Howdy friends!
I just found out that my ANNIERELLA play is the free e-script of the week over at Brooklyn Publishers. Please, go download it, read it, and comment on it. Thanks for your support!
http://www.brookpub.com
bobbi c.
2024. Celebrating 43 years as a published author. I am mostly a writer of short things, mostly fiction. Previously worked as a non-fiction author writing gardening and crafts books/articles. I am also an award-winning playwright specializing in comedic fairy tale mash-ups.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
New fairy tale smash-up play! PRINCESS PRIMROSE
Announcing a new play by Bobbi A. Chukran!!!
What if two of the most famous fairy tale women, Rapunzel Rapunzel and Snow White were friends, and got together and started a detective agency? They'd have seven little sidekicks (Nosy, Snoops, Sherlock, Stealthy, Creeper, Gumshoe and Marlowe) and be called in to help when a certain princess (Primrose) was threatened by her aunt, a wicked witch (Moribunda McEvil) and her faithful partner, Eargore (a spell gone really bad). Mix in Queen Floribunda, King Rosario, Chester the Jester, Snitch, the tattle-tale fairy who can't get his story straight, a young witch that can only reverse spells (Miss Slumberkins), an enchanted frog that's afraid of germs (Thaddeus A. Pole), and Weasel the Wizard.
You'll never look at a frog the same way again. :-)
Comedy; App. 65-minutes; cast of 21 plus some a few motley enchanted creatures, typical fairy tale setting and costumes. Family friendly (of course), suitable for adult, high school and advanced middle school actors.
This play is available for readings. Please contact the playwright for more information.
PRINCESS PRIMROSE & the CURSE of the BIG SLEEP
From the Casefiles of Rapunzel & White, In Service to Her Majesty the Queen
From the Casefiles of Rapunzel & White, In Service to Her Majesty the Queen
What if two of the most famous fairy tale women, Rapunzel Rapunzel and Snow White were friends, and got together and started a detective agency? They'd have seven little sidekicks (Nosy, Snoops, Sherlock, Stealthy, Creeper, Gumshoe and Marlowe) and be called in to help when a certain princess (Primrose) was threatened by her aunt, a wicked witch (Moribunda McEvil) and her faithful partner, Eargore (a spell gone really bad). Mix in Queen Floribunda, King Rosario, Chester the Jester, Snitch, the tattle-tale fairy who can't get his story straight, a young witch that can only reverse spells (Miss Slumberkins), an enchanted frog that's afraid of germs (Thaddeus A. Pole), and Weasel the Wizard.
You'll never look at a frog the same way again. :-)
Comedy; App. 65-minutes; cast of 21 plus some a few motley enchanted creatures, typical fairy tale setting and costumes. Family friendly (of course), suitable for adult, high school and advanced middle school actors.
This play is available for readings. Please contact the playwright for more information.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Award-Winning Christmas Play
Dear peeps,
I'm still looking for a Texas theatre who wants to either do a reading of (or production of!) my award-winning play, DOT & the (AMAZING TECHNICOLOR) QUEST FOR THE REAL SANTA CLAUSE.
DOT was the Third Place winner in the East Valley Children's Theatre Emerging Playwriting Competition this year.
The play is suitable for older teens, adults or advanced middle school kids.
E-mail me for details.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
I'm still looking for a Texas theatre who wants to either do a reading of (or production of!) my award-winning play, DOT & the (AMAZING TECHNICOLOR) QUEST FOR THE REAL SANTA CLAUSE.
DOT was the Third Place winner in the East Valley Children's Theatre Emerging Playwriting Competition this year.
The play is suitable for older teens, adults or advanced middle school kids.
E-mail me for details.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
ANNIERELLA production!
Dear peoples,
I just learned that my ten-minute version of ANNIERELLA & the (VERY AWESOME) GOOD QUEEN FAIRY COWMOTHER was produced by the East Central High School Drama class in St. Leon, Indiana on November 5th for two performances.
ANNIERELLA rides again! Yeehaw!
If anybody is interested in reading a bit of the script, check out Brooklyn Publishing's website and search for the title there.
