DQT Congratulates Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Congratulations to Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Playwright, Classics in Color ’24) for completing the HB Studio Summer Residency. Congratulations, Rajendra!
Here is an update from Rajendra:
I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful residency that I just completed at HB Studio in New York City.
HB Studio, founded in 1945 by Herbert Berghof and Uta Hagen, is an artistic home for actors, playwrights and directors at every level of achievement.
The gift of this residency was time, space, and freedom to explore my craft.
Applications will be open in the Fall for next year’s residency.
Here is the link for more information:
https://www.hbstudio.org/programs/residencies/
This week I had the opportunity to have a closed table reading of my newest play, broken glass. broken glass is loosely inspired by The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. Told through memory, broken glass is set in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York in 1982 at the Basset apartment.
My other play, waiting, had a soul-stirring public reading. waiting is loosely and queerly inspired by Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. In waiting, drag queens, Chi-Chi and Cornbread, are trapped on the rooftop of a small drag club called “Anal” which is partially submerged under water. The club is in St. Bernard Parish in New Orleans, Louisiana during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina late August after the levees break in 2005. Surrounded by a river of dirty water with trash, dead animals, bodies, phone poles, and hungry gators, the two queens wait to be rescued while contemplating their faith, identity, childhood, friendship, and existence.
waiting has been developed in-part through the 2025 HB Studio Residency in New York City, the 2025 New Harmony Project in New Harmony, IN, and the 2024 Classics In Color Program by Dramatic Question Theatre.
waiting was a finalist for the 2025 Blue Ink Playwriting Award presented by American Blues Theatre.
Special thanks to all the artists who participated and supported me during my residency at HB, including:
Brittany Allen
Abigail Onwunali
Rootsgod Fender
Tony Melson
Keenan D. Washington
Korie Lee Blossey
Bryce Payne
Nolan Kennedy
Joanna DeJesus
Adam Mace
Quinn Wilt
I leave you with the words of the prophetic Dr. Maya Angelou who once said, “Our stories come from our lives and from the playwright’s pen, the mind of the actor, the roles we create, the artistry of life itself and the quest for peace.”
DQT Congratulates Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Congratulations to Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Playwright, Classics in Color ’24) whose play was selected as a finalist for the 2025 Blue Ink Playwriting Award presented by American Blues Theatre in Chicago and developed in part with assistance from the 2025 New Harmony Project Writers Residency in New Harmony, Indiana.
Here is an update from Rajendra:
I’m thrilled to announce today that the multi-talented, gifted artists, Keenan D. Washington, Nolan Kennedy, and Tim Daly will be featured in the upcoming staged reading of my play, waiting: a queer black tragicomedy in two acts.
waiting: a queer black tragicomedy in two acts is loosely and queerly inspired by Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. In waiting, drag queens, Chi-Chi and Cornbread, are trapped on the rooftop of a small drag club called “Anal” which is partially submerged under water. The club is in St. Bernard Parish in New Orleans, Louisiana during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina late August after the levees break in 2005. Surrounded by a river of dirty water with trash, dead animals, bodies, phone poles, and hungry gators, the two queens wait to be rescued.
My play was recently selected as a finalist for the 2025 Blue Ink Playwriting Award presented by American Blues Theatre in Chicago and developed in part with assistance from the 2025 New Harmony Project Writers Residency in New Harmony, Indiana and the 2024 Classics in Color Program by Dramatic Question Theatre in New York City.
The staged reading will be held:
Sunday July 13, 2025 3:00pm
HB Studio
120 Bank St.
New York, NY 10014
DQT Congratulates Caridad Svich
Congratulations to Caridad Svich (Playwright, Classics in Color Instructor) on being inducted to College of Fellows of the American Theatre at University of North Carolina Charlotte. Congratulations Caridad!
DQT Congratulates Christin Eve Cato
Congratulations to Christin Eve Cato (Playwright, American Woman ‘21) for being featured in The Leah Ryan Fund’s In The Bronx Brown Girls Can See Stars Too (or The F*ck Is You Lookin' At?) at Powerhouse Theater at Vassar College. Congratulations Christin!
https://playbill.com/article/james-monroe-iglehart-ann-harada-ben-levi-ross-more-join-vassars-powerhouse-theaters-39th-season
DQT Congratulates David Newer
Congratulations to our friend, David Newer, on his direction of the play Strange Snow, by Stephen Metcalfe, at the Chain Theater, June 20-22 & 26-28. All proceeds from this production will be donated to a foundation supporting veterans and first responders. Below is the link for tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strange-snow-a-play-directed-by-david-newer-tickets-1359682168969
DQT Congratulates Gabriel Hernandez
June 16th
Congratulations to Gabriel Hernandez (Playwright, Yerma In Vitro ’25) on the presentation of his play Quarter Rican by The Parsnip Ship premiering at Alliance of Resident Theaters on Monday June 16th. Congratulations Gabriel!
