QUEENS THEATRE

Artists Respond to Queens Theatre in the Park’s Immigrant Voices Project

“I loved the talk back.  The audience is unconstrained, which feels refreshing.  They lack of pretense of insiders to knowing how it all works and just respond with their impressions.  The honesty is disarming and thrilling.”  – John Gould Rubin, Director, Trial by Water and Blood in America
 
“Thank you for allowing the play to grow as it did…I am so glad to hear that your audiences were responsive, this is very, very touching…Thank you for the time, space, money, support it took to explore this.” – Heather Raffo, Playwright and actress, Nine Parts of Desire

“Everyone told me they loved the play, were moved, many to tears which could not have happened without your help, your talents.” – Lucy Wang, Playwright, Melting and Good Mourning, America

“I have been involved in a number of play development programs.  Overall, I would say that QTP’s is the best organized and most professional.” – Mark Sickman, Playwright, Taxi to Jannah

“New play development is…so necessary for our dramatic future.  This is especially true for authors of ethnic work – the new America – who need to have their stories told and heard and seen.” – Arthur Giron, Playwright, The Coffee Trees

"I hope that "Trial by Water" will be something that will make the QTP crowd very proud. This is their show as much as it is mine." – Qui Nguyen, Playwright, Trial by Water, Blood in America, Lost Accents

“The IVP reading of New World Rhapsody was a wonderful opportunity to hear a play in front of a completely different audience than the play had ever had before…The talkback was useful for gauging reactions to the play from a mostly Queens-based audience.” – Adam Kraar, Playwright

“Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of the reading series. Queens Theatre in the Park is where I had my very first public reading of my work—three years ago—which was also directed by Vijay, and so it was kind of amazing to come back to where it all began. I learned a lot about the play yesterday—the discussion between Vijay, myself and the actors really helped shape my understanding of the play. In fact, thanks also for offering me this reading sight unseen—for trusting me to bring something good enough, and entertaining enough for your ‘regulars’. And then, as usual, the whole staff at QTP was so amazing and generous and helpful. I had a great day.” – Rajiv Joseph, Playwright, Huck and Holden, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The North Pool

“I wanted to thank you for the lovely evening, the great audience, the good care and setting you provided for what turned out to be a most enjoyable and successful reading.” – Kitty Chen, Playwright, Rosa Loses Her Face

“Jeff and Rob, just a quick note to thank you and QTP for hosting a reading of JP Chan’s No Time for Champions. Everyone at QTP was so helpful. Again, I was struck by how engaged the audience was in the process. And – we had a full house. I would really like to do this more often. We have a big writers lab, and they would be greatly helped by bringing their works to QTP. Thanks, and more power to you both.”  – Ralph B. Peña, Artistic Director, Ma-Yi Theatre Company

“Thanks again for Rajiv’s reading. I love that play and think Rajiv is going to be able to flesh it out in an exciting way with good re-writes. And I love that treasure of an audience! Keep them happy. I rave about Queens to everyone. Thank you.” – Vijay Mathew, Director, The North Pool

“Rob and Jeff. Thank you for being such wonderful hosts for COVER GIRL last night.  It is such a pleasure being in your wonderful (and ever-expanding!) home – you both make artists feel so welcome and supported.  And it was a pleasure to be paired up with Safa.  She is a talented and courageous young woman and it is great that you gave her the opportunity to have her voice heard.  I was also so impressed by your audience too – how engaged they are in new work and in the discussion that followed. 
It really is quite an amazing enterprise you have going – and I am thrilled to continue my relationship with both of you and the theater in my freelance life.” - Daniella Topol, Director, Cover Girl

“Once again thank you soo much for the opportunity to read "Cover Girl" tonight and for all the help you gave me.  It meant so, so much.” -  Safa Samiezade-yazd, Playwright, Cover Girl

“All the audiences we've had so far have been great but last night's was my favorite and meant so much to me. There were a number of African American families in the room with kids too. And (the adults!) seemed to so relate to it and were also sooo vocal about it. It was wonderful for me to watch. There were also several groups of Romanians. I asked them how they found out about it -- through the Cultural Insitute or the Consul... No, they said, from the QTP brochure and ads! They said they would let their friends know! I love your audience at Queens -- there is  diversity, and families, and I bet that will be growing -- and they are the people who are supporting theater all over the country -- and they do deserve to have plays written about issues that matter to them! Anyway, although I very much hope that the play won't die after this -- I feel very, very blessed and very, very grateful! Thanks you for everything!” - Irina Bragin, Playwright, Vine Tata (Daddy’s Coming)

“Thank you. Before the readings began, Ian and Ron and I were already struck by the support, enthusiasm, and commitment to this project from the two of you and everyone at Queens Theatre in the Park. During the readings, as we saw all the prep work pay off, and the interested, invested, and diverse audiences, and the last-minute problem-solving, and all the little things that made our time at Queens (and even our time at the Public) so great, productive, and (relatively!) worry-free, we realized what a great theatre and great group of people you have. Thanks for sharing that with us! We're very lucky.
Finally, I really, really hope we get to work together more. Soon. Whether it be on Kingdom or some other show. Gracias!”  - Aaron Jafferis, Book and Lyrics, and Ian Williams, Composer, Kingdom

“Thank you so much!  Your enthusiasm for the show has made Aaron and I (and the cast and crew!) so happy, and working at your theatre was an amazing experience for all of us.  We are so thankful that you have been willing to back us, and that you have shared your enthusiasm with so many people in the theatre (and local) community. 
Being at your theater was wonderful, it made the trip out to Flushing seem less lengthy knowing that there was you and your crew at the end to take care of all of us.  I know I speak for our cast and band as well when I say that it is one of the friendliest and least pretentious places that we have have ever worked.
We hope that you will get a chance to come out to San Diego and see the show staged, and know that your help was paramount to getting the show on its feet.
Thank you again, please give our regards to your entire staff and crew for their help.
Ian and Aaron

“The reading was an amazing experience for me and I can't thank you enough for making it all happen and for your continued support throughout the whole process. Our cast and director were all saying what a wonderful experience they had at your theatre. As did I!
Many, many thanks, ” Karina Arroyave, Playwright and Actress, Wonder Woman Wears Raggedy Ann Pajamas