ANDREW BISS

I'm very pleased to report that my short play "Filler" will be published by theatrical trade publisher Smith & Kraus, Inc. , the largest publisher of trade theater books in the United States. The play will be included in the upcoming anthology The Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2014, edited by Lawrence Harbison. Photo courtesy of Olybrius "Filler" begins as a fairly standard mystery thriller, then soon meta-morphs into an exposé of both the play and the playwright, before finally turning into a rumination on the meaning and fleeting nature of life itself. All that in around 10-minutes! "Filler" is, of course, taken from "The Meta Plays," my short play collection that takes theatrical conventions on a metaphysical joyride. The compilation can be performed by as few as 4 actors or as many as 18, all with minimal set and prop requirements.

"The Craft" hit the boards once again this past weekend at the Central Coast TheatreFest in NSW, Australia and was awarded best actress and best director honors in the process. My hat is off the incredibly talented team of Gerard Dunning, Helen Herridge and Gavin Crichley. The three of them once again brought my little play to life and were rewarded with another tremendous audience response to their hard work, talent and dedication. You did my play proud, guys, and I send you all my heartfelt thanks. I hope we get to repeat the pleasure at some future juncture. Hooroo for now!

Yes, "The Craft" continues its extraordinary Australian odyssey this weekend where it will be performed as a part of the 10th annual  Central Coast TheatreFest in Toukley, NSW. The play will be performed by the same team (actors Helen Herridge and Gerard Dunning, and director Gavin Crichley) that did such a terrific job with it at the Woy Woy Little Theatre earlier this year. Getting "The Craft" into TheatreFest proved to be not without its challenges, but the persistence, dedication and inventiveness shown by Gavin, Helen and Gerard in getting it on the bill without sacrificing the integrity of the play speaks volumes. Their determination to perform the play once more, despite some hurdles, shows me just how much they enjoyed working on the play, and which I must say I find quite humbling. Anyway, I hope they all break a leg this weekend, and more than anything I hope they have a rollicking good time. Also, I have to say I love the terrific graphic they...