CONTACT INFORMATION

Sandra Fenichel Asher
E-Mail: sasher@drury.edu

PROFILE

I can remember writing plays as far back as 2nd grade and persuading my friends perform them with me. Our teacher sent us on tour around the entire school. James G. Blaine, in Philadelphia, where I grew up, was a three-story brick building that housed kindergarten through 8th grade classes. We did fine on the two elementary floors. But when we reached the top floor, where the big kids lurked, we got nervous. We lined up in front of our first 8th grade audience -- and promptly collapsed into giggles. The teacher eventually asked us to leave the room. That was the end of our touring company. But it was the beginning of my playwriting career.

Eighth graders -- and others! -- have since enjoyed my plays in productions across the US and in Canada, the Czech Republic, and Australia. Some have been translated into Dutch and Chinese. I've written more than three dozen, including THE WOLF AND ITS SHADOWS, A WOMAN CALLED TRUTH, IN THE GARDEN OF THE SELFISH GIANT, SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK (inspired by the poems of David L. Harrison), and FREDDY, THE KING OF DETECTIVES, based on the classic "Freddy the Pig" books. I've even written a play all about 8th graders, ROMEO AND JULIET -- TOGETHER (AND ALIVE!) AT LAST, adapted from the book by Avi.

My plays have received the IRT/Bonderman Award, the AATE Distinguished Play Award, an "Outstanding Play" citation from ASSITEJ/USA, NETC's Aurand Harris Award, and the Joseph Campbell Memorial Award, presented by The Open Eye Theater. Most recently, I've been honored with the Charlotte Chorpenning Playwriting Award from AATE and an Aurand Harris Playwriting Fellowship from the Children's Theatre Foundation of America.

As Sandy Asher, I also write books for young readers. More about that at my other Web page, http://usawrites4kids.drury.edu/authors/asher.

PLAYS AVAILABLE

WE WILL REMEMBER: A TRIBUTE TO VETERANS Dramatic Publishing, grades 4 to adult Veterans of the Civil War, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and others come alive and share their stories and insights with young people curious about their war experiences. Based on actual interviews, family letters, and journals gathered by students at Pine-Richland Middle School, Gibsonia, PA, co-commissioners with Prime Stage, Pittsburgh. One act, 6m, 2w, plus 8 either gender; double-casting possible. Simple area staging.

TODAY I AM! FIVE SHORT PLAYS ABOUT GROWING UP JEWISH Dramatic Publishing, grades 3 to adult Based on stories in WITH ALL MY HEART, WITH ALL MY MIND, an anthology edited by the playwright, winner of the National Jewish Book Award in children's literature. Contains bar mitzvah tales, stories of prejudice and misunderstanding, and stories of making difficult choices. Flexible cast of 2-5 in each play. Maybe be produced singly, in ay combination, or together as a full evening. Simple area staging.

EVERYTHING IS NOT ENOUGH Dramatic Publishing, secondary school to adult  Adapted from playwright's novel. Two acts or full-evening one-act. 5m, 2w, 6m or w, doublecasting possible. Simple area staging. The summer before Michael's senior year, his father has life all mapped out for him: winters in the suburbs, summers at the beach, the "right" major in college, and a career in the family business. But Michael has other dreams. Looking for his own life, he comes upon the very violence his dad is trying to spare him.

ROMEO AND JULIET -- TOGETHER (AND ALIVE!) AT LAST based on the novel by Avi Dramatic Publishing, ages 8 to adult. Two acts, area staging, 14m, 12w, 9m or w, extras, if desired; doublecasting possible for 9m, 9w, 6m or w. A middle-school romantic farce! Eighth-graders Pete and Annabell are in love, but too shy to talk. To bring the two together, plan a performance of ROMEO AND JULIET and vote them into the title roles. They dream of the perfect production, until everything that can go wrong does – but true love still triumphs in the end.

FREDDY, THE KING OF DETECTIVES based on Freddy the Detective by Walter R. Brooks Music by Robert Cucinotta Available from the playwright Ages 8 to adult (photo credit: The Open Eye Theater) Long one-act, 8m, 4f, 4m or f, extras as desired. Doublecasting possible, for as few as 3 actors and 2 or more puppeteers. Freddy the Pig has read “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”, so when Everett Bean’s toy train is stolen, Freddy is on the case. Then Prinny the Dog’s food disappears, and the Rats bring Jinx, the cat, to court on a murder charge! A hilarious trial scene finally brings justice to the barnyard.

Contact: Jerri Stanley at jstanley@pcis.net

Held Annually in March
Warrensburg, MO
I'll be one of 40 authors and illustrators from around the country visiting with school children, teachers, and librarians, including a huge autographing party on Sunday, March 14.
Contact: Naomi Williamson at Williamson@Libserv.cmsu.edu

• AMERICA WRITES FOR KIDS!
• American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE)
• Anchorage Press Plays
• Dramatic Publishing
• The Association for Jewish Theatre's Directory of Plays of Jewish Interest for Young Audiences
• Sandy Asher's Author Page