The Kilroys, the feminist collective of playwrights, directors, and producers, has published its annual List. Unlike previous editions, The List 2020 doesn’t feature unproduced plays by women, trans, and non-binary writers. In light of the especially harsh effects COVID-19 has had on theater, The List 2020 is honoring plays that have been impacted by the pandemic, a press release has announced. Available on The Kilroys’ website, The List 2020 is a living document that celebrates the women, trans, and non-binary playwrights whose first or second work has been postponed or cancelled as a result of the coronavirus.
This year’s List spotlights playwrights from traditionally marginalized communities who have been dealt a major professional blow.
“We’re at an inflection point as an industry and as a nation. A whole slew of plays got cancelled starting in the Spring, which is traditionally the time when theaters ‘take risks’ on new plays by Black, POC, women along with LGBTQIA playwrights,” said member Chelsea Marcantel. “When the dust settles and theaters are eager to ‘get back to normal,’ we hope they don’t program a bunch of revivals and plays that feel ‘safe.'” She added, “Look at this beautiful list of new plays that were slated to open! Audiences were primed and eager for excitement and risk and new voices. We have made such strides over the last few years. Don’t backslide, American theatre.”
“Whole industries have been put on pause, and theater is no exception. How will theater return from this moment — and who will it serve? These plays may never happen again,” Jaclyn Backhaus emphasized. “As we contend with uncertainty, focus our attention on collective safety and health, and activate around imagining a better industry, we can also hold space for the artistic work that is lost.”
This year’s List also differs in its methodology. In previous years, The Kilroys surveyed industry leaders while choosing honorees, while The List 2020 is based on information from The Dramatist Guild, Theatre Communications Group, and National New Play Network. The press release describes the creation of this year’s List as “a communal effort in a time when the theatre industry was experiencing unprecedented change.”
“This is a living List. [It’s] being honest about the moment we’re in,” said Jessica Hanna. “This List is a step toward changing the system the List itself has become. We are practicing on the micro what we want to see in the macro.”
“We’re in living history. We’re in an uprising and a pandemic. We are isolated but even more knit together. And theatre will never be the same,” Obehi Janice declared.
The Kilroys will host a Zoom celebration for The List 2020’s honorees on July 14. You can RSVP online beginning July 10.