Happy trails,
bobbi c.
I just learned that my ten-minute version of ANNIERELLA & the (VERY AWESOME) GOOD QUEEN FAIRY COWMOTHER was produced by the East Central High School Drama class in St. Leon, Indiana on November 5th for two performances.
ANNIERELLA rides again! Yeehaw!
If anybody is interested in reading a bit of the script, check out Brooklyn Publishing's website and search for the title there.
Happy trails,
bobbi c.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Free script excerpts posted
Dear friends,
I've added a new page to my website and posted some free excerpts from my longer play scripts for THEATER EDUCATION. These are suitable for middle grades on up through adult. They are family friendly, and guaranteed to be suitable for all audiences.
If you need a script for a competition, or a drama class or readings, check it out.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
I've added a new page to my website and posted some free excerpts from my longer play scripts for THEATER EDUCATION. These are suitable for middle grades on up through adult. They are family friendly, and guaranteed to be suitable for all audiences.
If you need a script for a competition, or a drama class or readings, check it out.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Short Plays for Kids...and Adults.....and Families!
Dear friends,
I'm still trying to "find the market" so to speak for my new plays. I tend to use a lot of classic fairy tales as the "bones" of my story, or the underlying ideas behind them. But then my imagination takes over and I divert in different directions. For example, my brand BRAND new play that I finished last Friday (first draft only at this point) is based on a combo of the Princess and the Frog stories and the story of Sleeping Beauty. BUT, I have two new recurring characters that I'm sure will show up again...Rapunzel Rapunzel and Snow White. These two fiesty young women have gone into business together and run a detective agency, in Service to Her Majesty the Queen. Of course Ms. White has seven helpers...LOL!
The working title is "Princess Primrose and the Curse of the Big Sleep" but I love long titles so will probably add a sub-title, like "From the Casebook of Rapunzel & White, In Service to Her Majesty the Queen". This is the first in a series of plays I hope to write about these characters. Perhaps the stories will become books some day, too. That would be cake WITH icing. :-)
Writing about the same characters in several plays is a somewhat dangerous thing to do, because you run into the problem of theatres that don't want to do sequels because of various reasons. It's a shame, because I've found that people do fall in love with characters and want to see them return. At any rate, I love writing about the same characters in different situations. When I write a character, they become real to me.
My plays aren't the same ol' fairy tales, that's for sure. But deep down, they have that fantasy element, that magic that all classic fairy tales have brought to us down through the ages.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Playwright & Storyteller
I'm still trying to "find the market" so to speak for my new plays. I tend to use a lot of classic fairy tales as the "bones" of my story, or the underlying ideas behind them. But then my imagination takes over and I divert in different directions. For example, my brand BRAND new play that I finished last Friday (first draft only at this point) is based on a combo of the Princess and the Frog stories and the story of Sleeping Beauty. BUT, I have two new recurring characters that I'm sure will show up again...Rapunzel Rapunzel and Snow White. These two fiesty young women have gone into business together and run a detective agency, in Service to Her Majesty the Queen. Of course Ms. White has seven helpers...LOL!
The working title is "Princess Primrose and the Curse of the Big Sleep" but I love long titles so will probably add a sub-title, like "From the Casebook of Rapunzel & White, In Service to Her Majesty the Queen". This is the first in a series of plays I hope to write about these characters. Perhaps the stories will become books some day, too. That would be cake WITH icing. :-)
Writing about the same characters in several plays is a somewhat dangerous thing to do, because you run into the problem of theatres that don't want to do sequels because of various reasons. It's a shame, because I've found that people do fall in love with characters and want to see them return. At any rate, I love writing about the same characters in different situations. When I write a character, they become real to me.
My plays aren't the same ol' fairy tales, that's for sure. But deep down, they have that fantasy element, that magic that all classic fairy tales have brought to us down through the ages.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Playwright & Storyteller
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Vampire plays...galore!
