Image by Teresa Castracane: The Pillowman with Forum Theatre
IN THE THEATRE
DRAMATURGY and NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT
1st Stage, VA Eat It, Too** by Jennifer Barclay, dir. Johanna Gruenhut
Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy, MD Maple** by KJ Moran Velz, dir. Ayesis Clay
Human and Machine Connection ** by Soo-Jin Lee, dir. Lenox Kamara
Artists' Bloc, DC Green Sweater ** by Hannah Fogler, dir. Hunter Styles
Brave Spirits Theatre, VA Coriolanus by William Shakespeare, dir. Charlene Smith
The Trojan Women Project ** devised by ensemble, dir. Rachel Hynes
Brooklyn Center for the Arts, NY Why We Have a Body by Claire Chafee, dir. Mary Beth Easley
The Informer by Bertolt Brecht, dir. Jimena Duca
Capital Fringe Festival, DC Nutshell* written and directed by Callie Kimball
Catholic University Theatre, DC Patrator by Seth Rosenke, dir. Jason Schlafstein
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, MD Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare, dir. Christopher Niebling
Doorway Arts Ensemble, MD Muzungu** by David Myers, dir. Hunter Styles
Exquisite Corpse** by Mia Chung, dir. Hannah Todd
Electric Pear Productions, NY Closing The Deal** by Melissa Ross
The Get** by Ross Harris
Untitled** by Kathryn Walat
Paternity** by Winter Miller
MAY 39th/40th** by Callie Kimball
Sofonisba** by Callie Kimball
Hades/Persephone** by Molly Rice
Field Trip Theatre, DC Somersaulting** by Liz Maestri, dir. Amanda Coffin
Forum Theatre, MD What Every Girl Should Know by Monica Byrne, dir. Jenna Duncan
The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh, dir. Yury Urnov
The T Party written and directed by Natsu Onoda Power
Agnes Under the Big Top by Aditi Brennan Kapil, dir. Michael Dove
Holly Down in Heaven* by Kara Lee Corthron, dir. Michael Dove
Church by Young Jean Lee, dir. Michael Dove
The Language Archive by Julia Cho, dir. Jessica Burgess
bobrauschenbergamerica by Charles Mee, dir. Derek Goldman
One Flea Spare by Naomi Wallace, dir. Alexander Strain
Everyman by anonymous, dir. Andrew Merkel
All Things Seen* adapted and choreographed by Kelly Bartnik
Inkwell Theatre, DC The Big Rip** by Rich Espey, dir. Linda Lombardi
The Last Skywriter in the Universe**by Steven Bogart, dir. Renana Fox
Furball** by Susan Soon He Stanton, dir. Ryan Maxwell
Periwinkle Walls** by Robert Montenegro, dir. Kelsey Mesa
Fortune and Pain** by Tira Palmquist, dir. Jess Jung
Desert Highway Love Song** by Jerry Ruiz, dir. Jessica Burgess
Furbelow** by J. Stephen Brantley, dir. Lee Liebeskind
Cassandra** by Kat Sherman, dir. Amanda Johnson
Clementine & the Cyberducks** by Krista Knight, dir. Shirley Serotsky
Paper Beats Rock Reading Series (co-founder), NY Multiple**, pro and grad student playwrights, including David Myers, Molly Rice, Kathryn Walat
Pinky Swear Productions, DC Benched* by Allyson Currin, dir. Matt Ripa
Bleed* by Renee Calarco, dir. Matt Ripa
Smudge by Rachel Axler, dir. Ryan Maxwell
Killing Women by Marisa Wegrzyn, dir. Jessica Aimone
The Public Theater, NY Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, dir. Michael Greif
Rorschach Theatre, DC Klecksography written and directed by multiple DC artists
Theatre Alliance, DC Blight** by John Bavoso, dir. Ryan Maxwell
Urban Garden Performing Arts, NC Mark Twain's Joan of Arc: 1* adapted by Luke Wallens & Laura Esti Miller, dir. PJ Maske
Mark Twain's Joan of Arc: 2* adapted by Luke Wallens & Laura Esti Miller, dir. PJ Maske
The University of Virginia Drama Department Sense and Sensibility by Kate Hamill, dir. Marianne Kubik
WSC Avant Bard, VA Friendship Betrayed, by Maria de Zayas y Sotomayor, dir. by Kari Ginsburg
DIRECTING AND PLAYWRITING
-Ballibay Arts, PA Director:The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco Creator and director: The Friendly Dragon, A Broadway Revue
-Educational Theatre Company, DC and VA Playwright and director: Aesop’s Fables, The Case of the Broken Clock, Heroes and Myths, Tales of the Rainforest Director: Multiple sketch comedy shows
-Loudoun Arts Center, VA Playwright and director:The Four Winds Director: High School Musical by David Simpatico, music adapted by Bryan Louiselle, A Midsummer Night's Dream, scenes by William Shakespeare, Ophelia & Juliet, scenes by William Shakespeare, Seussical (excerpts), by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
-Montgomery College, MD Director: The Thanksgiving Play** by Larissa FastHorse, Like It ** by Shannon Pritchard Co-Director: John Proctor is the Villain** by Kimberly Bellflower, The Trojan Women** by Euripides, adapted by Ellen McLaughlin, Heddatron** by Elizabeth Meriwether
