Ian Thal

I'm a fan of a number of Donna Latham's works including CODECRACKER, YELLA JACK, SUFFER A WITCH, and CURS'D BE MACBETH.

newplayexchange.org/users/1374/d...

I'm a fan of a number of Donna Latham's works including CODECRACKER, YELLA JACK, SUFFER A WITCH, and CURS'D BE MACBETH.

newplayexchange.org/users/1374/d...

Thank you fellow playwright Donna Latham for recommending my short play JAN KULTURA, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, MEETS THE CROWD on @newplayexchange.bsky.social!

newplayexchange.org/script/19921...

You can read Dan's plays here: newplayexchange.org/users/90220/...

Dan West recommended Jan Kultura, Substitute Teacher, Meets The Crowd by Ian Thal: “When off-beat substitute teacher Mr. Kultura first steps in front of today’s assigned charges, it seems like we are being setup for a blood in the water moment with the classroom eating him alive. But instead what we get is Thal and Kultura turning the tables on all of us for a hilarious indictment of corporate crowdsourcing as a component of late stage capitalism. If all lessons on economics were this engaging, we might all have a better understanding of why things are the way they are in the world we live in.”

Thank you to fellow playwright Dan West for his recommendation of my short play JAN KUTURA, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, MEETS THE CROWD on the New Play Exchange!

newplayexchange.org/script/19921...

I am fond of a number of @noralouisesyran.bsky.social's plays including IMPRESSIONS OF PARIS, THE MOUNTAIN OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD, and GOODFELLOW, ROBIN HOOD.
newplayexchange.org/users/34709/...

Jan Kultura, Substitute Teacher, Meets The Crowd by Ian Thal Mister Kultura is filling in for the regular social studies teacher. The students refuse to provide their real names, identifying themselves only by such monikers as "King of My Pants" and "Unique Superstar" while a previously scheduled guest speaker named Jackie gives a presentation on the awesomeness of the crowdsourced economy. RECOMMENDED BY Nora Louise Syran: “Ian Thal is a thinker. He's also very funny. So when he brings in Mister Kultura --"I like this guy"-- and passes around a do-it-yourself- attendance sheet, I knew immediately I was in for a ride and you will be too. And, most importantly, you'll be "happy, because subjects of King of His Pants are patriots who just want to have fun"! Right?!🤣” 12/10/2025

Thank you to fellow playwright @noralouisesyran.bsky.social for recommending my short play JAN KULTURA, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, MEETS THE CROWD on the @newplayexchange.bsky.social!
newplayexchange.org/script/19921...

Check out James' play, NICK AND GEORGIA VISIT A SEX CLUB! newplayexchange.org/script/31873...

Recently Recommended: James Perry recommended Jan Kultura, Substitute Teacher, Meets The Crowd by lan Thal: "This satirical play is clever, sharp, and unapologetically pointed. An engaging piece that knows exactly what it wants to say and has a hell of a time saying it. It's smart, funny, and absolutely worth sharing with an audience."

Thank you to fellow playwright James Perry for his recommendation of my short play, JAN KULTURA, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, MEETS THE CROWD, on @newplayexchange.bsky.social!

newplayexchange.org/script/19921...

You can read Lisa's plays on NPX at newplayexchange.org/users/38716/...

Making Out With Katy and Jonah (The Orgone Oscillation Overthruster Play) by Ian Thal Two artists go home together after a poetry reading. Things get weird, then they get weirder. RECOMMENDED BY Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: “I read this one for the title, and it was as wonderfully ridiculous as I hoped it would be! I was on board from the character descriptions. There are so many wonderful opportunities for physical comedy in here. A trio of comedic actors would have an absolute field day with this short. So delightfully bonkers!” 11/15/2025

Thank you fellow playwright Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend for recommending my short play, MAKING OUT WITH KATY AND JONAH (THE ORGONE OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER PLAY) on @newplayexchange.bsky.social.
newplayexchange.org/script/27927...

Earlier this year I wrote a short play about an artist who discovers he has been banned from a performance venue after speaking out against 9/11 conspiracy theories. It's on the @newplayexchange.bsky.social

newplayexchange.org/script/31933...