Dear friends,
For the first time ever, I read the entire original DRACULA book by Bram Stoker. The version of Dracula that we've seen often in movies isn't very similar to the original story in the book. I decided that I had to adapt it into a play, naturally. First of all, I wrote it pretty straight forward. Then, since I needed a short play for a youth festival competition, I wrote a ten-minute version (yes, I did! LOL). I guess all the brou-ha-ha about "those" vampire novels and movies was lurking in the back of my mind, so I named that one VAMPIRE FEVER!
Then, since I couldn't help myself, I did another longer version, Texas style. That one is titled DRACULA BITES! or, Texas Has a Vampire in It! and it's my favorite. A bit melodramatic, but that's what I was going for.
For now, I think I'll let Mr. Dracula rest.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
For the first time ever, I read the entire original DRACULA book by Bram Stoker. The version of Dracula that we've seen often in movies isn't very similar to the original story in the book. I decided that I had to adapt it into a play, naturally. First of all, I wrote it pretty straight forward. Then, since I needed a short play for a youth festival competition, I wrote a ten-minute version (yes, I did! LOL). I guess all the brou-ha-ha about "those" vampire novels and movies was lurking in the back of my mind, so I named that one VAMPIRE FEVER!
Then, since I couldn't help myself, I did another longer version, Texas style. That one is titled DRACULA BITES! or, Texas Has a Vampire in It! and it's my favorite. A bit melodramatic, but that's what I was going for.
For now, I think I'll let Mr. Dracula rest.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
New Ten-Minute Play....The Lonely Cowboy
Howdy Folks!
Just finished a new ten-minute comedy western play titled The Lonely Cowboy, suitable for all ages! Guaranteed to have no spittin', no cursin', no horsin' around and no naughty bits! Well, maybe just a little horsin' around. :-)
Lonely Cowboy is sitting out alone in the desert, beside his campfire, happy as a pig in slop. What happens when a string of colorful characters decide to pay him a visit? There's the Grizzled Prospector looking for gold, the Dancehall Girl who jumped out of an overturned stagecoach, the Singin' Cowboy and the Preacher.
This fun play has a cast of four males, one female or two males, one female and two other females dressed as males.
E-mail me for information on readings or if you'd like to produce this play.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Official Website
Just finished a new ten-minute comedy western play titled The Lonely Cowboy, suitable for all ages! Guaranteed to have no spittin', no cursin', no horsin' around and no naughty bits! Well, maybe just a little horsin' around. :-)
Lonely Cowboy is sitting out alone in the desert, beside his campfire, happy as a pig in slop. What happens when a string of colorful characters decide to pay him a visit? There's the Grizzled Prospector looking for gold, the Dancehall Girl who jumped out of an overturned stagecoach, the Singin' Cowboy and the Preacher.
This fun play has a cast of four males, one female or two males, one female and two other females dressed as males.
E-mail me for information on readings or if you'd like to produce this play.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Official Website
Thursday, April 8, 2010
DOT's a prize winner!
Dear friends,
The good news just keeps on comin' here at Catnip Cottage! This morning I learned that my new Christmas play, Dot & the (Amazing Technicolor) Quest for the Real Santa Clause won THIRD PLACE in the East Valley Children's Theatre Aspiring Playwright's Contest in Mesa, AZ! AND it comes with a cash prize...my first ever!
I'm still looking for a theatre to premiere a production of DOT, so e-mail me if you're interested, or check out an excerpt on my website.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
The good news just keeps on comin' here at Catnip Cottage! This morning I learned that my new Christmas play, Dot & the (Amazing Technicolor) Quest for the Real Santa Clause won THIRD PLACE in the East Valley Children's Theatre Aspiring Playwright's Contest in Mesa, AZ! AND it comes with a cash prize...my first ever!
I'm still looking for a theatre to premiere a production of DOT, so e-mail me if you're interested, or check out an excerpt on my website.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
LITTLE RED RIDING BOOTS & COOTER COYOTE...a Short Comedy Play available for productions...
LITTLE RED RIDING BOOTS & COOTER COYOTE, a new ten-minute play by Bobbi A. Chukran, native Texan playwright, is now available for readings and productions.
