Rachel Bublitz

Writer

Getting What You Want Is Terrifying

There are a lot of stories out there that deal with the struggle you have to go through to get what you want. Fairytales are a great example of this… The heroes have to be brave or pious, stand up to evil, etc., and then they get to live happily ever after (and yes there’s a whole lot of women getting treated terribly, but that’s for another day’s post). I am, as I think a lot of people are, used to this type of story. Because when you really want something it feels good to go after it without abandon. At least it does for me…. The trouble with these stories (let’s say one of the troubles of these stories), is that they end once the character gets what they want. And hey, I get it, that’s basic dramatic structure… Character x wants something, there’s an obstacle, then struggle, then they either get it or don’t get it, and then the story ends. My question for today is… What happens when you do get what you want? Terrifying prospect, no?

A few years ago I was over-weight which resulted in me dislocating my knee (major pain). After that I decided that I wanted to be healthier and started to eat less and move more… Which resulted in weight loss. Good, yes? For the most part yes. It was what I wanted. But there was about six months where my new slimmer figure gave me severe anxiety. I got complimented whenever I went out, I noticed people smiling at me more, being checked out more, family and friends would fawn over me whenever I’d see them… And this freaked me the (sorry for the language) fuck out. I had gotten what I wanted. I had set out to lose weight, there were obstacles, I met them, I was victorious. But then what do you do?

Next example… About eight months after I first started to write plays, I got three acceptances all in one week; a reading, a production (of a short play), and a publication (of a short play). I was anxious for a month!

And now… My play, The Fantasy Club, opens on Friday, 31 Plays 31 Days seems bigger than ever, I’m starting grad school, then the Fringe plays (Buy tickets here, for my Fringe show), then Under The Gods’ Golden Cleats, and who even knows what’s next! I’m just saying it’s a lot, and I feel funny about it. I want it, and I’ve been working my butt of for all of these things, but I’m just not sure how to act now that I have it.

I suppose time is the answer… You get used to what you have once you have it… And then you get the joy of wanting, struggling, getting, and freaking out, all over again! Am I wrong? Thoughts?

Changing the subject….

BUY TICKETS FOR THE FANTASY CLUB:

http://fantasyclub.brownpapertickets.com/

Or here:

http://www.goldstar.com/events/san-francisco-ca/the-fantasy-club

*Goldstar has only a couple of seats left for Friday, so move fast!

Have You Purchased Your Tickets for the FANTASY CLUB Yet? #thefantasyclub

Some people need a lot of reminding… Which is why every day until the show ends (or the runs sells out), I’ll be reminding you TO BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR The Fantasy Club! Now. Buy them now… Now!

Do that ticket-buying here:

http://fantasyclub.brownpapertickets.com/

Or here:

http://www.goldstar.com/events/san-francisco-ca/the-fantasy-club

If you go with Goldstar, there is a limited amount of tickets, so you should really get on that.

So you have secured your tickets? Great… Now go tell all of your friends to get tickets too. It’s not fair to keep something so good, and so funny to yourself.

I will see you at the show!

The FANTASY CLUB’s Opening Night Is FRIDAY #thefantasyclub

I can’t believe it, but opening night of The Fantasy Club is FRIDAY! As in this Friday! The show is going to be HILARIOUS. One that you do not want to miss! I mean, look at this cast:

Siobhan Doherty… Frances

Tavis Kammet… Max

Claire Rice… Samantha

Rob Dario… Jacob

And with Tracy Held Potter as the director, you know it’s going to be good! And to sweeten the pot, you should know this is the LAST show that Tracy will direct before she goes leaves for grad school next month.

The time is now, friends… BUY YOUR TICKETS!

You have two choices:

http://fantasyclub.brownpapertickets.com/

Or, you can try for discounted tickets (there aren’t a lot, so jump on it!):

http://www.goldstar.com/events/san-francisco-ca/the-fantasy-club

Lots of great people involved, and a sexy/hilarious script. You know what to do!

