After leading the Centenary Stage Company Women Playwright Series through 30 years of growth and excitement, Catherine Rust is happy to now hand the reins to their talented artistic colleague and WPS committee member, Mikaela Kafka.

Over the years Rust has led the Women Playwrights Series Program to help promote over 100 playwrights through the annual readings and the CSC Equity mainstage productions in partnership with the Susan Glaspell Award. Rust will continue to be a part of the Women Playwrights Series as an advisor. Regarding the program and its new director, Rust had this to say: “When we began this mission (in 1992), only 5% of all the plays being produced on the professional stages of the country were written by women. It’s not hard to infer what an impact that had, not only on our society, but more importantly on the way women were seeing themselves represented in the world. And I find myself heartened by the fact that, in recent years, the number of women playwrights being produced has finally begun to grow, to as high as 26% of all plays produced in 2017. Is that enough? (You know my answer!)”

She continued: “As the time has arrived for me to pass the baton to a leader with the energy, insights, and experience to take our program to the next level, I am delighted to watch theatre artist Mikaela Kafka take up the mantel. As a long-time, dedicated member of the WPS reading committee, Mikaela comes to the mission with the benefit of a depth of knowledge of its long history. As an active director and actor, she also brings a well -rounded perspective to the process, in addition to a rich network of relationships built during her own career of developing new work for the theatre. I feel confident that the program is in good hands.”

Kafka directed the 2019 production of “Apples in Winter” by Jennifer Fawcett and starring Colleen Smith-Wallnau.

She took the time to answer some questions about her career, the Women Playwrights Series, and working in the theatre industry:

CSC: You’ve been a part of the Women Playwrights Series committee for many years, how has participating in this program influenced how you approach theatre?

K: I have learned so much. I was honored when Catherine Rust asked me to join. I had always had a passion for new works. Within the WPS program, I have really begun to realize how important it is and have honed my ability to know what the audience needs to hear and see, and when. From adjudication to in-depth discussions with the playwright, casting, rehearsing, putting it in front of an audience, and getting that immediate feedback!? The process is invaluable for all involved…well at least it has been for me.

CSC: When choosing plays for the staged reading is there a specific genre or trope that usually sticks out to you?

K: I love a good story! Historical pieces always interest me. But the major dynamic that draws me is a play that exploits the medium of theatre, nonlinear through lines, comedy, heightened reality. All of these illicit a fast-paced energy of entertainment. And through this, intrinsically you are moved. And hopefully have an engaging conversation in the car on the way home.

CSC: You’ve worked both as a director and an actor for these new plays, do you prefer one job over the other?

K: Theatre is truly a collaborative process. Each link in the chain is necessary. I love the team effort aspect. So, whatever part I am asked to do in order to further the piece…I am IN.

Submissions Sought for Women’s Playwrights Series

Submissions are being accepted through Nov. 11.

Plays must be full-length with no prior AEA productions and no more than 7 characters. Submissions must include a cover letter and one letter of recommendation. Only digital submissions will be accepted and can be sent to wps@centenarystageco.org or via the New Play Exchange (NPX). More information can be found at centenarystageco.org or by calling the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979-0900.

The Women Playwrights Series is a developmental program dedicated to providing a working forum for the unique and under-served voice of women writing for the theatre today. Each season three new plays are selected for a collaborative workshop process, with a professional director and actors. A brief rehearsal period of approximately one week, allows time for the playwright to hear and adapt their work with other professionals. The process culminates in a presentation of the work for the general public as part of the series, giving CSC audiences larger exposure to new work.

For more information about the program visit centenarystageco.org or call the box office at (908) 979-0900.

Photo above: Colleen Smith-Wallnau in “Apples in Winter.”