What do you have to do to get noticed? Burn a theatre down?
Hyperbole aside, it really did feel like it was me against the world. And I was at the mercy of others who were taught to be merciless with their time and attention. Yet, the story that was birthed from deep inside of me deserved to see the light of day. To be enjoyed. To be celebrated even! Not to sit in obscurity, patiently waiting to be noticed, against all odds.
Yes, I know the pain of waiting. The anguish of being passed over or seduced with the sweetest of words; "next season." After many moons, it occurred to me, the journey to the stage did not need to be painful. Giving words wings and breath is supposed to be exhilarating, not exhausting. The process of writing should birth a butterfly, not force you to stay wrapped up, muffled in a cocoon!
And all at once, Produce Your Play was born. A gift from me to you. It's for all my brothers and sisters sitting at keyboards in obscurity who want to see their literary work given the respect it deserves. For all my fellow playwrites and screen play writers, who want to break through from this very harsh and broken system. Who wants to take the next step? For who knows what the future brings after you kick open the door?
- Frank Duffy, Founder & Resident Director of Produce Your Play.