DQT Congratulates Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Congratulations to Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Playwright, Classics in Color ’24) for being selected for The New Harmony Project’s 2025 Annual Writers Residency. Here is an update from Rajendra:
“I wanted to take a moment to share with you that this week I have been in residence at the New Harmony Project in New Harmony, IN.
It’s been an absolute joy and a true artistic oasis for me as a playwright to be able to be part of this group of gifted storytellers and collaborate with this terrific, formidable staff. There are many wonderful lessons I have learned during my time here, but two that I want to share with you that I think we often forget in our daily lives.
First, as human beings we are all connected deeply to nature in every aspect of our humanity.
Second, as an artist it’s important to take time to be with other artists; to have conversations, fellowship, and build community.
Thank you, New Harmony Project, for reminding me of the power of my voice in the American Theatre and that I am part of a rich continuum of BIPOC storytellers who have shaped the character and consciousness of our society for generations.
If you are a playwright, I hope you will consider looking into this magical place to develop your work and voice in the future.
I leave you with the words of the prolific American playwright, August Wilson, who once said, “I’m a black American playwright. I couldn’t be anything else. I make my art out of black American culture; they’re all cut out of the same cloth. That’s who I am; that’s who I write about.”
Christin Eve Cato, pictured fourth from the left.
DQT Congratulates Seshat Yon’shea Walker
Congratulations to Seshat Yon’shea Walker (Playwright, Playtime ’22) whose play Shawty’s Blues was selected for AMT Theater’s New Work Development Program, Neighbourhood Plays.Congratulations Seshat!
Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, Playwright
DQT Congratulates Kyra Davis
June 12 & 14
Kyra Davis (Playwright, DQT Presents… SugarHill ’25) is producing a workshop reading of her new play, Lot #18, that has been a part of a development program with Workshop Theater. She is raising funds to support the actors and design materials for her production.
DQT Congratulates Dacyl Acevedo and Carmen Rivera
May 16th and 17th
Congratulations to Dacyl Acevedo (Playwright, PlayTime '24) on the premiere of her play The Ana Project premiering at the Lenfest Center for the Arts at Columbia University on May 16th and 17th. Carmen Rivera (Playwright, Riding the Bear, PlayTime Instructor) is the dramaturg for Dacyl's play. Congratulations Dacyl and Carmen!
DQT Congratulates Momo Koizumi
Congratulations to Momo Koizumi (Playwright, American Woman ’24) whose play Letter was selected as a finalist for the Downtown Urban Arts Festival and will be premiering in New York on June 25th. Also, Momo’s play "Kotsu-Kotsu" will be included in the Pan Asian Rep’s NuWorks Festival. Congratulations Momo!
DQT Congratulates Desi Moreno-Penson and KM Jones
May 13th-18th
Congratulations to Desi Moreno-Penson (Playwright, DQT Presents… El Bacalao: The Catfish Man ‘23) on the premiere of Genesister at EstreoGenius 2025 Short Play Festival from May 13th-18th. KM Jones (Director, DQT Presents…El Bacalao: The Catfish Man ‘23) will once again direct Desi’s play.
DQT Congratulates Ana Sophia Colón and Cándido Tirado
May 16-18
Congratulations to Ana Sophia Colón (Playwright, American Woman ’23). Tickets are now on sale for Ana’s play Puerto Rico es una Cama Twin, directed by Cándido Tirado (Director, Riding The Bear), premiering at IRT Theater from May 16-18th.
DQT Congratulates Lee Cataluna
June 13th-22nd
Congratulations to Lee Cataluna (Playwright, PlayTime ‘24) for her play Stuck in Honolulu being selected for the SparkFest performing arts festival New Play Development premiering from June 13th-22nd. Congratulations Lee!
https://sparkfestfwtx.com/#services
DQT Congratulates Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
April 24-27
Congratulations to Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Playwright, Classics in Color ’24) for being featured in Livingston County News. Rajendra’s play Little Rock, which he directed and wrote will premiere at Robert E. Sinclair Black Box Theatre at Brodie Hall on the SUNY Geneseo campus from April 24-27. Congratulations Rajendra!
Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Playwright, Classics in Color ’24)
DQT Congratulates Maria Wirries
April 8-June 1st
Congratulations to Maria Wirries (An Evening With Maria Wirries, and The Bridge). Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends is now premiering at Manhattan Theatre Club from April 8th-June 1st, 2025. Maria is starring in this show alongside Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Congratulations, Maria!
Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
DQT Congratulates Seshat Yon'shea Walker
Congratulations to Seshat Yon’shea Walker (Playwright, Playtime ’22) whose play The Manifestation of Sunnyy Black debuts this August in the Meganne George Women's Work Short Play festival produced by New Perspectives Theater in New York, and has been in production with this theater since February. Congratulations Seshat!