I’ll be at every single show, so say, “Hi,” when you’re there!

My Saturday #postplay

Day three of our warm up! Today my play came to me when I was out on a run…

A park.

MOM You’re not allowed to sleep in the park! There are children playing, I should call the police and get you arrested.

TRAMP At least I don’t shit in the park.

MOM Excuse me? I would never-

TRAMP Your son just shit on the slide.

#postplay

Today’s #postplay on App.net

It’s day two in 31 Plays in 31 Days’s warm up on app.net, and the #postplays keep rolling in! I dreamt my play last night, that is my level of dedication…

This #postplay has no title.

A backyard.

CLOUD Praise me or you will never know the sun’s warmth again!

MAN The wind will blow, you cannot stop that.

CLOUD If that is what you believe, you do not understand the world, and you do not deserve the sun!

Stage darkens, end.

#postplay

Join in the fun! Go to app.net and sign up for a free account by following this link: http://join.app.net/from/nfmgxkmhdc.

#postplays, Plays in 256 Characters or Less

31 Plays in 31 Days starts LESS than a week. What am I doing in while I wait for August 1st? Well, honestly like 1,000 things… But one of those things is warming up for the challenge on app.net. For the next 5 days playwrights will be writing one #postplay a day and then posting them onto app.net. These are plays with 256 characters or less (and I’m talking about letters and punctuations, not the people that are in the play). There have been some great plays posted so far, you should check them out! Here’s mine from today:

Giraffe: Did you hear? We’re getting another panda.

Lion: (Roars) Are you kidding me?

G: Once there’s a baby, we’re screwed.

L: I don’t get it. Why are pandas so damn popular?

G: They’re fat and lazy, people like the familiar, you know?

#postplay

The funny thing is that I’ve had the idea for this play FOR OVER A YEAR! Yeah, so there’s that. Anyway, if you’re interested in flexing your writing muscles and seeing what all the fuss is about #postplays, here’s how you can do it:

  • Go to app.net and sign up for a free account by following this link: http://join.app.net/from/nfmgxkmhdc
  • Follow @31plays31days on app.net.
  • Start writing! We’re posting a play a day for 5 days!
  • And be sure to use the hash tag #postplay (but if you need the characters, don’t worry about this one!).

Upcoming Shows That You Should Know About

There are a lot of great theatre events on coming up and/or happening now! You should know about them, so you can go!

Playwrights Foundation’s Bay Area Playwrights Festival, now – 7/28

Playwrights Foundation’s annual festival is in full swing, and we’re entering on it’s final weekend. This year features six brand new plays!

Before & After by Erin Bregman

Grapples with memory and afterlife in a metaphysical journey

The Brothers Paranormal by Prince Gomolvilas

Serves up real and imagined Ghosts, in a Thai style sci-fi mystery

FSM by Joan Holden

A play about the Free Speech Movement, a partnership with Stagebridge Theatre

brownsville song (b-side for tray) by Kimber Lee

A poetic, dreamlike, and tragic meditation on the cost of inner city violence

Hannah and the Dread Gazebo by Jiehae Park

North vs South Korea can’t stop the wild beasts of the DMZ

and

The Comparables by Laura Schellhardt

A ballsy satire between three women at the top of their game

The festival comes to a close this Sunday, for show times and tickets go to playwrightsfoundation.org

San Francisco Theater Pub’s Pint Sized Plays IV, July 29th, and 30th at 8pm

You only have TWO more chances to see Pint Sized IV. Don’t hate yourself later, see the show! Here’s the line-up for all of those forgetful folks out there:

Multitasking by Christian Simonsen, directed by Jonathan Carpenter

The Apotheosis of Grandma Shimkin by Sang Kim, directed by Charles Lewis III

200-Proof Robot by Kirk Shimano, directed by Neil Higgins

Tree by Peter Hsieh, directed by Colin Johnson

All Our Fathers by Carl Lucania, directed by Meghan O’Connor

The Last Beer in the World by Megan Cohen, directed by Tracy Held Potter

Mark +/– by Dan Ng, directed by Adam Sussman

Llama IV by Stuart Bousel, directed by Colin Johnson

Pint Sized Plays IV opens July 15th, at Cafe Royale in San Francisco at 8pm. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.

