The Trumpet

Elephant Room Productions presents “Suddenly,” the first audio play of The Fifth Vital Sign.  In “Suddenly,” a couple is forced to contend with bitterness and anger along with grief as they write an obituary for their daughter.  “Suddenly” is written by Ellen Davis Sullivan, directed by Robert Gene Pellechio, and features Ginger Agnew and Shaun […]

Elephant Room Productions debuts the first audio play of The Fifth Vital Sign on June 28th.  Stay tuned to elephantroomproductions.com and our podcast, the Trumpet, to listen to the audio play. In “Suddenly,” a couple is forced to contend with bitterness and anger along with their grief as they write an obituary for their daughter. […]

This month I speak with Atlanta Playwright Emily McClain about her dark comedy Cheek By Jowl. We touch on how it relates to her own family life and sense of humor, and also the unintentional channeling of Martin Crane in her piece. The scene featured in this month’s episode features Shaun Yates as Martin, Julianne […]

Elephant Room Productions debuts The Fifth Vital Sign, a mulitmedia experiece about the opioid epidemic, on June 28th, 2019.  Stay tuned to elephantroomproductions.com and our podcast, the Trumpet, for the new audio plays in the series. Music featured in this production: Home – By Whitesand (https://youtu.be/3r8gL1vWGx0).

This month I talk to Philadelphia playwright about her autobiographical piece Dyscalculia. We discuss finding theatre later in life and commiserate on the struggles of getting teachers to understand. The scene featured in this month’s episode features Christie Civil as Katrina and Lauren M. Shover as Teacher #2. Stage Directions provided by Robert Gene Pellechio.

This month we travel back to the 1940s with Caitlin Cieri’s historical drama Shoujodan: Song of the Scouts. We discuss the ins and outs of writing shows with large character breakdowns and small casts and take a look at why Historical Fiction is crucial for understanding the past. The scene featured in this week’s episode […]

But Soft, What Light Through Yonder Window Breaks? Oh it’s just Trumpet host Robert Gene Pellechio and ERP Artistic Associate Latrice Smith talking about one of the greatest playwrights who ever lived! In our next Discussion series installment we talk all about the Bard’s influence on Theatre and why his work is still relevant today.

This month I welcome back previous Trumpet performers Shaun Yates and Meg Falasco to join in our first purely discussion based episode! Join us as we dive into a free-form conversation about the growing prevalence of musicals adapted from odd or unlikely sources, and try to make heads or tails of the ones that didn’t […]

This month I speak with New York playwright Scott C. Sickles about his piece Marianas Trench. We touch on writing about LGBT issues from an LGBT perspective, the challenges of writing a trilogy play, and I try unsuccessfully to pull some spoilers out of Scott about his day job, writing for General Hospital. The scene […]

Happy New Year! Enjoy your first day of 2019 with a conversation with Philadelphia playwright Shelli Pentimall Bookler about her riveting (pardon the pun) play about the ship that could have prevented one of the most famous Oceanic disasters of the 20th century, and also listen closely for my bad Colm Wilkinson impression (and as an added […]

This month I speak with playwright Christopher Carter Sanderson about his surreal Noh inspired piece Eugenics, Oregon. We talk about the inspirations of Noh, the complications of being bisexual in the LGBT community, and the practicality of magical time and space altering Gummy Bears. The scene featured in this month’s episode features Anthony Ciccamore as John, […]

This month I speak with New York playwright about his play Lumps, and All. In our discussion we talk about the journey of adapting a play from a novel from a true life experience, and all of the extra paths that journey can take. The scene featured in this month’s episode features Robert Gene Pellechio […]

Tomorrow is the night! After months of planning, workshopping, and rehearsing we are finally ready to share with the world our newest project, Salamander by Lisa VilaMill. Today I am joined one more time by Salamander Assistant Director and ERP company Member Latrice Smith to discuss why this piece means so much to everyone involved. Salamander runs September 6th through […]

Only two more days until we open our powerful production of Salamander by Lisa VillaMil! Today I’m once again joined by Salamander Assistant Director and ERP Company Member Latrice Smith to discuss the Skinner Studio at Plays & Players and the benefits of performing this piece in such an intimate space. Salamander runs September 6th through the 9th at the Skinner […]

We’re only a few days away from sharing the beautiful new original play Salamander by Lisa VillaMil. Today I’m rejoined by Salamander Assistant Director and ERP Company member Latrice Smith to discuss the organization Women Organized Against Rape, Philadelphia’s only rape crisis center. (A generous portion of the proceeds from Salamander will be donated to W.O.A.R in our continued effort to raise […]

Our Fringe production of Salamander by Lisa VillaMil is about to premiere! Today I talk with Salamander Assistant Director and ERP company Member Latrice Smith about the journey this amazing play has taken, from the initial reading to this fully staged production! Salamander runs September 6th through the 9th at the Skinner Studio at Plays & Players Theatre in Philadelphia […]

Elephant Room Productions is currently looking for poets and spoke word artists who would like to perform at an upcoming event we are holding at Tattooed Moms in South Philly on Thursday evening, August 23rd! Please submit interest to Latrice Smith at latrice@elephantroomproductions.com.

This month I speak with playwright Brianna Keller about her Dracula-inspired piece, The Third Bride. We also discuss other aspects of vampirism, the challenges of writing a prequel, and I try desperately for once to not veer off track and talk about Harry Potter (and succeed for about one and a half minutes into the episode). […]

This month I talk with playwright Tess Light about her play, Billy Joel Holds the Key to the Afterlife, and have some hard-hitting discussions on Life, Death, Ganesh, and the unbelievable relevance the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding has on our respective lives. Thee scene featured in today’s episode features Robin Jarret as Frances, […]

This month I speak with NY playwright Catherine Weingarten about her dark comedy Karate Hottie. We discuss the challenges of humanizing an unlikable character and finding footing in a world of absurdity, and I also help Catherine face her frustrations in not obtaining the coveted Unicorn Frappuccino. The scene featured in today’s episode features Jaried […]