-Round House Educational Theatre, MD all directed by Laura Esti Miller, devised with students The Case of the Artless Art Thief The Dragon's Gems Escape from Musical Island Jumbled Comic Strips Laundromat Cat London Falling: This Is The End? Luna Lerrvgood The Stolen Eggs Tales of the Underworld
NON-PROFIT CONSULTING Advocates for Youth, DC The 1 in 3 Plays – Conversations About Abortion* - multiple DC-based playwrights
Bee The Change, MD I Am Her* by Amanda Moskowitz, dir. Toni Rae Salmi The Firm, DC The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler, dir. Emily Coccia
*world premiere
**workshop or reading
Image - What Every Girl Should Know with Forum Theatre. By DJ Corey
IN THE CLASSROOM and COMMUNITY
-Montgomery College, Professor 2017-present -University of Mary Washington, Professor 2019-2022 -Teaching Artist, 1st Stage July 2020-January 2021 -Teaching Artist, Educational Theatre Co. Dec. 2015-Dec. 2021
-Coordinating Artist, Round House Theatre May 2016-December 2016
-George Mason University, Professor Fall 2016 -Writing Instructor, Writopia Lab September 2014-June 2017
-Catholic University - Graduate Program, Professor Fall 2015 -Teaching Artist, Loudoun Arts Center Aug 2014-September 2015
-Team Teacher & Substitute, New School of NOVA Jan. 2014-Jan. 2015
-Northern Virginia Community College, Professor 2011-2016 -Playwriting Workshop Leader, Village Community School Spring 2010
-Theatre Workshop Leader, Midwood High School, NYC Fall 2005
-Director and Teacher, Ballibay Arts Camp, Camptown Summer 2002
-Assistant Director, Young Actors Theatre, VA Summers 1999-2002
ARTS and NON-PROFIT ADMINISTRATION EXPERIENCE
-Montgomery College - August 2024 - current: Literary Manager and Co-Director of Special Events -1st Stage - December 2015-March 2021: Literary Manager
-Forum Theatre - September 2003-August 2005, August 2010-December 2015: Literary Manager
-Source Festival Spring/Summer 2015: Co-coordinating Dramaturg/Inkwell Liaison
-The Inkwell Fall 2011-Spring 2015: Dramaturg/Partner
-KCACTF, The Princess Grace Awards, The Public Theater, The Inkwell, The Garden - April 2007-present: Advising Reader, Panelist
-Electric Pear Productions August 2008-September 2010: Creative Development Director
-The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts September 2002 – August 2005: Program Assistant, Education Department
INVITED LECTURES
“Who's That Lady?': Theatre, Gender, Women's Work” Montgomery College February 2019
“Female Playwrights on Broadway and Off-Broadway Stages” Columbia University April 2010
“Romeo & Juliet: The Public Theater Production” Baruch College June 2007
“On Display: The Female Brain at Work in Why We Have a Body” Brooklyn College October 2006
PUBLICATIONS
Contributor, 2amtheatre.com
Contributor, OpenForum, forum-theatre.org
Contributor, Inkblog, inkwelltheatre.org
Contributor, Performing Arts Management. By Tobie Stein, Jessica Bathurst. New York: Allworth Press, 2008
Author, Romeo and Juliet: A Synopsis. Published in Playbill, June 2007
Author, Dance Soup: A Study Guide. Published by Tribeca Performing Arts Center, May 2006
ENGAGEMENT
Interview, The Original Cast podcast, Distantly Social #45, recorded by Patrick Flynn May 2, 2020
Interview, The Original Cast podcast re: Jekyll & Hyde, recorded by Patrick Flynn February 13, 2019
Facilitator, Post performance discussions, The Trojan Women Project/Coriolanus Spring 2018
Facilitator, OpenForum discussion facilitator Fall 2010-2018
Post reading discussion facilitator, The Inkwell Spring 2011-2015
Session leader and trainer, The Project Gym September 2013-May 2014 Interview, “Make An Impact Now” Diversity and Inclusion blog, Theatre Communications Group, tcg.org
Interview, “Women Dramaturgs of DC” with Jacqueline Lawton, jacquelinelawton.com Post performance discussion facilitator, Pinky Swear Productions April 2012-September 2013
AFFILIATIONS and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
KCACTF, Region 2 respondent - 2024-present Member of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas – 2003-present
Participant - multiple LMDA conferences – 2003-present Helen Hayes Awards judge - TheatreWashington – 2015-2020
Participant - Arena Stage New Play Convening 2011
Participant - TCG National Conference 2012
Participant - Dramaturgy Open Office Hours Project 2015
EDUCATION MFA - Brooklyn College: Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism
BA - James Madison University: Theatre and Dance
“Conscientious. Empathetic. And always willing to go the extra mile. Add these to the depth of her knowledge, and you get why I’m delighted every time I get to work with Laura. She’s a cherished colleague in the halls of education and in the theater industry.”