USA Projects

I am seeking funds for the World Premiere production of my play blu. An epic poem for the stage, blu traces the explosive after-effects of prison and hunger, desire and war. Told in a heightened poetic language of street talk, the play follows a queer Chicana/o family as they try to envision an earth and sky without police and their helicopters.

On October 14th, 2011 blu will premiere at Company of Angels in downtown Los Angeles. The oldest non-profit professional theater in Los Angeles, Company of Angels produces theater that reflects and responds to the richness, diversity, and complexity that is LA. blu will be directed by theatre legend Laurie Carlos and will have a five week run. An OBIE Award-winning actor, Laurie created the role of Lady in Blue in Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf.  Two time BESSIE Award-winning choreographer, writer and director, Laurie Carlos has developed new characters and daring aesthetics for the stage for over 30 years.  

We have an incredible cast and a dedicated team of designers but we need your help to give this production its fullest life. It takes an army of people to put on a play. It truly is a community effort. Your contribution will be used to cover production costs (including artists' fees) for blu's Los Angeles opening.

Selected from over 950 submissions internationally blu was the winner of the 2010 Yale Drama Series Award. Contest judge and renowned playwright David Hare commented, "blu is technically expert…Grise’s choral effects are thrilling and unexpected. But, just as important, the play uses a heady mix of Latino and musical influences to cast oblique light on people you don’t usually come across on the English­speaking stage.”

blu was also a finalist for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Latino/a Playwriting Award and Alliance Theatre’s Kendeda Award. The play is already being taught at Cal State Fullerton, UC Riverside, University of Florida, and The University of California at Santa Cruz and will be published in September 2011 by Yale University Press. It has had staged readings in New York, Chicago, Austin, Atlanta and Los Angeles but has yet to receive a full production. Los Angeles is its home and we look forward to the world premiere in October.