Kirt Shineman
Phoenix, AZ
Kirt Shineman is a Phoenix-based playwright and Professor of Communication. Kirt has been a playwright at the Great Plains Theatre Conference, Kennedy Center Am
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Biography

Kirt Shineman is a Phoenix-based playwright, dramaturg, and Professor of Communication. Kirt has been a playwright at the TheaterWorks Westival, Great Plains Theatre Conference, Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, The Hormel New Works Fest, Crede Writers' Retreat, DC Black Theatre Conference, and a few more. His topics range from the personal (Allie Opp’s Last Fantastic Day – Emerging Artists Theater, Off-Broadway) to the political (Forbidden Glass- O’Neill semi-finalist, Chicago Pride Films & Plays). His play, Germs and Viruses, (O’Neill semi-finalist, Sundance Theater Lab finalist, & NNPN finalist) had its premiere at Arizona State University Mainstage Theater in 2015. He has degrees from Arizona State University (MFA- Dramatic Writing), Emerson College (MA- Communication), and Colorado State Un. (Rhetoric & Theater). 

As playwright, dramaturg, and teacher, Kirt received his Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing at Arizona State University. His play Germs and Viruses received a production as part of ASU’s Main Stage Studio Series. Kirt''s play AIRDROP received a workshop reading at the Hormel New Works Festival and a staged reading in Hawaii at the KCACTF Region VIII One Act Finalist. Sea Fairies received a run this spring as a part of Brelby Theatre's season in Glendale, AZ. Currently, Kirt is working on a Chet Baker musical, a sequal to Sea Fairies entitled Sky Island, and his play Junction Creek (second in the trailer park series) will be workshoped at TheaterWorks in Peoria, AZ, summer of 2016. 

Plays

Germs and Viruses
by Kirt Shineman

In Levant, a place just like Syria, a conspiracy begins to grow, and people in Levant begin to believe in the existence of a hidden reality behind the familiar reality, the idea that what one thought was going on all the time was in fact, in large part, an illusion or deception. A blogger, Seban, tries to rally support for the pro-democracy movement, but is caught in a quagmire of twisted and humorous intrigue. Who will believe the propaganda for the truth, or the truth for the propaganda? 

Cast:
STAGE MANAGER [could be the authentic stage manager] SEBAN A college aged “woman” in a black hijab (Sunni) AMBASSADOR He looks like John Bolton SECRETARY She looks like Hilary Clinton SECRETARY’S SECRETARY The Secretary’s assistant (aide) RUSSEL A man with a slight build. ISHTAR A Sunni woman in her 40’s BASHAD A Sunni man in his 40’s MOTHER A Sunni woman in her 40’s OFFICER An Alawite policeman in his 40’s OFFICER TWO Young Alawite (Alawiyyin) police officer DAMA A beautiful woman in a blue hijab small and athletic FATHER A Sunni man in his 40’s REPORTER A British television talk-show host like Piers Morgan HELENA An upper-class British woman POLICE From the country where the play is performed.
AIRDROP
by Kirt Shineman

In 2011, when reporter Anton Suryapin is arrested by the Belarus KGB, his pregnant girlfriend, Polina, calls on all of her friends to help with his release. She contacts Tomas and Hannah, owners of Sweden's ad agency Studio Total. In an effort to help Polina’s boyfriend, on 4th July, 2012, Tomas and Hannah illegally fly their small plane from Lithuania to Belarus and drop nearly nine-hundred parachute-wearing teddy bears on Minsk. The teddy bears land unhindered, with their messages of freedom, but the fall-out from the airdrop on everyone involved, especially Polina, Anton, Tomas, and Hannah, changes their lives forever. (Based on true events.) The airdrop event emboldened many Belarusians to rise up to their inherent status. They discovered their authoritative presence. Through the teddy bear drop the Swedes try to get the Belarusians to rise up to resurrect themselves; to awaken after years of hibernation and find their own teeth. 

