For this year’s fourth iteration of the Don McCann Playwriting Showcase, The Oswego Players are producing the four standout one act plays from last year’s Don McCann One Act Memorial Playwriting Contest. The 2024 Playwriting Contest was open to all residents of New York State; this resulted in the highest number of submissions in the history of the contest. These four prize winning one acts were chosen from a wide variety of ninety plays. The third play being performed at the 2025 Showcase is “Birthrite” by Lydia Merritt. The synopsis to “Birthrite” is “Out of loneliness, a mother does not want her child to be born, but to stay safe within her. The child fights for the right to be born and live independently.”
The author of “Birthrite”, Lydia Merritt has been writing plays, screenplays, poems and short stories since the early 2000s. She has had staged readings of her work performed at the 13th Street Theater; CUNY Graduate School; United Auto Workers Center; worked with the Moonstone Repertory Company founded by Thelma Carter from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Women’s Theater Rep Co. She taught Theater and Film at Queens College for several years. She recently left the world of academia to devote herself full time to writing.
Jennifer Waugh who plays the mother in “Birthrite” describes being involved this new, interesting one act play. “I am very excited to be doing this show. It is very original, and something everyone should enjoy! I love to see the Oswego Players give such a wonderful opportunity to both new playwrights and new directors as well. It’s such an honor to be able to participate in something like this.”
Will Bandla who plays the Child believes that “The Don McCann Playwriting Showcase is a great opportunity for new playwrights to get their work out into the world, and I’m honored to portray a role in one of this year’s fantastic shows. We’ve got a great cast and crew, and we’re excited about presenting something so special to our audience.”
Stephanie Johnson director of “Birthrite” describes the themes of one act play; “This play is a peek inside the thoughts of a mother and a child’s journey. It has been such a wonderful experience in human emotions. This play also explores our hopes and dreams through the eyes of two completely different characters. I find it a very connecting and thoughtful piece.”
All four prize winning One-Act plays of 2024 Don McCann Playwriting contest will all be presented this year’s Showcase. The Showcase includes “Like Clockwork” by Andrada Angileri, directed by Angella Bandla, “Maybe Tomorrow” by Brian Leahy Doyle, directed by Norman Berlin III, “Birthrite” by Lydia Merritt, directed by Stephanie Johnson and the winner of 2024 “A Matter of Measurements” by Michael Brumm, also directed by Stephanie Johnson.
Tickets are “Pay-What-You-Wish” with the proceeds going towards the Don McCann Memorial Playwriting Contest Fund. Curtain times on Friday, March 7th and Saturday, March 8th are 7:30 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 9th.
Tickets for the 4th Annual Don McCann Playwriting Showcase are available for purchase along with the rest of the Oswego Players 87th season at https://onthestage.tickets/oswego-players-inc/season. Please be aware that all four one act plays feature adult content, so these productions are for an adult audience only. Tickets can also be purchased by clicking the ticket button on oswegoplayers.org or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.
This project is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the NYS Legislature, the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
The Annual Showcase and Playwriting Contest honors the memory of Donald J. McCann, who was a writer, director, former President and longtime historian for the Oswego Players. The annual one act playwriting contest was established in his name and provides New York State playwrights with the opportunity to get their work read and judged. The Donald J. McCann Memorial Playwriting Contest is funded by generous donations received from across the community. All proceeds from this year’s production will benefit the fund’s mission of supporting new theatrical works and their creators.
Jennifer Waugh plays a mother who wants their child to be safe within her womb as the child played by Will Bandla wants the right to be born and act out their own dreams. “Birthrite” by Lydia Merritt is one of the four productions apart of this year’s Don McCann Playwriting Showcase. Performance dates are Friday, March 7th and Saturday March 8th at 7:30 p.m. and a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 9th. Please be aware that all four one act plays feature adult content, so these productions are for an adult audience only. Tickets can be purchased at oswegoplayers.org or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.