Just Theater presents A MAZE by Rob Handel, now – August 4th

I am super excited to be seeing this play on Sunday. I have heard SO many great things about it.

A dizzying, dazzling, ambitious work, Rob Handel’s A MAZE interweaves a teenage girl recreating her identity after eight years held captive in a suburban basement, a pair of rock stars re-inventing themselves after a hit song, and a self-taught artist gaining a cult following for his 15,000-page comic book.

All performances at 8pm Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman)

To purchase tickets in advance, go to justtheater.brownpapertickets.com

31 Plays in 31 Days, August 1st – 31st

This one is nice and simple, you don’t even have to leave your house! All you have to do is write 31 plays in the month of August. Simple, easy, AWESOME! You can still sign up! We’re 8 days away from all the fun, you don’t want to miss it.

AGE OF BEAUTY by Stuart Bousel, August 1st – 17th

I’ve been lucky to see a few plays written by Stuart Bousel, and because of that I make sure not to miss anything new that’s being produced. Here’s a bit about the play from the facebook event page:

The Age of Beauty, written and directed by Stuart Bousel, is a 90 minute one-act play developed from four conversations between four pairs of women.

In New York, Susan (Emma Rose Shelton) and Regina (Sylvia Hathaway) are re-united for the first time after a decade of not speaking, and over lunch they dance around the possibility of rekindling their friendship. In Oakland, long-distance friends Imogen (Emma Rose Shelton) and Jenny (Sylvia Hathaway) are having lunch during Imogen’s visit to the Bay Area following the birth of Jenny’s first child and the publication of Imogen’s book about their mutual past. On a train between Oakland and New York, Lisa (Allison Page) and Deva (Megan Briggs), who have been attending the same yoga class for the last year, negotiate taking their budding friendship to a deeper level. In separate places, Pauline (Megan Briggs) and Vera (Allison Page) each contemplate the end of their romantic relationship with one another, and how we process a relationship that has run its course.

Sort of The Heidi Chronicles meets My Dinner With Andre, this quiet comedy is about how we change, how we grow apart, how we grow back together again, and how our perceptions of each other bridge or create the distance between any two people at any given time in our lives.

Lighting Design by Wil Turner IV. Sound Design by Jim Lively. Art Design by Cody Rishell.

August 1-17, 8 PM, at the Exit Theatre in San Francisco.

Tickets available at:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/405100

Exit Theatre, 156 Eddy St, San Francisco, California 94102-2708

THE FANTASY CLUB by Rachel Bublitz, August 2nd – 11th

Like how I snuck my play in there? I just know how sad you’d be if you forgot to come out to see this hilarious sex comedy, it’s you I worry about, really.

Here are the details about the MUST SEE SHOW OF THE SUMMER:

The Fantasy Club by Rachel Bublitz

Directed by Tracy Held Potter

August 2 – 11, 2013

(Fri & Sat at 8pm, Sun at 5pm)

The Alcove Theater, 414 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA

Starring

Siobhan Marie Doherty*, Rob Dario, Claire Rice, and Tavis Kammet

*Nominated for the 2013 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award

Purchase tickets here: http://fantasyclub.brownpapertickets.com/.

After you buy your tickets, tell ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS! It’s going to be a good time, I promise.

City Lights New Play Reader Series presents FRIAR LAZARO by Bridgette Dutta Portman, August 6th at 8pm

Especially if you’re in or near San Jose, this reading is for you!