Caridad Svich
DQT Congratulates Cris Eli Blak
Congratulations to Cris Eli Blak (Playwright, PlayTime ’22) for being selected to write the “First-Ever Play Commission Surrounding the Life of Bobby Short” at Abingdon Theatre Company. Congratulations Cris!
Cris Eli Blak, pictured left
Maria Wirries (in yellow dress) pictured with cast of Old Friends
DQT Congratulates Seshat Yon’shea Walker
April 25-26
Congratulations to Seshat Yon’shea Walker (Playwright, Playtime ’22) whose play Familial Comforts is featured in Hothouse New Play Block Party at Theater Alliance from April 25-26. Congratulations Seshat!
DQT Congratulates Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Congratulations to Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Playwright, Classics in Color ‘24) whose play sweet lorraine was selected as a semi-finalist for the 2025 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. Congratulations Rajendra!
DQT Congratulates Christin Eve Cato
May 10th-June 8
Congratulations to Christin Eve Cato (Playwright, American Woman ‘21) on the premiere of her play O.K.! at Intar Theater from May 10th-June 8th. Congratulations Christin!
DQT Congratulates Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Congratulations to Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Playwright, Classics in Color ‘24) for being selected for the 2025 HB Studio Residency this July. During this residency, Rajendra will have the opportunity to continue working on waiting, a play developed in DQT’s Classics in Color program. Also, Rajendra was selected as a finalist for the 2025 Blue Ink Playwriting Award. Congratulations, Rajendra!
DQT Congratulates Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
Congratulations to Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj (Playwright, Classics in Color ‘24) for being selected for The New Harmony Project’s 2025 Annual Writers Residency from May 21st-June 1, 2025. Congratulations Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj!
https://www.newharmonyproject.org/2025-residency-announcement
DQT Congratulates Ana Sophia Colón and Cándido Tirado
May 16-18
Congratulations to Ana Sophia Colón (Playwright, American Woman ‘23) on the premiere of her solo show Puerto Rico es Una Cama Twin at IRT Theater from May 16-18th. Cándido Tirado (Director, Riding The Bear) is the director for Ana’s play. Congratulations Ana and Cándido!
DQT Congratulates Caridad Svich
March 19-23, March 25-29
Congratulations to Caridad Svich (Playwright, Classics in Color Instructor) on the premiere of her play Red Bike this March at the Players Theater on California State, Long Beach campus. Congratulations Caridad!
Casting Call For A Play By DQT’s Caridad Svich
March 11th
Auditions for 12 OPHELIAS (A PLAY WITH A BROKEN SONG) by Caridad Svich (Playwright, Classics in Color Instructor) will be held on March 11th from 6:30- 8:50PM at North Central Texas College Denton Campus Black Box Theatre.
DQT Congratulates David Anzuelo
February 25 - April 6
Congratulations David Anzuelo (Playwright, PlayTime ‘24) for being featured in the Curse of the Starving Class play at The Pershing Square Signature Center/Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre. Congratulations David!
https://thenewgroup.org/events/curse-of-the-starving-class-2025-03-02-200-pm
DQT Congratulates Caridad Svich
February 14-16 and 20-22nd.
Congratulations to Caridad Svich (Playwright, Classics in Color Instructor) on the premiere of her play Holler River at NIU School of Theatre and Dance from February 14-16 and 20-22nd. Congratulations Caridad!
https://niuarts.com/2025/02/theatre-and-dance-spring-season-begins-with-caridad-svichs-holler-river/
DQT Congratulates Lee Cataluna
Congratulations to Lee Cataluna (Playwright, PlayTime ‘24) on the premiere of her play Flowers of Hawaii this February and March. Congratulations Lee!
DQT Congratulates Carmen Rivera and Cándido Tirado
April 25 - May 11
Congratulations to Carmen Rivera (Playwright DQT Presents…Riding the Bear, PlayTime Instructor) on the premiere of her play La Caída de Rafael Trujillo (The Downfall of Rafael Trujillo) from April 25 - May 11 at Teatro Círculo. Cándido Tirado (Director, Riding The Bear) is the director for Carmen’s play. Congratulations Carmen and Cándido!
https://teatrocirculo.org/la-caida-de-rafael-trujillo-the-downfall-of-rafael-trujillo-2025/
Congratulations to 2023-24 Playtime Fellow Madeline Barr.
Madeline Barr’s (Playwright, Playtime ‘23) play, Recurring, is part of the Labyrinth Theatre Company’s 2024-25 LAB: STRIPPED series at 59E59. The play was developed by the Dramatic Question Theatre as part of their 2023-24 Playtime program.