Cast:
ANTON SURYAPIN a 20-ish reporter & photographer for Bel Gazeta Newspaper, which means he almost blends in to the crowds. POLINA ZARYECHNAYA a 20-ish pregnant Belarussian flamboyant beauty school drop-out. KGB AGENT SENKO Mid-30. Officer he never stoops too low for the intelligence agency. He has a brace on his leg. KGB CAPTAIN IHAR Mid-30. The top of the KGB. What does he look like? A vault for a face, a body of a runner. He has a huge red-birth-mark on his face. TOMAS MAZETTI Mid-30 adventurer. Works at the Swedish ad agency, Studio Total, specializing in unusual publicity stunts. He is almost handsome and wears very American colorful clothes. HANNAH FREY Early to Mid-30’s. German by origin and friend with Tomas. She’s a woman of the world who likes American fashions. JUDGE played by TOMAS in a white wig of crazy hair. CIOTKA ANNA A slightly older farm woman and aunt to Polina (Played by the same actress as Hannah)
Forbidden Glass
by Kirt Shineman

What story would a refugee tell to get freedom and love? When Javad escapes from Iran, he needs help attaining asylum in Turkey. He encounters American reporter, Barry. Through stories of forbidden passion Javad sweet-talks Barry into reuniting Javad with his true love, Harun, and getting him an interview at the embassy. Unluckily, Barry’s thoughtful assistance has unforeseen consequences for everyone. 

Cast:
JAVAD This 23 year-old male, Iranian artist, with dark shaggy curly hair, brown eyes, feels most comfortable dressed in jeans, a sweater, and boots, to show his masculine and well-built body. Rather than handsome, Javad is beautiful, almost delicate, beardless, and tempting. His hair sets him apart from BARRY. {He is NAGHALI most of the time, except when Harun does the “role”.} The NAGHALI is a male traditional Iranian storyteller in a caftan, with a “talking stick” who can sing and speaks lyrically. He is Scheherasade. BARRY As an American reporter (male) with fair-hair he tries to conceal both his youthful twenty-something age and his intelligence. His Western style, as shown in his light genuine leather luggage, rugged and modern camera and cowboy boots, adds to his buccaneer swagger. Something about him makes him sexy; perhaps his attractiveness stems from his glamorous, yet strongly masculine blonde hair, or maybe from his well-defined body. HARUN In any corporate office, when this princely 43-year-old, enters he trumps the underlings with his stature alone. He is first an Iranian wealthy business man, well dressed, striking and muscular, but secondly, he is liberal and touching. FATHER A large beefy man in size and voice who maybe in his early 60’s. As Javad’s father he demands respect. SISTER a young woman, smart and beautiful INVESTIGATOR a Turkish man/woman BASIJI ONE an Iranian secret police BASIJI TWO another Iranian secret police BUS DRIVER
The Pornographer
by Kirt Shineman

When real-life artist, Egon Schiele, is charged with raping and kidnapping of a young girl, his trial becomes a landmark and his artwork is deemed pornography. Charged with immoral and depraved behavior, Egon fights for his freedom. His ordeal places him, his art and his lifestyle with his girlfriend, Wally, on trial. The court case calls into question Egon's radical upbringing and his development as an artist. Will he be erased or will he draw freely?

Cast:
EGON SCHIELE: Austrian painter, 16-19 years-old; a latter-day James Dean, muscular, thin, innocent, striking, and sexy. WALLY (VALERIE) NEUZIL: Early 30’s- model, prostitute, lover, 13 years Egon’s senior; she thinks her body is her prop- a modern cougar. JUDGE: 40’s- in a heavy long white wig (double cast) PROFESSOR GRIEPENKERL: 40’s- Vienna Academy professor (double cast) GUSTAV KLIMT: Late 40’s- famous Austrian painter wears a caftan. TATJANA VON MOSSING: Early Teens- naïve, poverty-struck girl with a squash
Benkelman
by Kirt Shineman

Inspired by real events, Benkelman is about the cycle of poverty and women. In the 60’s as America’s feminist movement was in full swing, and Robin-Sue, a down and out young woman, in a maledominated small town, realizes life is nothing like she planned. Restless and unfulfilled in an oppressive (under-paying) job, no prospective suitors to help her get out of the stifling town of Benkelman, Nebraska. She finds her only joy with a race-car driver, Donald, to whom she pins her freedom. But when reality sets in and she finds freedom and her dreams elude her, she goes to the extreme to escape. Benkelman is a riveting look at the danger that can come from a life unlived.   

