Recently two New York Times articles were about playwrights and their ages. 

“The Next Hot Playwright? They Prefer the Ones Who Cooled Off.” With their Tent Theater Company, Tim Sanford and Aimée Hayes want to raise the profiles of older artists and keep them from being sidelined. By Laura Collins-Hughes on Feb. 10, 2025   

The Tent Theatre only produces works by playwrights 60 and older.  

And this article, “For Playwrights, Making It to Midcareer Is a Cliffhanger” Act 1 was a constant struggle for rent and opportunity. But now that these emerging dramatists have emerged, what will they make of Act 2?” by Jesse Green on Feb 19th, 2025.

Green contemplates the ages of playwrights in their 40s who are considered mid-career. 

So, of course, I’m wondering where I fit?  As an accomplished theatre artist with 2 degrees, and 15 years of experience as an Artistic Director of an original devising company, who has won a few prestigious grants and snagged a few awards along the way…and yet has only begun to market myself and my work as a “Playwright” in the capital P sense. 

What is between emerging and emerged?

Blooming.   I hope.  

I have always been a late bloomer.  I didn’t get my period until I was almost 16 years old.  And when you grow up in a constricted and stifling religious environment that wasn’t right for your growth, you have to put down roots in other places where the sunshine and soil better fits your needs – it takes more time to find your voice – and then to develop and cultivate your artistic voice as well. I’m not complaining here.  I’m just observing and earnestly wondering. 

Recently, a play of mine was chosen by a New York theatre company to be read in a special series that brought together different generational artists.  During my zoom call with the two vibrant 20-something artistic directors, they excitedly told me how they wanted to add my play to a special reading series for playwrights 30 and below and and playwrights 60’s and older.  

And I was like, “But…I’m in my 40’s…”

“Oh,” they said, “We thought you were younger.”

“I’m still blooming,” I said, “but I can’t be those ages.  I’m don’t fit into the those age groups.”

The phone call ended.  And I haven’t heard from them since. 

Why is theatre so focused on aging, ages and what stories are told at different age stages?  Why do we talk about what Shakespeare wrote at different stages of his life? As if it’s a prescription that inevitably happens to us all – all playwrights as one conglomerate story-telling group? 

I am an Aging Artist.  Two big scarlet letters.  But I am also a growing artist – somewhere between puberty and menopause.

Also, the first article talks about how The Tent Theatre produced, “Where Women Go” by Tina Howe in April of 2023 only 4 months before she died in August at the age of 85.  

I’m including a Facebook post that I wrote when I learned of Tina Howe’s death.  Honestly, I just want to keep it here along with the photos so I that can find it easily again.  She was special to me, and I miss her.

Where do WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS GO? Off to their New York Times Obituaries if they are lucky.

And their plays outlive them.

Let’s hope.