The play is a very loose retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, with a Texas twist and a quirky villainous coyote who tries to steal Granny's food from Little Red Riding Boots, with hilarious results. You will love this funny, heartwarming tale about a fiesty young heroine who teams up with her grandmother to outwit a rascally coyote.
This comedy tale is written for a cast of 3 F, 2 M and 1 or 2 Either (in a horse costume), or for easier staging, a toy stick horse can be used. The play is rated Family-Friendly, fun for kids of all ages!
For more information, script excerpt or to get permission to produce this new play, please e-mail Ms. Chukran.
To read more about the playwright, download a resume or read excerpts of other plays, please visit Bobbi's website.
Happy Trails!
bobbi c.
The play is a very loose retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, with a Texas twist and a quirky villainous coyote who tries to steal Granny's food from Little Red Riding Boots, with hilarious results. You will love this funny, heartwarming tale about a fiesty young heroine who teams up with her grandmother to outwit a rascally coyote.
This comedy tale is written for a cast of 3 F, 2 M and 1 or 2 Either (in a horse costume), or for easier staging, a toy stick horse can be used. The play is rated Family-Friendly, fun for kids of all ages!
For more information, script excerpt or to get permission to produce this new play, please e-mail Ms. Chukran.
To read more about the playwright, download a resume or read excerpts of other plays, please visit Bobbi's website.
Happy Trails!
bobbi c.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Playwriting News!
Dear friends,
I just found out that a sequel I wrote to my first ANNIERELLA play, titled "Annierella & the (Not So) Secret Garden" as well as a spoof based on Bram Stoker's DRACULA titled "Vampire Fever!" are semi-finalists in the 2010 Youth Education on Stage play writing competition. I'm in some fine company there, with several of my friends from the Playwright's Binge Yahoo group and my friend Steph Deferie.
This is the same competition where ANNIERELLA was the First Place Winner last summer.
Happy Trails,
bobbi c.
I just found out that a sequel I wrote to my first ANNIERELLA play, titled "Annierella & the (Not So) Secret Garden" as well as a spoof based on Bram Stoker's DRACULA titled "Vampire Fever!" are semi-finalists in the 2010 Youth Education on Stage play writing competition. I'm in some fine company there, with several of my friends from the Playwright's Binge Yahoo group and my friend Steph Deferie.
This is the same competition where ANNIERELLA was the First Place Winner last summer.
Happy Trails,
bobbi c.
What others are saying about ANNIERELLA:
A blurb from my first director, Jack Dyville, about ANNIERELLA:
"As producer of Youth Education On Stage, we have found that doing SUMMER SHORTS, a short play festival is the ideal way to give more grade school children each summer that all important opportunity to sink their teeth into roles (even if they are brief plays) rather than just playing a tree or third chorus kid to the left!!!
With "Annierella" my cast had so much fun with these folksey characters and had the opportunity to create roles that had meaning to them. The dialogue was clever and the jokes were strong. The audiences loved it and it moved the judges -- winning the Best Over-All Production of the Festival".
---Jack Dyville Co-Producer Youth Education On Stage (Williston North Dakota) and Artistic Director, Friends Always Creating Theatre (NYC)
ANNIERELLA was also one of the featured plays announced by the publisher today. You may read it online here:
Brooklyn Publishing Announces the Publication of two versions of ANNIERELLA
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
"As producer of Youth Education On Stage, we have found that doing SUMMER SHORTS, a short play festival is the ideal way to give more grade school children each summer that all important opportunity to sink their teeth into roles (even if they are brief plays) rather than just playing a tree or third chorus kid to the left!!!
With "Annierella" my cast had so much fun with these folksey characters and had the opportunity to create roles that had meaning to them. The dialogue was clever and the jokes were strong. The audiences loved it and it moved the judges -- winning the Best Over-All Production of the Festival".
