2019 ROOTS OF THE BLUEGRASS RESULTS
10-MINUTE PLAY FINALISTS
A BRAVE MAN by Adam Crawford
A woman whose son was killed in vietnam meets with his childhood best friend to discuss the true nature of their relationship.full length finalists
Bio: A native of the small town of Middlesboro, Kentucky, Adam Crawford has always had a passion for writing. A graduate of Lincoln Memorial University, Crawford now works as a morning news producer in Knoxville, Tennessee. In his spare time, he continues to write prose, plays, and the occasional song.
APPROPRIATE PROPOSAL by A.K. Forbes
After Tyler loses the keys to a set of handcuffs, Neil finds himself locked in a compromising position—the perfect opportunity for Tyler to push for a decision about their future.
Bio: A.K. Forbes is a playwright and community theatre actor, active with Village Players of Fort Thomas. Her plays have been produced locally as well as in Washington, D.C., New Mexico, Illinois, and Owensboro, Kentucky. She holds an MA in professional writing from University of Cincinnati, where she is employed as creative director.
GATE EXPECTATIONS by Chris Bishop
A man finds himself at the gates of heaven for an audience with God, but it's an audience that he does not want. Things aren't always what they seem.
Bio: Chris Bishop was born and raised in Kentucky and is very proud of his roots. He started studying theatre in the 90's then went on a 30 year hiatus. Recently he returned to theatre as an actor and is now writing plays to enlighten and entertain.
FULL LENGTH FINALISTS
FRACKED! by Ed Clark
Fracked! is a family drama about climate change. An Airbnb guest and pipeline protestor tries to disrupt a family’s sale of its farm to a buyer from the fracking industry.
Bio: Ed Clark is an attorney in Lexington, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, two children, and two cats. Fracked! is his second play. His first play, SHAME BOMB, a funny drama about gun law reform and androids, received its first production by Antagonist Productions in Lexington earlier this year.
BEATIN' THE DARK HOME by Richard Cavendish
Andy Tribble, vaudeville song and dance man from Kentucky, seeks a more authentic use of his talent on stage and discovers his true passions.
Bio: Richard Cavendish is the pen name for The Rev. Dr. Russell Richard Rechenbach. Frankfort native, Transylvania University and Lexington Theological Seminary graduate, founder of Richmond Area Theatre, and restorer of Old Parsonage of Andrew Tribble built 1794. Dr. Rechenbach retired from ministry after 38 years to write historical dramas.
UNSTOPPABLE by Matt Rifenburg
Unstoppable explores the life of Matt Rifenburg who at times has been homeless, friendless, hungry, married to someone addicted to drugs, a young father trying to raise his son alone, and a man losing his job and being diagnosed with a brain tumor in the same week. Refusing to give up, he applies for a job at Cornell University. Will his determination to overcome be enough to convince the interviewers he is worthy of a design position in the particle physics lab despite dropping out of school at 15 and never returning or will this be the end of his journey?
Bio: "I have endured many things that could have led my life down very different paths over the years. I chose to fight against them and have achieved some measure of success, in spite of the forces that might have been stacked against me. I just keep moving forward, no matter what comes my way, hoping to find happiness and peace someday.” Matt is a resident of Berea, KY.
