WRITE CLUB: The Punching Bag Series
WRITE CLUB is a collective run by writers, for writers. The Punching Bag Series was WRITE CLUB’s inaugural writing incubator, finishing with a series of developmental readings.
The company of nearly 90 early-career artists marks WRITE CLUB’s most far-reaching project so far.
Before you enter the ring — biceps flexed, teeth gritted, ready to give the crowed a show — you start alone in a room, just you and a punching bag.
Ten writers entered the ring with an idea. Four months later, after weekly meetings, structured feedback, and workshop sessions, they emerged with full-length drafts.
The series culminated with a week of developmental readings, no holds barred, debuting six new original plays and four screenplays.
Reading Series: St. Lydia’s, March 2025
Presented by WRITE CLUB at St. Lydia’s
Facilitated by Ethan Manuel Homen
Produced by Isabelle Chirls
Marketing by Mawahib Ismail
Space design by Sean Lillis
Featuring new work by AKARI, Tyler Exum, Anita Parrott, Mawahib Ismail, Bailey Jordan Garcia, Leo James Osborn, John Lindell, Harry Pont, Sydney Duncan, Declan Collins
STARFISH
Written by AKARI
Directed by Elena Messinger
Featuring Mimi Wu, Micaiah John, Kimi Handa Brown, Emmy Xu, Joe Meyer, Jason Hoover, Mary Kate Abner, Anuka Sethi
BLACK COMMIE BITCH
Written by Tyler Exum
Directed by Jordan Powell
Featuring Adrian Caldwell, Anuka Sethi, Mia Sterbini, Sophonie Pierre, Charlotte Polk, Darius Adamson, Victoria Lino, Harry Cooke
HIGH JOHN 5.17
Written by Anita Parrott
Directed by Ciera Miller
Featuring Jeff Parkinson, Ana Zambrana, Khalil Benjamin, Carter, Amaya Kiyomi, Lola Fadiran, Brandon Pineda-Bayudan, Carolyn Best
ROBBIN’ HOODS
Written by Mawahib Ismail
Directed by Damayanti Wallace
Featuring Alex Demeny, Braden Andrew, Dayaun Dewitt, Nadel Henville, Jaylin Taylor, Jonathan Price, A’ishah Muhammad, Maryama Warsame, Pimprenelle Behaeghel, Steven Rutledge, Sabir Abdikadir, Wasima Farah
DRAMA TRIANGLE
Written by Bailey Jordan Garcia
Directed by Em Hausmann
Featuring Kat Martin, Daniel Martinez, Bailey Jordan Garcia, Cam Bourne
LOVERS OF THE GOOD
Written by Leo James Osborn
Directed by Cary Sasso
Featuring Achille Van Ricca, Valentino Petrillo, Kelsey Collins, Julia Labusch, Carolyn Best, Nate Entz, Raine Higa, Steven Rutledge
DOE EYED
Written by John Lindell
Directed by Ruby Soudant & John Lindell
Featuring Oona Laurence, Jake Bakirdan, Aislinn Grace, Kelsey Collins, Corinne Kaleta, Zak Benedek, Wolfgang Hunter, Carolyn Best
MARIANNE’S HOUSE
Written by Harry Pont
Directed by Lydia Riess & Harry Pont
Featuring Fiona Tarses, Lennox T. Duong, Teniayo-Ola Macaulay, Ian Edlund, Ruby Rodgers, Jonah Neustadt, Declan Collins, Anuka Sethi, Liz Westbrook, Lydia Sims, Mira Korngold
HOLDING THE HEAD OF PENTHEUS
Written by Sydney Duncan
Directed by Sarah Shapiro
Featuring Kelsey Collins, Sahar Lev-Shomer, Leo James Osborn, Eric Berger, Carolyn Best
OPEN
Written by Declan Collins
Directed by Ferdinand Moscat
Featuring Jake Schroeder, Vinay Iyengar, Cole Burden, Charles Manning