Didn't Spike Lee have to reedit his 9/11 documentary for HBO after it was criticized for promoting truther conspiracy theories?

I am also fond of Diamond's play, ALICIA, which is about another dancer, Alicia Alonso. newplayexchange.org/script/31794...

Locomotive Telephony with Dancer and Editor by Ian Thal A spontaneous telephone call from his dancer friend, N.B., inspires Jonah, a poet, to compose a new poem. The editor of a poetry journal wants to rewrite the poem. N.B. and Jonah, nonetheless, dance. RECOMMENDED BY J.Lois Diamond: “ I absolutely adore this witty spirited play. It's full of physical and verbal gymnastics. The rhythmic language sings with the magic of poetry and I can totally picture the spontaneous choreography happening while on an Amtrak train. I would love to see this produced. ” 9/5/2025

Thank you to fellow playwright J. Lois Diamond for recommending my short play LOCOMOTIVE TELEPHONY WITH DANCER AND EDITOR on @newplayexchange.bsky.social!
newplayexchange.org/script/32133... @sugatala.bsky.social

You can check out Danielle Wirsansky's plays here:
newplayexchange.org/users/20003/...

Banned from the Great Unknown by Ian Thal December 2003, Cambridge, Massachusetts, months after Amiri Baraka has been removed from the post of New Jersey Poet Laureate: A discussion between two performance poets about a possible upcoming gig becomes adversarial as the subject turns to terrorist networks, conspiracy theories, political appointments, and artistic gatekeeping. RECOMMENDED BY Danielle Wirsansky: “ Banned from the Great Unknown is a sharp, timely exploration of political divides and the complexities of artistic expression. The tension between the two poets, layered with personal history and global issues, makes for a thought-provoking piece on how beliefs can fracture even the closest bonds. ” 6/8/2025

Thank you to fellow playwright Danielle Wirsansky for her recommendation of my short play BANNED FROM THE GREAT UNKNOWN which can be read on @newplayexchange.bsky.social!

newplayexchange.org/script/31933...

This was done last season, as I recall.

It never occurred to me since all those Christianities looked alike to me, so I was very surprised in 7th grade when some of my Protestant classmates were insistent that Catholicism wasn't just a different flavor of Christianity but "not-Christian."

Not quite. It's because the British and Dutch colonies in the Americans were (with the exception of Maryland where English Catholics were allowed to settle) were various strains of Protestant, and they brought their anti-Catholicism over with them. The US inherited that prejudice at its founding.

Just finished listening to the discussion, as Sergi was describing how these troupes were constantly modifying their plays to fit the venue and environmental factors, it reminded me of how my former mime/performance troupe operated.

Saw the film a few months ago, very enjoyable in its own right.

I don't know what you're talking about! He's never seen himself falling asleep on the job!

April 23: In honor of William Shakespeare's birthday and the anniversary of his death, I offer my sequel to the "The Merchant of Venice": THE CONVERSOS OF VENICE

It's available on @newplayexchange.bsky.social !

newplayexchange.org/script/19903...

Non-topologist/non-knot theorist figured it out!

However much classic Doctor Who kept the children watching with monsters, robots, and spaceships, the best stories kept the adults watching with dramatic (or satiric) underpinnings, well-sketched supporting characters and smart dialogue.

It works best when adults aren't embarrassed to watch it.

Ironically, I first heard of Doctor Who several weeks prior from another kid who, in retrospect, must have been recapping "The Ark in Space" so when I turned on "The Brain of Morbius" what I was getting was not remotely what I was expecting.

My first Doctor Who story was "The Brain of Morbius" which was that weird mixture of grotesque gothic horror, humor, space-opera, and deep mythology of the series that was meant for the initiated. It was weird and I was hooked.

I go back to the the Doctor Who serials I grew up with and I usually find that the stories I enjoyed the most from my childhood are far more adult than most of the 21st century incarnation of the show.

A Disheveled Hugh Bonneville Proves To Be a Dedicated Ensemble Player in Uncle Vanya The Downton Abbey star leads a talented cast in satisfying, snarky, and spiced-up adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.

In @wcp.bsky.social I review @shakespeareindc.bsky.social's production of Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA (English adaptation by Conor McPherson). Simon Godwin directs.

washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7622...