Playwright Chat: Laura Lewis-Barr
Laura Lewis-Barr takes time out of her busy production schedule to talk to us about the genesis of her play, Ditching Destiny on Halloween. The play is a delightful romantic comedy that takes place over one year.
Accident-prone Karen is referred to as a psychic for guidance after a series of car crashes. The psychic has fallen in love with her from her “star chart”. He becomes convinced that she is the only girl for him. Complicating matters is an on again off again boy toy who wants Karen but has nothing in common with her.
Laura Lewis-Barr
Bio: Laura Lewis-Barr has been writing, directing, performing and teaching theatre for over 15 years. Laura’s play Chernobyl’s Fire won the Playwrights First Award and was a finalist in the O’Neill Theatre Center National Playwrights Conference Competition and Steppenwolf Theatre’s “First Look.” Marvelous Tales, was recently published by YouthPlays and The Vase is published with Heartland Plays. Her play, Cloistered Honey was recently made into a low budget film through Inspirare Productions. “Cloistered Honey” has been an official selection at the Red Dirt International Film Festival (nominated for Best Writing — Drama) and the Eugene International Film Festival (Awarded Best Screenplay — Feature.) It was recently picked up for distribution by The Bosko Group. Cloistered Honey (early draft) was seen as part of “The Next Big Thing Festival” in NY. Darwin’s Dilemma was seen in Circle Theatre’s New Play Fest. Darwin was also featured in the St. Tammany One-Act Competition and Steel Beam Theatre’s “New Play Series.” Recent productions of Laura’s work include: Chernobyl’s Fire; Addicted to Mars (Pittsburgh New Works Festival — “intriguing and carefully drawn…. Lewis-Barr’s writing drives the production.” Pittsburgh Post Gazette); Golden Chalices (LoveCreek Productions and The Riant Theatre in New York); Dove Killers (the side project in Chicago — “riveting” Windy City Times). A dozen other plays, including Re-writing History thru a Fly’s Eye, The Vase, and The Dangers of Catnip have had readings and productions in Chicago and California . Laura’s Masters Degree in Drama is from San Francisco State University . Before her move to the country, (to work as Artistic Director/Theatre Professor at Sauk Valley College) Laura was a member of the Playwrights Collective and Chicago Dramatists.
