Ordinary Evil

October 10, 2007 Status of "A Call for Plays on the Theme of Ordinary Evil"

On December 6, 2005, A Call for Plays on the Theme of Ordinary Evil was issued by Karen E. Lile. More than 140 plays were submitted by May 30, 2006 by playwrights from all over the United States, England and Canada. As these plays are being read, those that are accepted as part of the OrdinaryEvil.info Project will be posted on this page. All playwrights are immediately notified if their play fits the guidelines and is accepted or not as part of the project. Those who have not been notified, have not yet had play their play read.

The following have been selected as part of the OrdinaryEvil.info Project:

As of October 10, 2007, one-hundred and twelve plays have been read out of more than one hundred and forty plays that have been submitted. We are taking our time to consider each play and the thematic issues it brings up in relationship to the Ordinary Evil Project.

Plays accepted into the OrdinaryEvil.info Project so far are listed below in alpabetical order

"A House Divided" by Sean David Bennett. Part I of the Kilmallock Trilogy. Full Length Play.

A priest, falsely accused of child abuse, finds that the Church hierarchy is unwilling to help him prove his innocence.

Sean David Bennett currently resides in Somerville, MA and his work is represented by Ann Farber Leterary Agency in New York, NY

"b'Shalom" by Meron Langsner. 45-60 minute play.

Synopsis for B'Shalom: A growing friendship between an Israeli immigrant and a Palestianian-American in NYC the summer after 9/11 is taken to a crisis point both by events overseas and local prejudices. When both of these factors come to a head the delicate balance is tipped.

Meron Langsner currently resides in Somerville, MA.

"Elephant Shoe" by Aleks Merilo. Full legth play.

A drama set in San Francisco during the last summer of the millennium. It is the story of seven young, alienated individuals, who are connected only by a radio stolen in an act of petty theft. The lives of the strangers spiral into each other, until chance encounters and seemingly insignificant actions change the lives of them all.

Aleks Merilo currently resides in Palo Alto, CA.

"Fallout" by Sean David Bennett . 15 minute play.

An elderly oncology patient anda hospital chaplain discuss the former's participation in possible war crimes during World War II.

Sean David Bennett currently resides in Somerville, MA and his work is represented by Ann Farber Leterary Agency in New York, NY

"Flight" by A.B. Asher. 15 minute play.

Child Abuse and molestation viewed through the refracted lens of memory form the basis of a story of betrayal and forgiveness between siblings.

A.B. Asher currently resides in New York, NY.

"Philosophy 101" by Allan Lefcowitz. 35 minute play.

Professor beset by the conflicting demands of students, academic bureaucrats, father, and his own values.

Allan Lefcowitz currently resides in Washington, D.C.

"Recognition" by William Borden 10 minute play. 2 males, 2 females.

Two high school sweethearts, with their spouses, meet for lunch after 25 years. A long-hidden secret comes out that changes both marriages.

William Borden currently resides in Royse City, TX.

"Sukkott" by Jay Boyer. 10 minute play.

Two actresses, twenties/thirties perhaps? A little comedy about two sisters, one gay and one straight, who return to their mother's house in the Bay Area to celebrate the Jewish holiday of the play's title, a holiday unique as religions go insofar as it celebrates not home or having a home, but rather making a temporary shelter for yourself when a home is out of the question.

Jay Boyer currently resides in Tempe, AZ

"Witnesses" by Christopher King. 45-50 minute play.

Three siblings gather at a modest New England resort before sorting out their deceased mother's estate. Long estranged, they untangle the sexual abuse that has kept them apart.

Christopher King currently resides in Sherborn, MA and is represented by Edythea Ginis Selman Agency in N.Y., NY

For Workshop Category of the OrdinaryEvil.info Project:

Plays in this category did't exactly meet thematic guidelines when submitted. But the playwright convinced us that their intention for the play was within the guidelines. Playwriters in this category have promised to workshop their play to meet the thematic guidelines in the future.

"Cuts Like a Knife" by Debra Wiess 10 minute play.

When two female friends have a simple chat in the kitchen before a dinner party, long-harbored feelings bubble to the surface.

Debra Wiess currently resides in Boston, MA.

"Expensive Accounting" by Claudia Haas. 10 minute play.

Claudia Haas currently resides in White Bear Lake, MN.

"The Favor" by Jens Porup. 10 minute play.

John loves Anne. She's just friends. He'd do anything, anything to prove his love. But when she tells him about the T.A. who spiked her drink and date raped her last summer, and how she wants to get revenge, he has to choose between hoping for her love and his own honor.

Jens Porup is a freelance writer for Lonely Planet currently based in Cali, Colombia.

Opportunities Available for playwrights Selected as Part of the OrdinaryEvil.info Project:

1. Plays Presented to San Francisco Bay Area Directors: Plays will be presented to Directors in the San Francisco Bay Area. These directors will choose which plays they would like to produce during as part of the their current seasons. If these directors already have producers and venues they wish to use, then they will be included in the promotion for both Community Circles Month (if they produce in October) and the Ordinary Evil Project.
2. Online Publication of playwright's Biography: playwrights will have the opportunity to post a complete biography as a playwright, including information about all their plays and background on CulturalArtsCircles.com
3. Participaton in the Formal Discussion: See The Discussion Begins: Guidelines for the Playwright
4. Promotion of Plays Produced at Any Venue: The playwright and/or the producer of an live theatre performance of any play selected as part of this project, can have their event promoted on this website. Open to all venues, at all times, in all locations around the world.
5. Workshop Opportunities: If a playwright has been accepted into the "For Workshop" category or elects to be in this category at a future time, they shall be presented with opportunities to workshop their play, as those opportunities become available.