All posts by Larry Dean Harris

To Fairfax and beyond!

If you’re reading this, you are most likely a full-fledged instigator with LAFPI, but you may also be a member of the Dramatists Guild of America.

I attended my first annual meeting of the Guild last January, and – to be honest – I was a little starstruck. There I was, having conversations with Tina Howe and Lynn Ahrens and feeling a bit like youknowwho in Oz.

So when the Guild descends upon Fairfax, Virginia, for its first-ever national conference June 9 – 12, you can bet I will be there. It’s going to take priceline, hotwire, Visa and a few borrowed sofas, but it’s going to be worth it.

Because they will all be there: the Marsha Normans, the Christopher Durangs, the Edward Albees. And Julia Jordan with be giving the keynote speech Saturday night on Gender Parity in the Theatre. And I will be interviewing my hero Stephen Schwartz. And there will be a smorgasbord of workshops and interviews from which to choose.

And everyone you rub elbows with will be just like you: a playwright who is passionate about words and ideas and theatre and expression.

Can you afford it? Well, the Guild is sure trying hard to make it affordable. It’s only $375 for members to register for all the events ($325 if you register by May 9). Compare that to the $550 fee for the TCG Conference in LA the following weekend (which doesn’t include any of the names I dropped earlier – I’m just sayin’).

For more info, visit dramatistsguild.com/conference.aspx

This is my final blog for the week. Thanks to Robin and all the faboo LAFPI instigators for welcoming me into the gang.

In the Company of Women

Today was the first rehearsal of a show in which I’m especially proud to play a role. It’s called “Expressing Motherhood,” and I share a stage with 13 amazing women who  tell stories about…well, motherhood.

There are new moms, experienced moms, singing moms, a divorced mom, a mom who gave birth late in her 40s, a mom who’s due in 3 weeks, a woman who never got to be a mom and a mom who shares a story that will stop your heart.

And then there’s me. The only guy.  Batting clean-up in the show with a personal story about my own mom. I hope you will come see it. We open Wednesday at the Elephant Theatre on Santa Monica.  www.expressingmotherhood.com

These women speak such powerful truth: be it funny or furious, sardonic or serious. The stage is bare, but the production is epic.

And I am so fortunate to be in their presence.

It’s the same way I feel about LAFPI. This group has an energy about it that no Super Bowl locker room could ever hope to equal.

When I tell people I’m in a show about motherhood – or a proud member of LAFPI – I get a raised eyebrow or two. And I usually laugh “What can I tell you? Girls are a lot more fun than boys.”  It’s true.

But it’s more than that: women can connect easier, cut through the bullshit faster and get down to business and celebrate what’s truly important in a far more spectacular fashion.

And the food?  It’s always good, and it’s always plentiful. And this fella is just happy to have a seat at the table.

I’m proud to be the first male blogger. Thanks to LAFPI for letting me join your cool club, and congrats on your first anniversary!