I am a visiting professor and playwright who works internationally. I co-founded the International Climate Change Theatre Action, involving 50 playwrights, 200 venues and 12,000 audience members worldwide. My short play was performed in Paris, New York, Vancouver, Abu Dhabi, Chicago, etc. and for Al Gore. I work at Quest University Canada (where I read Be the Change while preparing to teach Climate Change Theatre), Pomona College (where I wrote an environmental play on a Mellon Foundation commission), and Western Washington University. I didn’t fly for one year, and I’ve cut down my flying about 80% over the past five years. To be honest, I find not flying a challenge to my career. I’m trying to work more locally. I like the feeling of being more responsible to future generations. I’m now ready to be more open about my commitment to not flying, which I have not shared with my colleagues. I plan to take the train as much as possible/for part of the way to make that commitment. I love taking the train/slow travel. Let’s pressure the airline industry to come up with alternatives.
Recent artistic and academic appointments:
Playwright in Residence/Visiting Professor at Pomona College, Quest University, and Western Washington University, an Associate at Vancouver’s Playwrights Theatre Centre,
Robert Hartung Endowed Chair of Dramatic Writing, Head of MFA Program, University of New Mexico; on faculty at Disquiet International Literary Program in Lisbon. Selected Guest Teaching Keynotes/Lectures: Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, Arts Club Theatre, Chan Centre, Playwrights Guild of Canada, Nanjing Normal University, Lincoln Centre Director’s Project West, University of Panama, University of Tasmania.