Splash Features playwright, cultural mythologer and author Laura Shamas, Ph.D on mythopoetry.com




	Splash Feature published 8-31-07
	Playwright, Cultural Mythologer, Author Laura Shamas, Ph.D *New Play: "Pistachio Stories"; New Book: "We Three"*
	Bio Native Oklahoman, writer Laura Annawyn Shamas is a playwright, author and mythologer. Laura holds a Ph.D. in Mythological Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria, California. She has taught at Catholic University of America, Pepperdine University, and the University of Southern California and is published widely in journals, newspapers, and news media. An accomplished playwright, Laura's achievements include thirty plays as well as a dramatic writing textbook (Playwriting for Theater, Film and Television, 1991). She also has worked in film writing/consulting. Her book "We Three": The Mythology of Shakespeare's Weird Sisters was published in January 2007 by Peter Lang USA. Laura Shamas, Ph.D. playwright, author ythologer NewPlay Among a number of plays circulating this year is Pistachio Stories by Laura Shamas. The provocative play centers around a diverse group of friends who meet regularly to share "real" news about the current political situation in the Middle East. When one of them receives an anonymous bag of red pistachios from Syria, it triggers a series of events which threatens their friendships and sense of community. The ten-minute play ran throughout this past summer between June 22 - July 5th at 6th@Penn Theatre's Human Rights Festival 2007. If you missed seeing it then, you can catch the newer ninety minute version of the play (also read at the Soho Theatre this past June 2007 as one of the winners of the North American Actors Association Playreading Festival) which will be part of Playwrights WEEK 2007 at the Lark Play Development Center in NYC. If you're in New York at this time, please come and check out the shows! PISTACHIO STORIES is at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 28. Laura Shamas’ plays have been produced by Philadelphia Theater Company, Denver Center Theater Company, Walnut Street Theater, Studio Arena, West Coast Ensemble and Grove Street Playhouse (NYC), among others. Her work has been developed by Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Old Globe, The Geva Theater, and The Utah Shakespearean Festival. She has nine published plays (including Up to Date, Lady-Like, Portrait of a Nude, Picnic At Hanging Rock). Dr. Shamas received a 2007 Aurand Harris Fellowship from the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America. The short version of Pistachio Stories was originally read at Soho Theatre, London (2006), and in ReOrient 2006 Festival, San Francisco (Golden Thread Productions). ................................................ New Book Synopsis: The Weird Sisters, from William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, are arguably the most famous trio of witches in English literature. Shakespeare's Weird Sisters are a complex trinitarian mythological construction - a unique amalgamation of classical, folkloric, and socio-political elements. This book is an archetypal exploration of the Weird Sisters; by examining this feminine trio through the lens of mythology, new insights about their significance may be understood. The ramifications extend from classical comprehension to twenty-first century pop culture observations related to female trios. Renowned writer on contemporary depth psychology, Ginette Paris has commented regarding this study, "It is especially valuable because it brings to the same conversation the scholars of Shakespeare and those interested in mythology." .................................................. .................................................. *FYI:* Pistachio Stories airs at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 28 at *The Lark Play Development Center* located at: 939 Eighth Avenue, between 55th and 56th Streets, NYC. For more info see www.larktheatre.org ..........We Three: The Mythology of Shakespeare's Weird Sisters, published in 2007 by Peter Lang, USA can be purchased here
	extended reading Being A Role Model by Douglas Edy Look for Laura's point of view on role models for women in culture; she is quoted in the article. OLD PROBLEM, NEW MYTH; Y2K HYPE LATEST MANIFESTATION OF HUMANITY'S RESISTANCE TO CHANGE by Laura Shamas Essay written originally for the Los Angelos Daily News. Published June 20, 1999 it explores apocalyptic images governing fin siecle, Y2K, etc. additional links laurashamas.com Peter Lang Publishing Group Lark Play Development Center Playwright's Week 2007 dramaticpublishing.com playscripts.com