Cast:
ROBIN-SUE a young woman in her late teens (18), beautiful, improper, and striving for independence. Wears a tight red sweater, and black Capri pants 60’s style. DONALD a man in his mid-twenties (23-24), well-built, attractive, and a little rough like Elvis or James Dean. There is always a little grease on his hands or face. DELLA-MAE a middle-aged woman with a bee-hive bouffant hairdo, skirt and a low cut top. Her make-up is over-done. KAY a young woman, a few years ahead of Robin-Sue in age and school (20-21). Wealthy for this town, she dresses like Elizabeth Taylor on a JC Penny budget.
Junction Creek
by Kirt Shineman

Before the passage of anti-stalking laws in 1990, women were hamstrung in their efforts to stop stalkers or sexual harassment. In 1983, when Julie-Ann is the first of her family to head off to college, she doesn't know who to ask for help when her swim coach begins stalking and sexually harassing her. She finds help in her "room-mate's" boyfriend, Don. The mistakes she makes in her transition compound until there is no way to rectify her choices. Or is there?  

Cast:
JULIE-ANN a masculine young woman college freshman (18 years-old). She idolizes Adam Ant and Billy Idol (minus the make-up). PETER ABELARD a handsome 45-ish college swim-coach and theology professor. ROBIN-SUE Julie-Ann’s Mother, a middle-aged woman (40’s), beautiful, improper, and striving for independence. DELLA-MAE Julie-Ann’s grandmother, an older-aged woman (57-58 years-old). Her make-up is overdone and harsh. TALA DECORAH a girly Native-American (Ute) college junior (19-21 years-old). Her name translates to “stalking wolf”. She idolizes Cher. DONALD ABELARD He looks like his father, Peter, but bigger in height and muscles. He’s Tala’s boyfriend, in his 19-20, well-built, attractive, and a protector.
Allie Opps' Last Fantastic Day
by Kirt Shineman

While Sue prepares for her son’s 18th birthday, she awaits important news. Meanwhile she recounts why she became Allie Oop the Clown, and how being a clown helps her battle life’s difficulties.

Cast:
SUE a late 30-somethin’, mother ROGER (unseen) Sue’s husband (A recording of nonsense sounds.) HEE-HOO (unseen) Sue’s clown friend (Her voice is a recorded slid whistle.) DR. CUTTER (unseen) Sue’s doctor (His voice is a recording of a tambourine and a real voice.) The voice should be SUE’s but recorded.
Sea Fairies
by Kirt Shineman

Months after the death of her father Mayre Griffiths, nicknamed Trot, encounters a few mischievous classmates on the coast of southern California.  The mean boys play “keep-away” with her newly crafted pearl necklace, with a medal from her dead father. She freezes, and cannot defend herself.  Her constant companion Cap'n Bill, a retired sailor with a wooden leg, comes to her rescue. After scaring away the boys, Cap’n Bill confronts Trot about a visit he and Trot’s mother received; Trot’s teacher and principle came to the house looking for Trot, who had not been to school in weeks. Why? Trot explains she’s spent most of her days roaming the beach, avoiding the bullies, and swimming in the ocean, diving for pearls, and she even found a large pink pearl. Concerned, Cap'n Bill rows the two of them to where Trot found the infamous pink pearl. Trot and Cap’n Bill are attacked by SeaDevils. Thus begins their adventure with the Sea Fairies as Trot learns about the ocean animals, the beauty of the deep, surmounts her grief over the death of her father, and through it all she finds the strength to take on the local bullies. 

Cast:
TROT 11-year old, her real name is Mayre Griffiths, daughter of Charlie. When she grew big enough to walk, she took so many busy little steps every day that both her mother and Cap'n Bill nicknamed her Trot, and so she was thereafter mostly called. CAP’N BILL A sailor man who had a meat leg and one hickory leg, a prosthetic wooden leg, and he often said the wooden one was the better of the two. Once Cap'n Bill had commanded and owned the Anemone, a trading schooner that plied along the coast; and in those days Charlie Griffiths, who was Trot's father, had been the Captain's mate. CAP’N BILL wears a blue sailor shirt with white anchors worked on the corners of the collar, and blue trousers with wide bell-bottoms. ZAIN a 12 year old red haired boy in Trot’s class, Red Devil soccer player ORVILLE an 11 year old blonde haired boy in Trot’s class, Red Devil soccer player GREG a 12 year old black haired boy in Trot’s class, Red Devil soccer player MERMAIDS: The mermaids are clothed in exquisite gowns like sheeny silk, cut low in the neck and with wide, flowing sleeves. The gowns have trains that float far behind the mermaids as they swim. The sea fairies wear strings of splendid pearls twined around their throats, while more pearls are sewn upon their gowns for trimmings. PRINCESS CLIA A brunette mermaid MERLA A blonde mermaid QUEEN AQUAREINE A white-haired mermaid ZOG THE TERRIBLE (Made up of the three boys: Z. [Zain] O. [Orville] G. [Greg]) PUPPETS or other theatrical tricks
The Mysterious Disappearance
by Kirt Shineman

December 1975, after Christmas, and Agatha Christie must finish her autobiography and the final novel before the new year. Yet, Agatha is fixated on an event in her past when Nancy Neele stole her husband. With Mary Westmacott’s help they contemplate what it would be like to kill Nancy. When Nancy turns up dead, Agatha and Mary investigate. Even though Agatha considered murdering Nancy, did she really do it, or is her reality disappearing?