Friar Lazaro, or the King of Terrors

Directed by Steve M. Boyle

August 6, 2013, 8:00 PM

City Lights Theater

529 South 2nd St., San Jose, CA

Tickets $10 at door ($5 City Lights subscribers)

Set in a Spanish mission in 19th-century California, Friar Lazaro tells the story of a young padre whose religious doubts lead him to madness and murder. Lazaro, tormented by the possibility that that nothing lies beyond death, begins to murder ill Indians in order to witness their dying visions. Unsatisfied, he turns on the other inhabitants of the mission, including the Indian woman who was once his secret lover.

Saturday Write Fever, August 17th at 8:30

This event is always a blast, seriously, if you haven’t already go and see for yourself what all the fuss it about! Here’s a tiny bit about the event:

Every third Saturday of the month, we invite writers, actors, directors, theater creators and theater audiences alike to a free evening of quick script-making and flash-fried performance!

If you need more, hit up their facebook event page). RSVP, then go!

Long list, I know, August is a hot month for theatre in the Bay Area! And it just keeps getting hotter with the SF Fringe Festival, BOA, and San Francisco Olympians’ Festival just around the corner! Now get out there and see some shows!!!

Buy Your Tickets for the FANTASY CLUB

Have you purchased your tickets for The Fantasy Club? Well, this is your weekly reminder that you SHOULD! There are only 6 performances, and the show opens in 10 days! You remember what happened with the Cat Ladies show, right? Buy your tickets now! Here are all the details:

The Fantasy Club by Rachel Bublitz

Directed by Tracy Held Potter

August 2 – 11, 2013

(Fri & Sat at 8pm, Sun at 5pm)

The Alcove Theater, 414 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA

Starring

Siobhan Marie Doherty*, Rob Dario, Claire Rice, and Tavis Kammet

  • Nominated for the 2013 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award

Join us for a hilarious ride through the mind of Bay Area writer, Rachel Bublitz by supporting All Terrain Theater’s production of “The Fantasy Club.” A stay-at-home-mom herself, Bublitz is known for her strong comedic writing and holds nothing back in this sexy comedy about Frances, a housewife who finds herself in the arms of the man she’s been fantasizing about since high school. Uh-oh!

This is All Terrain Theater’s fourth season producing original new work in the San Francisco Bay Area, and we’re thrilled to bring this show to The Alcove Theater for six amazing performances between August 2 – 11.

Purchase tickets here: http://fantasyclub.brownpapertickets.com/

New Play!

I’m writing something brand new, and it is terrifying. Pretty sure that means it is exactly what I should be working on right now. It’s very different from what I thought I’d be writing right now (I was planning on spending the summer working on a science fiction play that would have a giant squid), but it is something that I’ve been trying to write for a long time… I think sometimes it just takes month for my mind to unlock the secret story within an idea.

It’s surreal, and dark, and so far not funny (at least not to me, but I’ve been wrong before!). Want a taste? Course you do. Keep in mind this is super rough…

This conversation is between a woman, Camile, and her 13 year-old self, Milly… Probably won’t make sense out of context, but I’m not sure it makes sense in context yet. That’s what rewrites are for!

MILLY The truck pulled up.

CAMILE I’d seen it before.

MILLY Twice?

CAMILE Three times.

MILLY He asked for directions.

CAMILE He always asked for directions.

MILLY And I went to him.

CAMILE The first few times I didn’t get close.

MILLY But it was hard to see, I couldn’t tell where he was trying to go.

CAMILE I couldn’t see his map from far away. I got close to see the map.

MILLY He wasn’t wearing a shirt.

CAMILE Why wasn’t he wearing a shirt?

MILLY It’s the beach, it gets hot.

CAMILE Not in the middle of the night.

MILLY I got close.

CAMILE When I got close I saw he was totally naked.

MILLY When I got close I saw that he was…

CAMILE When I got close I saw that he was totally naked and touching himself.

MILLY I tried to get away.

CAMILE When I got close I saw that he was masturbating.