---Jack Dyville Co-Producer Youth Education On Stage (Williston North Dakota) and Artistic Director, Friends Always Creating Theatre (NYC)
ANNIERELLA was also one of the featured plays announced by the publisher today. You may read it online here:
Brooklyn Publishing Announces the Publication of two versions of ANNIERELLA
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Playwriting FAQ
Since I've had a lot of questions lately about how I write my plays, I decided to put together a page of FAQ's, or frequently asked questions on the subject. I'll be adding to this as time goes by, so if you have any questions you'd like answered, let me know.
Playwriting FAQ
Happy trails,
bobbi c.
Playwriting FAQ
Happy trails,
bobbi c.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Production Scripts
Dear friends,
I was contacted by Production Scripts, in the UK, a few weeks ago and asked to submit some of my scripts to list on their website. I sent them my new Christmas play, DOT & the (AMAZING TECHNICOLOR) QUEST FOR THE REAL SANTA CLAUSE and it got posted there today. They are not a publisher; they act as a sales outlet for scripts, and hopefully, productions. The playwright gets a percentage of the sales price.
So far, DOT has not been produced, but I hope since Christmas is coming up, that will change soon.
I'm excited to be affiliated with Production Scripts. Surf on over and take a look if you're looking for any type or length of drama or comedy script, for adults or for children or youth.
happy trails,
bobbi c.
I was contacted by Production Scripts, in the UK, a few weeks ago and asked to submit some of my scripts to list on their website. I sent them my new Christmas play, DOT & the (AMAZING TECHNICOLOR) QUEST FOR THE REAL SANTA CLAUSE and it got posted there today. They are not a publisher; they act as a sales outlet for scripts, and hopefully, productions. The playwright gets a percentage of the sales price.
So far, DOT has not been produced, but I hope since Christmas is coming up, that will change soon.
I'm excited to be affiliated with Production Scripts. Surf on over and take a look if you're looking for any type or length of drama or comedy script, for adults or for children or youth.
happy trails,
bobbi c.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Our local theatre finally has a permanent home!
After years of putting up with sub-standard conditions, our local Way off Broadway Community Players theatre has a permanent home in a renovated former bathtub plant here in Leander, Texas. The new space features a rehearsal stage and plenty of space to spread out.
A recent article in the local Hill Country News newspaper gives the full story and also reports on the grant that the theatre received from the newly formed Leander Public Arts Committee.
As a local playwright who lives within "spittin' distance" from the new theater, I couldn't be happier for them!
Their first show in the new facility will be NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn and I can't wait to see it!
For more about the WOBCP, please check out their website.
Happy trails from warm and sunny Texas!
bobbi c.
A recent article in the local Hill Country News newspaper gives the full story and also reports on the grant that the theatre received from the newly formed Leander Public Arts Committee.
As a local playwright who lives within "spittin' distance" from the new theater, I couldn't be happier for them!
Their first show in the new facility will be NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn and I can't wait to see it!
For more about the WOBCP, please check out their website.
Happy trails from warm and sunny Texas!
bobbi c.
Friday, March 5, 2010
FREE Preview of new play
Howdy folks!
I just added a FREE PREVIEW of my DOT & the (Amazing Technicolor) Quest for the Real Santa Clause on my website. Take a look! This is a brand new unpublished play suitable for all audiences. Here's a synopsis from a previous post for the curious amongst you.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
ANNIERELLA published...it's official!
Folks!
I got the best birthday ever this year when my editor at Brooklyn Publishers called to tell me that my ANNIERELLA and the (Very Awesome) Good Queen Fairy Cowmother plays are officially published now! Woohoo, and yeehaw (as Annierella would say).
This has been an almost year-long process from writing the one-act play (my first), to doing a short version for the Youth Education on Stage competition, to winning First Place in that, to the submission to Brooklyn, their acceptance, the editing process and now publication!
A preview of the script can be downloaded on the publisher's website here:
Preview of ANNIERELLA
Here's hoping that ANNIERELLA rides far and near and has many productions!
Happy trails,
bobbi c.
I got the best birthday ever this year when my editor at Brooklyn Publishers called to tell me that my ANNIERELLA and the (Very Awesome) Good Queen Fairy Cowmother plays are officially published now! Woohoo, and yeehaw (as Annierella would say).
