Announcing My Debut Play, Victoria’s Embrace at OSO Theatre
I am beyond excited to announce that my debut play, Victoria’s Embrace, will be taking the stage at OSO Theatre as part of The OSO Writers’ Studio showcase in November 2024. This experience has been an incredible journey, both as a writer and as a member of the OSO community, and I’d love to share some insights into the process behind bringing this piece to life.
Victoria’s Embrace: A Dive into the Actor’s Mind
Victoria’s Embrace explores the complex duality between an actor and the character they portray. It follows Claire, a talented yet struggling actress tasked with embodying the controlling and intense Victoria Blackwood. As she dives deeper into Victoria’s psyche, Claire begins to lose her grip on where she ends and Victoria begins. The lines blur, the boundaries vanish, and what started as a role transforms into a psychological battle for identity, balance, and self-preservation.
This is a story about how acting can become more than just a craft—it can be a test of one’s own psychological strength. Claire’s journey reflects the challenges many actors face when they dive too deep, struggling to separate themselves from their roles. It’s a narrative that resonates beyond the stage, as it speaks to anyone who has ever found themselves “lost” in an identity that isn’t their own, whether in a job, a relationship, or an ideal they’re trying to live up to.
The OSO Writers’ Studio: A Unique Place for Exploration
Being part of The OSO Writers’ Studio has been a unique and invaluable experience. As a writer, it is easy to get caught up in solitary work. In this program, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside an incredibly supportive group of fellow writers, directors, and actors. We’ve shared our ideas, provided feedback, and cheered each other on through every twist and turn in our scripts.
Weekly sessions at OSO were instrumental in shaping Victoria’s Embrace. Hearing my script read aloud by talented actors was scary but incredibly useful; it allowed me to understand my characters in a deeper way. The collaborative process and open feedback helped refine my story, making each moment count in the compressed ten-minute format.
Packing a powerful story into a short timeframe was a daunting yet rewarding challenge. The OSO Writers’ Studio instilled in me the significance of every word and every silence. The play format was such that we were encouraged to only have two characters on stage, a lot of what is not said out loud is as important as the things that are spelt out.
Crafting a Character-Driven Story in Just Ten Minutes
Writing a two-hander, ten-minute play was both fascinating and daunting. With limited time, you quickly realize that every word uttered should matter in order to have a story that would resonate with the audience and evoke emotions necessitated focusing solely on Claire’s emotional journey.
For me, this meant focusing on Claire’s complex emotions and the psychological weight of her struggle. Claire’s journey isn’t just about an actor playing a role; it’s a journey of self-awareness and emotional resilience (or lack thereof…). Her inner turmoil had to be felt intensely by the audience, as if they were alongside her on this descent into the self—a testament to the potency of dialogue and subtext, especially when limited to such a short format.
The Value of a Creative Community
One of the best parts of the OSO Writers’ Studio has been working with others who love storytelling just as much as I do; in my case though those are usually technical stories and storied told with data. Sharing ideas and working together with other writers helped this story story come to life. Having a group of super talented writers, directors, and actors to bounce ideas off of has been a game-changer for me.
Weekly feedback sessions were like a safe haven where we could experiment, take chances, and get honest feedback. Seeing my fellow writers’ projects grow was a reminder that every creative journey is different, and we all have something unique to offer. The OSO community is like a vibrant and inspiring network where new voices are celebrated and experimentation is encouraged. Having the support of this community has given me the courage to take risks and push the limits of my storytelling.
A Heartfelt Thank You
I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who’s been a part of this incredible journey. The amazing team at OSO Theatre, my fellow writers, and the incredibly talented actors who’ve brought Claire and Victoria to life on stage—thank you all for making this debut possible. A special shoutout to Gina Luker-Edwards for her brilliant direction, and to Georgie Ray and Çian Rouf, whose performances have taken these characters to new heights and added so much depth and intensity that I can’t even begin to describe.
I’m both nervous and excited to share Victoria’s Embrace with you all. This play is more than just a performance; it’s a deep dive into identity, the sacrifices artists make for their craft, and the boundaries we set—or fail to set—between ourselves and the roles we play. I hope that, in those ten minutes, you’ll feel the weight of Claire’s journey and the psychological challenge that lies at the heart of her struggle.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to OSO Theatre for this incredible opportunity. I also want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. I hope you’ll join us for this showcase and experience Victoria’s Embrace, along with the other amazing works that have come out of the OSO Writers’ Studio. It’s been an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this play and my journey as a playwright.
I mentioned my foray into the world of theatre in a previous post. Read about it here: