
LONELY PLANET is an intimate portrait of two friends navigating life at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic...but the disease is never named or mentioned... Shop owner Jody becomes increasingly fearful of the world outside and the dangers it poses, refusing to leave his shop. While Carl, his spirited friend, begins filling the store with a variety of mysterious chairs. Steven Dietz’s funny, hopeful, and deeply human play about an epidemic in our nation’s history has a lot to say about our current moment and continues to ring true as a commentary on the value of friendship and community during uncertain times. What this show ultimately conveys is the message that one should pay attention to the world around them and realize its problems rather than shun it. The play heavily references the Eugène Ionesco comedy The Chairs.
We can't change the world, but we can remember the truth of it, as accurately and as respectfully as we can. And to remember the world’s truth is to remember its people.....
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SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2023 1:00 - 4:00 PM
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Drag Queens On Trial...by Sky Gilbert
On the witness stand the Drag Queens reveal fantastic romantic lives; in their dressing room they are cruelly oppressed by straight culture. Which is real? Meet Marlene, Judy, & Lana... They lived by the skin of their spike heels…
The plot is simple and episodic. Each of Queens–Marlene Delorme, Judy Goose, and Lana Lust–enacts in turn a scene in which she stands trial for the “crime” of being a drag queen. The other two actors play the roles of the prosecuting attorney and the surprise witness. In between the court sessions we see the three in their dressing room, changing costumes and chatting among themselves until the stage manager’s voice summons them to the stage/courtroom.
Aside from breaking down the gender binary through the use of drag, the play itself breaks down conventional theatrical structure by staging the main scenes of the queens on trial with wrap-around segments where we see the queens preparing for the play. In these moments we see them conversing to each other, talking about their sex lives and throwing shade!
Emerald Theatre Company produced this show in 2006. We have chosen to bring it back onstage to close our 26th season of residency as a LOUD and PROUD invitation to our patrons, the LGBTQ community and the closeminded, misled and fearful in the state of Tennessee to come on OUT and have a laughed filled good time...and it also delivers a message of hope, acceptance and humanity.
Seeking male actors, or transgender female actors. Age ranges from late 20’s to early 50’s and any race.
Drag experience appreciated, BUT NOT REQUIRED!
These roles will require full drag and walking in heels.
Performance dates are June 16 – 25. Rehearsals begin the first week of May.
For additional inquires, email the director, Hal Harmon at EmeraldTheatreCompany@gmail.com
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Drag Queens On Trial...by Sky Gilbert
On the witness stand the Drag Queens reveal fantastic romantic lives; in their dressing room they are cruelly oppressed by straight culture. Which is real? Meet Marlene, Judy, & Lana... They lived by the skin of their spike heels…
The plot is simple and episodic. Each of Queens–Marlene Delorme, Judy Goose, and Lana Lust–enacts in turn a scene in which she stands trial for the “crime” of being a drag queen. The other two actors play the roles of the prosecuting attorney and the surprise witness. In between the court sessions we see the three in their dressing room, changing costumes and chatting among themselves until the stage manager’s voice summons them to the stage/courtroom.
Aside from breaking down the gender binary through the use of drag, the play itself breaks down conventional theatrical structure by staging the main scenes of the queens on trial with wrap-around segments where we see the queens preparing for the play. In these moments we see them conversing to each other, talking about their sex lives and throwing shade!
Emerald Theatre Company produced this show in 2006. We have chosen to bring it back onstage to close our 26th season of residency as a LOUD and PROUD invitation to our patrons, the LGBTQ community and the closeminded, misled and fearful in the state of Tennessee to come on OUT and have a laughed filled good time...and it also delivers a message of hope, acceptance and humanity.
Seeking male actors, or transgender female actors. Age ranges from late 20’s to early 50’s and any race.
Drag experience appreciated, BUT NOT REQUIRED!
These roles will require full drag and walking in heels.
Performance dates are June 16 – 25. Rehearsals begin the first week of May.
For additional inquires, email the director, Hal Harmon at EmeraldTheatreCompany@gmail.com
6th Annual 10 Minute Play Festival Contest Requirements

This year's theme is The 7 Deadly Sins Playwrights choose one and get creative!
Contest Rules: No more than 10 minutes in length, 10 pages maximum, no more than 3 characters and relates to the theme.
Absurd, Comedic, Dark, Dramatic, Farce, Tragedy...literal or figurative, that is up to you!
Work must be original and unproduced. These are black box productions so minimal sets required.
SUBMISSON RULES: Send 2 printed copies. Cover page should only have the plays title and what SIN is represented.
On a separate page include playwrights name, address, phone and email. These do not count as one of the 10 pages.
Entry Fee: $10.00 money order or check payable to Emerald Theatre Company.
Submissions deadline is May 31, 2023.
Winners contacted and announced July 1, 2023 and the play festival is September 1-3, 2023
Prizes
1st - $100.00 plus a medal plus stage performance
2nd $ 50.00 plus a medal plus stage performance
3rd a medal plus stage performance
A total of 7 plays will be performed.
MAIL TO:
Hal Harmon
c/o ETC
1402 Linden Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
For additional information email Hal at hharmon299@aol.com
A few thoughts from previous winners.......
Memphis is so fortunate to have the Emerald Theatre Company serving its community once again with its terrific 10 Minute Play Festival.
And I have had the pleasure of seeing a few of my own comedies produced there in past Festivals. Bravo, Emerald!
Joe Godfrey
Roxbury, CT
ETC presents work that vibrantly and valiantly validates the LGBTQIA+ community, which is why I had a gay old time participating in their 10-Minute Play Festival.
Allison Fradkin
Playwright from Chicago
"I can describe my theatrical experiences with Emerald Theatre in three words. Talented, professional and FUN!"
Lawson Caldwell
Charlotte, NC
Contest Rules: No more than 10 minutes in length, 10 pages maximum, no more than 3 characters and relates to the theme.
Absurd, Comedic, Dark, Dramatic, Farce, Tragedy...literal or figurative, that is up to you!
Work must be original and unproduced. These are black box productions so minimal sets required.
SUBMISSON RULES: Send 2 printed copies. Cover page should only have the plays title and what SIN is represented.
On a separate page include playwrights name, address, phone and email. These do not count as one of the 10 pages.
Entry Fee: $10.00 money order or check payable to Emerald Theatre Company.
Submissions deadline is May 31, 2023.
Winners contacted and announced July 1, 2023 and the play festival is September 1-3, 2023
Prizes
1st - $100.00 plus a medal plus stage performance
2nd $ 50.00 plus a medal plus stage performance
3rd a medal plus stage performance
A total of 7 plays will be performed.
MAIL TO:
Hal Harmon
c/o ETC
1402 Linden Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
For additional information email Hal at hharmon299@aol.com
A few thoughts from previous winners.......
Memphis is so fortunate to have the Emerald Theatre Company serving its community once again with its terrific 10 Minute Play Festival.
And I have had the pleasure of seeing a few of my own comedies produced there in past Festivals. Bravo, Emerald!
Joe Godfrey
Roxbury, CT
ETC presents work that vibrantly and valiantly validates the LGBTQIA+ community, which is why I had a gay old time participating in their 10-Minute Play Festival.
Allison Fradkin
Playwright from Chicago
"I can describe my theatrical experiences with Emerald Theatre in three words. Talented, professional and FUN!"
Lawson Caldwell
Charlotte, NC

Located in the heart of midtown!
2085 Monroe Ave.
theatreworksmemphis.org
2085 Monroe Ave.
theatreworksmemphis.org