Shirley LeMaster Discusses Her 15 Years with S2S2S

  by Shirley LeMaster

Burt Peachy and Michael Craft Johnson, principal founders of S2S2S, collaborated fifteen years ago to establish a theatre for gay emerging playwrights.  Their intent was to allow original works to be acted out so the playwrights could see how audiences reacted to their plays.  The first couple of years were presented in traditional readers' theatre style: standing behind music stands. Then we evolved into blocking the shows and using limited props, settings, and costumes, with the actors carrying their scripts. If we do our jobs right, the audience usually doesn't notice the scripts as the play progresses.

I was fortunate to be cast in the first show and am delighted to be in our final show (acting in many in between). Burt asked me to serve as Ombudsperson for the group, mediating differences when appropriate.  My corporate background was as Director in Labor Relations and Human Resources, and Burt wanted to use those skill sets. He also asked me to negotiate with Actors' Equity when we cast Union members. Later my role morphed into Company Manager, but I continued to act in many of our productions.

 S2S2S has presented over 100 staged readings, produced two "Indie" movies, and collaborated with Dezart Performs to create a documentary about Proposition 8 during its heyday.  Each year we solicit original scripts, last year receiving more than 160 from around the world.

S2S2S is profoundly indebted to UUCOD for providing a venue for us for the past fifteen years. UUCOD is a liberal religious community that strives for social justice for everyone. We are the church’s "Performing Arts Project" and share their values; S2S2S presents plays reflecting respect and dignity for all people and acceptance of others.

The UU religion does not have a dogma nor claim to have answers to life's mysteries. Rather, UUs enjoy discussing the mysteries and learning about others' spiritual journeys. S2S2S reflects that approach by presenting plays on racism, intolerance, the Holocaust, human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and the joys of living in this big, fascinating world.

My proudest achievement is being active with S2S2S since its inception; I got to participate with so many talented, creative people working together to create depictions of real life issues that are fun and funny, witty and charming, painful and frightening, but mostly thought-provoking.

Acting is my passion! It's been a marvelous way to spend fifteen years!

Note from Audrey Liebross: Shirley LeMaster, who has been involved in Script2Stage2Screen (S2S2S) since its inception, is acting in its last production, Engagement Rules, by Rich Orloff. That staged reading will be presented on Friday and Saturday, June 21st and June 22nd, at 7:30 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert (UUCOD). I originally intended to interview Shirley for a preview of the presentation, but what she wrote in answer to my questions was so terrific that I decided to edit it lightly and turn it into its own article.