Women Playwrights Speak Out

Women’s voices are grossly underrepresented on stages around the nation --and here in Madison. This second annual event, organized by TAPIT and Kathie Rasmussen Women’s Theatre, features 10-minute excerpts from new works by Madison’s up-and-coming female playwrights.

press release: Nine Madison-based women playwrights are joining together at 7 pm Sunday, February 3, at TAPIT/new works Studio Theater, 1957 Winnebago Street, to offer free readings of their unproduced work in honor of the global pursuit for gender parity in theater.

 This is the second annual such event, hosted by TAPIT/new works Ensemble Theater and co-sponsored by Kathie Rasmussen Women's Theatre (Krass), and it’s as important as ever.

Despite recent improvements, the voices of female writers are still under-represented on the American stage, with women playwrights receiving only 37% of 700 off-Broadway productions, according to the League of Professional Theatre Women.

More than just an alternative to the Super Bowl, this event creates an opportunity for women writers to be heard.

To date, Sunday’s readings will feature short plays or 10-minute excerpts of new works by Betty Diamond, E.H. Lupton, Gail Sterkel, Karen Saari, Elena Tabachnik, Viviane Juguero, Gina Rodriguez, Krass Theatre’s Jan Levine Thal, and Danielle Dresden, from TAPIT/new works Ensemble Theater – and it’s possible more may have joined by showtime.

Fun, casual, and open to the public, this event is also free. Attendees are invited to make a donation to DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services). Contact TAPIT/new works Ensemble Theater, info@tapitnewworks.org or 608.244.2938 for more information.