Chicago Playwrights Guest Write BOYSTOWN

My fictional serial about the lives and loves of a diverse group of gay men Boystown has been an awesome creative outlet for me. Having spent most of my life working in scripted material, the opportunity to branch out and learn so much in writing in a different form. Most importantly, the experience so far as been very fun and rewarding. In an effort to keep things exciting, I had the idea a couple of months ago to begin the first week of a volume completely written by guest writers, giving them free reign to write about the characters I've established, then coming in for the remaining weeks of the volume to tie it all together. I'm very fortunate to have two of my amazingly talented playwright friends and one hilarious blogger guest write the first week of Boystown volume 8, which will launch on GoPride on Monday, May 6, 2013:

Jon Steinhagen is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists, company member of Signal Ensemble Theatre, and winner of the 2009 Julie Harris Playwriting Award. A Chicago-based author, actor, and songwriter, his plays include BLIZZARD '67 (Chicago Dramatists), DATING WALTER DANTE (Raven Theatre), ACES (Signal Ensemble Theatre), THE ANALYTICAL ENGINE (Circle Theatre), SOMETHING MORE COMFORTABLE (Syracuse University), and VEXATIONS (NY Fringe). He wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the Jeff-nominated musical THE TEAPOT SCANDALS, and the music and lyrics for EMMA & COMPANY (Wings Theatre), INFERNO BEACH (Bailiwick), and PEOPLE LIKE US (Circle Theatre). His short fiction appears in literary journals (recently, kill author, Monkeybicycle, and matchbook). He has received four Joseph Jefferson Awards and five nominations for his work in Chicago theater as either author, actor, or musical director.

Aaron Holland is an Actor/Singer/Dancer from Richmond, Va. He received his B.F.A in Theatre Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003. That same year, Aaron won the Kingsley Colton award at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Though Aaron has been acting across Chicagoland for the past several years, he fancies himself to be a bit of a renaissance man; writing, composing, and producing his own shows as well. Plays he currently has in development include BLACKTACKULAR! and PRINCESS MARY DEMANDS YOUR ATTENTION.

"I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the Boystown series because, first of all, I am addicted to it!" said Holland. "I love the way the series can switch from everything to very soapy to political to erotica to farce in one volume and still be enjoyable. So many different types of LGBTQA people are represented in the work and given a big, loud, beautiful voice. Danny has started a great thing with the Boystown series and I believe wholeheartedly in it and Danny's future. I'm excited to be able to get in on the action!"

Joining Holland and Steinhagen as guest writers will be NYC-based blogger and photographer, Mike Cho

Don't miss this exciting collaboration which launches May 6 on GoPride. You can catch up on the first seven volumes of the series starting here. To keep updated, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.