This has been an almost year-long process from writing the one-act play (my first), to doing a short version for the Youth Education on Stage competition, to winning First Place in that, to the submission to Brooklyn, their acceptance, the editing process and now publication!
A preview of the script can be downloaded on the publisher's website here:
Preview of ANNIERELLA
Here's hoping that ANNIERELLA rides far and near and has many productions!
Happy trails,
bobbi c.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Another new play....DRACULA BITES
Finished another new play last week, DRACULA BITES. It's a full-length vampire comedy loosely based on Bram Stoker's classic. This one was definitely a challenge to write while avoiding all the old cliched vampire jokes. I hope I was able to pull it off.
Excerpts are available, just e-mail me.
Also updated my official website, which you can read here.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Texas playwright
Excerpts are available, just e-mail me.
Also updated my official website, which you can read here.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Texas playwright
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Dot & the (Amazing Technicolor) Quest for the Real Santa Claus Synopsis
Brand-new holiday and Christmas comedy play available for productions. 8F, 1M, adult or youth; some doubling, app. 60-minutes
A story about a young woman named Dot who yearns for a traditional holiday, her mother and aunt who embrace the modern, a runaway inflatable helicopter, old toys that come to life, a very strange cat named Cattywampus, and a quest through a magical fantasy land for the real Santa Claus. Sometimes what you search for is right under your nose.
Contact the playwright for more information on readings or productions.
A story about a young woman named Dot who yearns for a traditional holiday, her mother and aunt who embrace the modern, a runaway inflatable helicopter, old toys that come to life, a very strange cat named Cattywampus, and a quest through a magical fantasy land for the real Santa Claus. Sometimes what you search for is right under your nose.
Contact the playwright for more information on readings or productions.
Friday, January 29, 2010
ANNOUNCING, A NEW PLAY!
After slaving over a hot keyboard for FOUR whole days, I'd like to announce my latest play...this time, a full-length.
DOT and the (AMAZING TECHNICOLOR) QUEST FOR THE REAL SANTA CLAUSE
This is a holiday/Christmas play for adults, nine characters with possible doubling or cross-dressing (oh my!). I wrote it for a playwriting competition, and actually made the deadline. Motivation is a good thing!
It's been sent to several directors, but like they say, a play is never finished.
happy trails,
bobbi c.
DOT and the (AMAZING TECHNICOLOR) QUEST FOR THE REAL SANTA CLAUSE
This is a holiday/Christmas play for adults, nine characters with possible doubling or cross-dressing (oh my!). I wrote it for a playwriting competition, and actually made the deadline. Motivation is a good thing!
It's been sent to several directors, but like they say, a play is never finished.
happy trails,
bobbi c.
Are playwrights whiners?
Perhaps. Do we have a right to be? Perhaps.
Take a look at this quote from an article in the Guardian (UK) by Theresa Rebeck. You can find the entire post HERE.
"Is the American theatre allowing itself to become irrelevant? The problem isn't that playwrights aren't being paid enough. It's that theatres all over America are looking towards New York to tell them what new plays to do. Meanwhile, New York is in thrall to revivals and movie stars."
Of course, I'd love it if every small community theatre in Texas decided to do my plays, but I'm not famous enough. Yet. LOL.
Food for thought...
bobbi c.
Take a look at this quote from an article in the Guardian (UK) by Theresa Rebeck. You can find the entire post HERE.
"Is the American theatre allowing itself to become irrelevant? The problem isn't that playwrights aren't being paid enough. It's that theatres all over America are looking towards New York to tell them what new plays to do. Meanwhile, New York is in thrall to revivals and movie stars."
Of course, I'd love it if every small community theatre in Texas decided to do my plays, but I'm not famous enough. Yet. LOL.
Food for thought...
bobbi c.
Monday, January 11, 2010
DEATHTRAP by Ira Levin coming to WOBCP
Opening this week! One of my all time favorite plays, DEATHTRAP, by Ira Levin, is coming to the Way off Broadway Community Players, here in Leander. It plays through January 30th. Please check their website for details, or to reserve tickets.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
Happy trails!
bobbi c.
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