I had an amazing time working on a new piece by Amy Harris entitled NO PLAN B, brought to life by the talented and charismatic Courtney McClellan and Brian Morvant.

(psst... as a friend and follower of mine, I got you a discount code: BATF2017)

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Cheers,
Ria as THE SKELETON REP

Folks, I finally got it together to plan ahead.
I have organized the next three salons. 
​One week from today, my living room will see SEVERANCE by Jack Horton Gilbert. Have I mentioned it's a post-apocalyptic play set in space?
On April 21st, I will be hosting HUNGRY by Lia Romeo.  It's a contemporary American take on the Minotaur myth.
For May, I am hoping for the salon to double as my birthday party! I am also looking for this to be The Skeleton Rep's second ever CALL TO ACTION.  That means I need you!  Here's the prompt:

Write a short piece (one act, short play, monologue, song, etc!) about/inspired by a little-known woman in history. I've collected some names over the years as inspiration:
Enheduanna (earliest known author/poet)
Hypatia (Philosopher of ancient Alexandria)
Marina Chapman (raised by monkeys)
Martha Rountree (began Meet The Press)
Henrietta Swan Leavitt (Astronomer)
Miriam A. Ferguson (First Female Governor of Texas)
Bridget Cleary ("Last Witch of Ireland")

The due date for these pieces is Thursday April 13th. Please submit your piece to theskeletonrep@gmail.com. You can also feel free to send an "intent to submit" email and I'll check in with you before the due date :-)

I need a minimum of five pieces to make this salon happen, so be brave! I can't wait to see what you do.

Today, the soul of a rising star was buried. I never had the fortune to meet Sham myself, but I have been touched by those who knew him.  After attending his vigil last week, I felt moved to share what I experienced there, to give some of what he offered to all of those whom we knew.  This is for you, Sham, and for the light you give everyone, even now.

A Man I Was About to Know: A Soliloquy
by Ria T. DiLullo
dedicated to Shamsuddin Abdul Hamid

This Friday past, twenty people gathered in my living room.  Josh Watkins tossed pizza like a true champ.  We met Paisley, a Millennial Marcher curating her Facebook Live post while on the scene; Emily demanded our attention through her well crafted rhetoric and poise.  I performed my piece, which you can see now!  Keep a watchful eye, more video highlights might be coming...

If you missed this salon, fear not!  March 2017 is already in the works with SEVERANCE by Jack Gilbert.  Some of you might remember Jack from a salon last year, where we witnessed a guy doing a radio show at the end of the world for no one.  Now, we offer you it's companion piece.  It's the same post-apocalyptic world, but now, it's a space station.  March 24th @ 7pm.  Keep an eye out for details. 

Tomorrow, playwrights and performers will pile into my living room in the afternoon.  We'll rehearse together for a few hours.  Then, at 7pm, I look forward to opening my home with those who want to witness the work.  Oh yeah, and a close friend of mine and long-time salon attendee will be making fresh in-house pizzas.  You'll want to be here for that. 

Come for the views (actual shots above!) and pizza, stay for the theatre and people!
To receive the full address, email me!
And lastly... BYOB!  Other than that, it's free :-)

Cheers,
Ria

FRIENDS!  I did some math recently, and I realized that, after doing Salons since 2014, in one iteration or another, this is number 20! With 7 new shorts, 10 performers, and the same living room with a whole new configuration ( ! ), I feel like this should be a celebration. You know the drill...

[...]There was an odd moment, before the March,
When not everyone knew what the pussy
Hat was all about. My parents called it,
"Cute."  Men looked me up and down with a wink.
An internal struggle arose, my mind
Unsure how to share kindly that my hat
Is called a Pussy Hat, that us Pussies
Have gathered in sisterhood to protest
The perspective of the man moving in
To run our country into his pockets -
- and pants - before his term is completed.
Then, on the Thursday eve before, standing
Outside the Cherry Lane Theatre, the Ghost
Light Ceremony about to begin,
An experience of recognition.
"I like your hat," she said.  I looked around.
She was easy to find as the only
Other Puss in the crowd.  We both smiled
For the budding sorority that we
Well knew was on the brink of bursting forth. [...]

Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in the revival of the Salon Series, which I believe to be the heart of this company. Mark it in your calendars, folks - February 24 @ 7pm.  Email theskeletonrep@gmail.com to receive the address!

This Salon will be the first ever series of short pieces, written by Stephen Brown, Amanda Bruton, Veronica Cooper, Amanda Martinez, Andi Morrow, Emily Claire Schmitt, and... yours truly, Ria T. DILullo!

Keep an eye out for casting announcements and a formal invite in your inbox/on Facebook.