lojo simon

LOJO SIMON is a polycreative writer, feminist and flamekeeper who works to foster radical empathy through writing, teaching, performing arts and service. Her professional roles include playwright, poet, dramaturg, teaching artist and Literary Laureate Emerita of Laguna Beach, California. She wrote the book and lyrics for Creede Repertory Theatre’s Young Audience Outreach Tours BEST FOOT FORWARD (2019), SEEDS OF CHANGE (2018), and ALBERT PORTER, BOY EXPLORER (2017). Her family-friendly works NICE & SLOW (Old Miner Playwriting Award), HERO ZERO, PLUM LUCK, GORILLA BALLERINA and HEARTLAND (w/Anita Simons, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest winner) all are published by YouthPLAYS. Other plays include RELIC, OR I WAS BUBBIE’S FAVORITE BY JOEL FEINMAN (Queens Theatre), ADORATION OF DORA (Idiom Theatre, KOLT Run, David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award), ONE FOOT (Idiom Theatre, Minneapolis Fringe, Salt Lake Fringe), MI CORAZON (Anna Zornio Award finalist, anthologized in Palabras del Cielo, Vol. II, forthcoming), J’OY VEY (w/Anita Simons, Queens Theatre, Trinity Street Players), and MOSCOW (Sam French OOB Festival, City Theatre National New Play Award, KCACTF Ten Minute Play Award, Best of Tribal Humor Festival, Heideman Award finalist). Lojo is a member of the Dramatists Guild, Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, and the New Play Exchange. 

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Website: http://lojosimon.com
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @lojosimon

MORE ABOUT ME
I want artistic directors to know that familiar, lite, commonplace writing is not the only theatre that white people appreciate. Neither are BIPOC stories the only ones that people of color want to hear. Trust your audiences with innovative, challenging material from a variety of perspectives. Give many voices a chance to be heard. You have a powerful opportunity -- dare I say obligation -- to make positive change and encourage radical empathy in your audiences if you will be brave in your artistic programming. There are many mature female-identifying Honor Roll writers ready and willing to share our stories and insights if simply given the chance. Open your minds and hearts to us. We will not disappoint.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON
I am always working to be more authentic in my writing. At my age, I want to have the courage to tell my deepest truths, the hardest stories. 

KEYWORDS
Drama, comedy, solo, small cast, historical, political, biographical, art, social justice, TYA, Young Audiences, holiday, multicultural, Jewish, dramaturg, journalist


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