DQT Congratulates Maria Wirries
April 8th- June 1st
Congratulations to Maria Wirries (An Evening With Maria Wirries, and The Bridge) for being featured in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at Manhattan Theatre Club from April 8th-June 1st, 2025. Maria will star in this show alongside Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Congratulations, Maria!
Maria Wirries (in yellow dress) pictured with cast of Old Friends
DQT Dine for a Cause
Monday’s in February
Vineapple, a beloved restaurant in Brooklyn Heights, is donating a portion of the proceeds from their Monday dinner service to Dramatic Question Theatre throughout February. Send some love to us (and your tastebuds) by stopping in for a delicious dinner.
DQT Congratulates Founding Member Noemi de la Puente
Congratulations to founding member Noemi de la Puente on the album release concert of her play Manuel Vs the Statue of Liberty on January 19th. Noemi’s play was developed by the Dramatic Question Theatre as part of their 2009-10 Playwright/ Directors Lab. Congratulations Noemi!
DQT Welcomes new Social Media Manager
Vahni Kurra has joined the Dramatic Question Theatre the new Social Media Manager. Welcome to the DQT team, Vahni, we look forward to working with you!
Vahni Kurra (she/hers) is a writer and communications professional based in Brooklyn, NY. She earned a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Kenyon College. Her work appears in Peach Mag, Oyster River Pages, and her Substack, Shloka Slush. When she is not doing social media work, you can find her reviewing plays, birding in Prospect Park, or talking someone's ear off about her latest book or movie obsession.
Vahni Kurra
DQT Congratulates the Curated Classroom Programs
Congratulations to the playwrights and instructors for completing the American Woman, Classics in Color and Playtime curated classroom programs for 2024.
Raquel Almazan, instructor for American Woman
Caridad Svich, instructor for Classics in Color
Carmen Rivera, instructor for Playtime
DQT Congratulates Raquel Almazan
Congratulations to Raquel Almazan (Playwright, American Woman Instructor) on the premiere of her play La Paloma Prisoner at Chelsea Factory from December 10-15th. Congratulations Raquel!
Raquel Almazan
DQT Congratulates Kathleen Capdesuñer and Kyra Davis
Congratulations to DQT Affiliated Artists Kyra Davis (Playwright, SugarHill) and Kathleen Capdesuñer (Director, They Used To Grow Avacadoes Here) who are 2024-2025 fellows for The Tank Producers Cohort. Congratulations Kyra and Kathleen!
Kathleen Capdesuñer
Kyra Davis
DQT Congratulates Caridad Svich
Congratulations to Caridad Svich (Playwright, Classics in Color Instructor) on her play-conversation Town Hall presented at State University of New York New Paltz Department of Theatre Arts from October 31st - November 3rd. Congratulations Caridad!
Caridad Svich
DQT Congratulates Melanie Goodreaux
Congratulations to Melanie Goodreaux (Playwright, American Woman ‘19) on the premiere of her show Rita is the Goat at Theater for the New City this November. Congratulations Melanie!
Melanie Goodreaux
DQT Congratulates Kathleen Capdesuñer and Christin Eve Cato
Congratulations to Kathleen Capdesuñer (Director, They Used To Grow Avocados Here) director of The Irrepressible Magic of the Tropics, and Christin Eve Cato (Playwright, American Woman ‘21) playwright of her play OK!. Both plays will be featured in the 2024-2025 season for the International Arts Relations (INTAR Theatre). Congratulations Kathleen and Christin!
https://www.theatermania.com/news/intar-theatres-2024-25-season-includes-two-world-premieres_1751976/
Kathleen Capdesuñer
Christin Eve Cato
DQT Congratulates Ana Luz Zambrana
Congratulations to Ana Luz Zambrana (Playwright, Playtime ‘23) for being featured in SolFest 2024. The SolFest festival highlights work by Latine artists including: “works in progress, short pieces, solo and enable work, panels, and screenings.” Congratulations Ana!
https://playbill.com/article/solfest-2024-will-feature-works-from-anne-garcia-romero-edwin-sanchez-ana-luz-zambrana-more
Ana Luz Zambrana
DQT Congratulates Gursimrat Kaur
Congratulations to Gursimrat Kaur (Playwright, American Woman ‘21), who is an Artistic Producing Fellow for Studio Theatre’s debut Fellows-in-Residence class. Congratulations, Gursimrat!
https://dctheaterarts.org/2024/08/23/studio-theatre-introduces-debut-fellows-in-residence-class/
Gursimrat Kaur
DQT Congratulates Anatar Marmol-Gagné
Congratulations to Anatar Marmol-Gagné (Playwright, American Woman ‘18) for organizing the Pinned & Sewtured Puppet Cabaret for its tenth year hosted at Witch Bitch Thrift. “The Cabaret featured nine acts, and nine different puppeteers.”
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/everybody_loves_the_pinned_sewtured_puppet_cabaret
Anatar Marmol-Gagné