONDER tells the story of Hildy. After confessing her love to her noticeably enthused boyfriend Fred, Hildy starts to connect in dreams to a new mysterious girl. However this new mysterious girl, Alice, is not a girl at all. She is a life sized doll created by a mad scientist named Dr. Coppelius. As Hildy and Alice grow closer in dreams, they both grow to realize they can find real happiness in each other.
COPE IN WONDER was presented as a reading with Talkin' Theatre on October 30th, 2022.
Directed by Randall C. Simmons
Dramaturgy by Allyson Broyles
Featuring
Jean Gordon as Ameri/Hotshot
Michael J. Newman as Monahan
Matt Lopez as Wallace
Billy Oxendine as Debraska
Gabe Dorsett as Brown
Randall Simmons as Marshall/Big Ernie
WILDFIRE is a harrowing tale about a squad of firefighters on the doorstep of the largest fire of their lives. With the looming threat of death before them, they explore past traumas, generational prowess, expired ideals of masculinity, and new ideals of femininity in a profession that primarily relies upon outdated traditions under the guise of austerity.
WILDFIRE was presented as a reading with Talkin' Theatre on October 9th, 2022.
Directed by Randall C. Simmons
Dramaturgy by Allyson Broyles
Featuring
Erika Spondike as Cedarella
Maeve Kelley Baker as Henrietta
Lily Welsh as Carmaletta
Maddie Conti as Pat
Mary Illes as Julianna/Flowerpot
Kemari Bryant as Hunter
Noah Steiner as Henrik/Love-Machine
MY TRUE LOVE! is a fairytale romp about True Love—which hopefully reflects more on truthful loving relationships, than the ideals of fairytales. As a child of the Disney Renaissance, I grew up with weird ideas on love! You will see these ideas deconstructed here, including frogs who get kissed, and stay frogs, and a Perfect Prince who is a literal robot. You will also see many examples of positive enthusiastic consent, and romantic proposals that break gender norms. But the idea I hope you take away, is that True Love starts with the truth of your heart. Once you know that, then there’s only one question to answer if you want to find your perfect fairytale dream… May I Kiss You? <333
MY TRUE LOVE! was presented as a reading with Talkin' Theatre on August 22nd, 2022.
Directed by Randall C. Simmons
Dramaturgy by Allyson Broyles
Featuring:
Rebecca Wilson as Dorian
Ephraim Birney as Flick
Michael Newman as Linus
Lauren Easton as Rebecca
On the eve of their first live performance, an amateur rock band falls down a pit of ridiculous debate and intense self-discovery as they wait for their soundboard to start up. PLAYING POSSUM examines the highs and lows of starting a band with your best pals.
PLAYING POSSUM was presented as a reading with Talkin' Theatre on August 8th, 2022.
Directed by Randall C. Simmons
Dramaturgy by Allyson Broyles
Featuring:
Madeline Saintsing as Mac
Noah Steiner as Customer
Lee Simes as Ensemble Track 1
Harrison Taylor as Ensemble Track 2
A customer walks into a corner store asking for product that’s not being sold there. As the customer keeps returning to the store for the item, tensions rise and patience dwindles. And everything snowballs from there. SNOWBALL is Waiting for Godot but at a convenience store and there are lots of pink-encrusted marshmallow snacks.
SNOWBALL was presented as a reading with Talkin' Theatre on July 25th, 2022.
