PANDORA SCOOTER is an award winning playwright and national touring artist. Currently writing a feminist stand up show (NOT an oxymoron) and a new one-woman show inspired by Ayn Rand, for which she will be artist in residence at the Hypatia-in-the-Woods writing residency in July, 2018. In May 2018 she will be honored with the Best Musical Award (wRETCH) for the book and lyrics by the Fresh Fruit Festival.
An outspoken advocate for Misfits and Fits of all shapes, colors and sizes, Pandora strives to relay her message of inclusivity and compassion everywhere she performs.
Winner of the SpokenKnowledge DNC Contest for her anti-prejudice poem "Other." Cast in reality spoken word television show, RELE. In rotation on Women Of Substance radio. Endorsed by International Folk Poet Alix Olson and hailed as a Spoken Word Rock Star. Pandora Scooter has performed in NYC, Washington DC, Jackson, MS; Richmond, VA; Boston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Knoxville, Austin, TX; Houston, TX; San Bernadino, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, San Luis Obispo, Torrence, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, CA; Springfield, MO; New Orleans, LA; Birmingham, AL; Nashville, TN; Pittsburgh, PA; Salt Lake City, UT; as well as other cities and throughout the state of New Jersey. For five years, she hosted and curated an edgy, new wave show called HIP HOP: OUT, LOUD & PROUD, which brought together gay and lesbian hip hop artists to perform at New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Writer of twelve one-woman shows, hailed by nytheatre.com as a "masterful entertainer" and by Out in Jersey as "a Force of Nature." Pandora Scooter entertains, inspires and makes people laugh 'til it hurts. Pandora is pro-people, in all their glorious individualizations. Her hilarious spoken-word rhymes and rants thrill and inspire audiences.
She's been compared to Dr. Seuss, Margaret Cho and Ani DiFranco.
Awards. Best Musical (Fresh Fruit Festival). Levin Scholar. John I Bettenbeder Outstanding Performance Award. Tongues of Fire, 1st Place. Commendation from Newark City Assembly. Outstanding Volunteer, Pride Center of New Jersey. First place, Spokenknowledge DNC Contest.
Influences include Carol Burnett, Eddie Izzard, Margaret Cho, Dr. Seuss, Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner, Ellen Degeneres, Laurie Anderson, Arrested Development, Bertolt Brecht, Tracy Chapman, Caryl Churchill, Ani DiFranco, Maggie Estep!, ICE-T, Quincy Jones, Charlie Mingus, Alanis Morrissette, N.W.A., Suzan Lori Parks, Prince, Reno, and Tennessee Williams.
In her own words:
I believe the world needs as much connection between people as possible. I'm out here to connect with as many outsiders and misfits as I can - and to let them know it's ok to connect with each other. To let them know that it's ok to be everything they are and want to be - in all the complexities and confusions that make life what it is: one big, crazy, beautiful messy love storm. You are Enough. Power to the Peaceful and Love to All...
Plays
A writer struggles with her internal editor to write a first draft of her autobiographical play which centers on hysterical and heartbreaking moments in her life. Inspired by Pirandello and Durang.
A successful lyricist struggles to collaboratively write THE gay anthem for a competition for Stonewall's 50th Anniversary. Through the challenging and sometimes comedic process, she learns what community really means to her.