@dramatistsguild @teresacwash

In 2012, Dramatists Guild member Elaine Liner sat down to pen Sweater Curse: A Yarn About Love, a really smart play about love, loss and hope that infused some of her personal experiences. One year later, at the age of 59 years (she gave me permission to disclose that), Elaine made her debut as a solo performer and playwright at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, the largest arts festival in the world. Every year thousands of performers take to hundreds of stages all over Edinburgh to present shows for every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters for everyone and includes theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events. In 2014, Sweater Curse was among the line-up of theatre performances receiving a professional production in Scotland at the Fringe. Liner spent a year raising funds for the trip, holding workshops in churches, rehearsing in small theatres and practicing in her friend’s living rooms to ensure the play was ready for its international debut. The show only requires a small, mobile set (music to any Executive Producer’s ears) and appeals, mostly, to an older audience so according to Liner, Sweater Curse is still receiving its fair share of productions. I had the good fortune of seeing it in January of this year at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center in North Dallas. To my surprise, a large part of the audience was engaged in needlework throughout the performance but that was by design. “I always invite the audience to bring their stuff. What other theatre piece can you knit during?”

But aside from being a profound playwright, Elaine is a marketing mastermind—she brings new meaning to old adage, find your tribe. Months before she landed in Scotland, Elaine connected with knitting clubs, individual crafters and yarn stores in and around Edinburgh via social media to invite them to see her play at the Fringe and to remind them to BYOY (bring your own yarn). She found her audience, and they came in droves, full houses…in London! Elaine clearly has a niche for writing plays about seniors but she firmly believes you have to tell your niche market that you exist. “You must know who is your audience and where are they.”

What’s encouraging about Elaine’s story is it affirms that playwriting doesn’t have a shelf life. There’s no reason why any of us should sit idly by our computers waiting for an acceptance letter. There are simply so many unorthodox opportunities available to us. Elaine’s goal is to write plays for veteran actors who are being sidelined because the unfortunate reality is there is a dearth of substantive work for seniors. Her recent piece is titled Cappy & Monty (short for Capulet and Montague), the story of two older people who fall in love at first sight, jump right into bed, have great sex and their adult children try to keep them apart—sort of a Romeo and Juliet in reverse. These stories are reflective of what Liner says she hears from seniors who reside in assisted living facilities. One thing is for sure, Elaine Liner knows how to command attention and pack a room. She has graciously offered to share her marketing secrets on how to be unique as playwrights in the landscape of the never ending submission process. Be sure to connect with us on our DFW Dramatists Guild Facebook group page and look out for possible workshop dates.

Elaine Liner in Sweater Curse: A Yarn About Love, New Orleans production 2014

twash@dramatistsguild.com