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.

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!