Cast:
CAST: 4 actors— 1 male, 3 females (the man plays all the male characters) AGATHA CHRISTIE 85 years-old, she walks with a limp, and wears dentures. She enjoys wearing late 40's style suits and skirts with pintucks instead figure seams. MARY WESTMACOTT a nom de plume between 80 and 115 years-old— a spinster in a 1940’s all grey vintage dress with words sewn into the print. Her severe eyes give away her curiosity. {Only Agatha can see her.} ROSALIND HICKS 56 years-old, tall, white-haired, enjoys wearing late 60’s bell-bottom pants and a blouse. ANTHONY “TONY” HICKS 59 years-old in 1970’s work clothes. HARRY MAYNARD old, gray beard, balding, and hefty. (Played by the same actor who portrays TONY.) ARCHIE CHRISTIE an elegant man dressed in a 1920’s tuxedo, with tails, and he is well groomed. (Played by the same actor who portrays TONY.) WILLIAM “BILLY” COLLINS friend, publisher and editor for HarperCollins, in a business suit. (Played by the same actor who portrays TONY.)
Pluck the Day (a raucous comedy)
by Kirt Shineman

Welcome to the prestigious world of Master Sommeliers. An impressive group of wine experts, who passed an exam with one of the lowest success rates in the world. Claire wants to be part of the group. But when the Court of Master Sommeliers revokes their licenses because of a cheating scandal, Claire’s dream is corked. She and her husband, Parker, lose their new apartment; Ke loses his visa, and Cy is demoted to waiter. Claire’s mother-in-law, Sandrine, jumps to the rescue and readies them for the re-exam. All the while Claire searches for the cheater. A truly drunk on life comedy about lies, loves, and sour grapes. 

Cast:
CAST: 5 actors— 2 males, 3 females CLAIRE late 30’s, of African descent. Works at Pearl and Ash with her friend, CY. Enjoys a 2006 Dirty and Rowdy from Napa. She and Parker are married. PARKER late 30’s, early 40’s, Caucasian male, married to Claire. As a som at Le Bernardin. His favorite wine is a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) because it is the most expensive. SANDRINE late 50’s, elegant, and she wears her wealth. She is synonymous with a nice chilled sauvignon blanc, or four. Parker’s mother. KE a late 20’s Asian man who works as a sommelier at Charlie Bird. His favorite is from the Piedmont or a 2002 Bourgogne Roughe from Domaine Lafarge. Previously, Ke made a fortune in nano-technology, but spent it all on travel, clothes, and a trainer. CY a young 30’s, female Hispanic (light brown). She works as a som at Pearl and Ash. Enjoys old Napa cab, Spotts Woode, 1987.

Successes

My play, Moments Before, was recorded for EARPLAYS. with Technical Director / Recording Engineer - Donald T. Woodard; Production / Stage Manager - Julie Lee. Posted in April at: EARPLAYS Originals | thestudio (thestudiophx.org)

My play, A Life Assembled, is a 2019 Finalist in the annual City Theatre National Award for Short Playwriting contest. With more than 700 submissions this year, it is one of only 20 Contest Finalists, and it’s a play they truly enjoyed. Thursday, May 30 - Sunday, June 23, Miami, Fl. 

Athena Theatre is producing a workshop of my play, Good Grief in NYC this fall. Tickets went on sale. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/good-grief-workshop-production-tickets-5894....

The Mid-American Theater Conference did a workshop of Tainted Love, my 10-min. play about the reunion of two brothers in a hospice. As one brother, Cameron, dies from AIDS, the other brother, Allen, attempts to connect, to forgive, and discover the brother he never understood.

Sea Fairies, a play for families, opened to strong reviews at Brelby Theater in Glendale, AZ. Dixie University's Second Acts New Works Festival presents Sea Fairies in a concert reading, April 2016.