Testimonials

This retreat is so important. Queer spaces are so important, especially for Queer artists. It’s such a privilege to be able to talk about your work in a room with people who understand your point of view. You can get straight to craft without having to explain content. The Desert Playwrights Retreat was invaluable to me as an artist. Community, Comradeship, and creativity does a queer playwright good.

— C. JULIAN JIMÉNEZ (October 2021)
(formerly known as J. Julian Christopher)
Playwright / Director / Actor (he/him/his)

Thank you for giving me space to reconnect to my writing. It’s exactly what I needed and I wouldn’t have done it without the Desert Playwrights’ Retreat.

— GARY GARRISION (October 2022)
Executive Director, Dramatist Guild (2007-2016)
Program Director, Summer Playwriting Intensive, Kennedy Center

As a very early career writer, I had ideas, but I was having trouble figuring out the discipline part of the art. I can’t tell you how helpful it was to have a full week to figure out my daily flow and to get encouraging feedback– as well as a chance to share my work with some heavy hitters, and get over some of my “stagefright.”

I’m grateful and inspired, and I feel my ideas flowing easier already. Thank you so much.

— DEAN GROSBARD (October 2022)
Playwright / Director / Actor (he/him/his)

It felt like we really cultivated a creative family. Meeting up with the other cohort was so fun too… The notes I got were SO HELPFUL and I can’t wait to incorporate them fully into my piece. The whole week was magical and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

— NATALIE NICOLE DRESSEL (October 2022)
Playwright / Actor (she/her)

Thank you for your dedication to queer spaces and for creating and inviting me to Desert Playwrights’ Retreat. This is the first time in my career I have been in a singularly queer space and it was so healing, encouraging, and inspirational. I truly appreciate you arranging the theatre introductions. I have so much to process from the week and look forward to finishing my play later in the week.

— LAURA THOMA (April 2023)
Playwright

Having four days of uninterrupted time to write is the ultimate writer’s luxury for someone like me whose main occupation is not theater related. Spending that time with a group of such talented writers, sharing stories and storylines, is icing on an already perfect cake. I arrived at the retreat with no specific goal but three projects I wanted to touch. Progress on one eluded me. Although I didn’t write script on the second, I made some important decisions and notes about it. On the third, an idea that has been floating around my head and my iPad for a few years, I was able to complete a first draft for our reading on Saturday night.

— STEVE HEYL (October 2021)
Playwright/Performer

To be able to connect with other queer artists, to have us each share our work and bond in a safe space. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me in terms of giving me confidence in my own path…knowing that there are brothers like me and that I am less alone in the world and have other comrades doing the same as me. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have 6 gay brothers and artistic comrades.

— HOWARD SKORA (October 2021)
Playwright/Director

The perfect creative reset in a spectacular desert oasis. I left rejuvenated (and with a brand new one act and the beginnings of a full length that could only have been born out of the Desert Playwrights Retreat.

— JOHN CASSEL (October 2022)
Playwright

It’s rare for writers to be given the gift of time and space–and that’s exactly what you gave us! We used both wisely and constructively. Our camaraderie allowed us to take inspiration from each other, and our new friendships bring us closer as fellow artists so we can continue to do so. Thank you for your generosity and support!

— DANIEL WILL-HARRIS (October 2021)
Playwright

I have never written so much in such a short amount of time! It was truly a transformative experience for a beginner like myself to be able to exchange with more experienced playwrights, as well as workshop our writings on the last day of the retreat. If you’re gay with a play in your head that needs to be put on paper, look no more! You have found the retreat for you!

— RAPHAËL DIRANI (April 2021)
Playwright

Sending my sincerest thanks to you and your generous donors. I was beyond thrilled to receive the news of my selection as the inaugural recipient of the $500 Desert Playwrights’ Retreat Playwriting Grant. Life as a playwright can be a season of feast or famine so please know your donors’ generosity is not taken for granted. Thank you for creating a space for gay male playwrights to fellowship and support one another in our quest to add our voices to the theatre world. Looking forward to participating in a future Desert Playwrights’ Retreat in person. 

— VINCENT TERRELL DURHAM
Desert Playwrights’ Retreat Playwriting Grant 2021 recipient