James D. Waedekin
James D. Waedekin is an award-winning playwright whose scripts and productions have been honored by Dramalogue, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs, Colorado Theatreworks’ 14th Annual Playwrights Forum, American College Theatre Festival and Writers’ Digest Magazine. One of his plays was one of five finalists for the National Repertory Theatre Foundation’s National Play Award for 1999-2000. His work has appeared at UCLA, West Coast Theatre Ensemble, Theatre of Note and the Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, the Chicago Playwrights Center, The Prince Music Theatre in Phildadelphia, and the Writers’ Theatre, Miranda Theatre Company, The Berkshire Theatre Festival, Manhattan Theatre Club, and York Theatre in New York City, and the Edinburgh Theatre Festival in Scotland. Waedekin earned a BFA in Journalism (Public Relations)/Theatre from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his MFA in Playwrighting from UCLA. He earned his secondary teaching Clear CLAD Credential in English/Drama Instruction from Loyola Marymount University. He is a member of The Dramatists Guild.
The Invisible J. Michael Hess
Drama by James D. Waedekin
35 pages
3 m, 4 w
Here's a poignant but necessary look at the problems of teenage bullying and suicide. J. Michael is a high school student and aspiring writer. Already dead, he narrates the events that lead up to his suicide. Along the way, we meet Melissa, his unrequited love, and Ms. Dodge, the hopeful English teacher. There's also Artie, a tough, rival student, and Mr. Butler, the ineffectual high school principal. Two other characters, J. Michael's overwhelmed mother and a tough district attorney, round out the cast. Together these multidimensional characters paint a comp...