The Plan for 2026
Please vote for what I should talk about.
Hello from Ohio!
I am in Columbus, directing Cabaret for CCT for the next six weeks. I miss Sally and Maxine terribly. However, I’m honored to be directing this incredible show at such a critical moment in our country. I get to meet our talented cast today - so pumped. I hope that you will be able to join us from February 20 to March 1. Tickets can be found here.
Before Cabaret rehearsals, I will have the privilege to work with several high school programs as well as develop new work that I’m excited to share updates about very soon. Add in the start of registration for our 2026 Season at Andy’s Summer Playhouse, and it will be a full schedule. If you are interested in purchasing my play, Stacy & Mia (as well as many others by amazing emerging playwrights), published by 1319 Press, you can get it here.
I am also committing to making this Substack work. I believe I didn’t post in 2025 because I got… anxious? I just felt weird talking about theater (or myself) so much, but I feel rejuvenated to share what my incredible friends/collaborators are up to, share what is inspiring me, and fall in love with a different way of writing.
So. I’m going to try to consistently post twice a month. One will be a normal newsletter sharing what’s going on in my career and promoting all of the wonderful things happening for my friends around the country. For the other, I’d like to try to write about what inspires me to write - whether it be inspirations for specific work or things that moved me to write in general. I think it will be a fun challenge to write in a radically different way. I’ll still have new updates on what folks are up to on those posts.
Please send me your thoughts and vote! I want to feel like I’m writing about something interesting to other people.
In the meantime, here’s what people are up to!
- My DGF Fellow friend, Matthew Libby, is making his Off-Broadway debut! His play DATA started previews at the Lortel on January 9th. The play runs through March 29th. I can’t wait to see it when I get back.
- I hated that I missed the reading of Sybil Creepe’s House of Mysteries on January 10th, but I wanted to shout out the incredible Laurel Andersen (Playwright) & Erin Reynolds (Director).
- Serials returns to The Tank on February 5th-7th. I had a great time directing for them throughout 2025. Sending good luck to Something Strange in Palmetto Point by Natalia Mar Urzua - the last play I worked on.
- This month, Andy’s Summer Playhouse will find out if they will win one of the FIVE New Hampshire Theatre Awards they are eligible for:
Best Youth Production for Ahoy!
Directed and Choreographed by Orange Grove DanceBest Youth Production for Battle of the Books
Written by SMJ
Directed by Emily BubeckBest Youth Production for Fated
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Natalie Myrick
Directed and Choreographed by Mackenna GoodrichBest Sound Design in a Community Production
Dylan Glatthorn, Ahoy!Recognition of Excellence in Playwriting
I hope you can get some rest this week. I look forward to connecting more in 2026. Thank you for being here.
Much appreciated,
SMJ