SYNOPSIS

“We’re All Girls Here” written by Roni Ragone is the story of a teenage girl, Tubby, and her struggles with self-presentation as she’s given advice by some well meaning and not so well meaning friends.

PLAYWRIGHT’S BIO

Roni Ragone is a 22-year-old playwright and director. Ragone is currently studying English and Theatre with an emphasis on playwriting at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Ragone’s style has been described as witty and thought-provoking – they often experiment with creating real situations in unreal worlds. www.roniragone.com Instagram: @roniragone

A BIT ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

1. When did you start writing plays? If you had a moment where you realized you wanted to write, what was it?

I have been a writer since I was a kid, but I first started playwriting at the end of high school. I knew I loved writing, and I knew I loved theatre, but it didn’t occur to me until the end of high school that I could combine those things. In college, I finally saw one of my works on the stage, and from that moment, I knew I had to keep doing this forever.

2. How did you come to write your OOB play? Was there a particular inspiration behind its creation? How has it developed?

A few years ago, it was late into the night. I was becoming delusional from lack of sleep, but I couldn’t yet go to sleep because I had to write a short play for class due the next day. Maybe it was from fear of failing or maybe some alien creature taking over my body, but somehow I finished it. And once I turned it in, I knew it was…original. I was sure I would get poor reactions from my peers and professor, but I was delightfully surprised when they met me with laughter and understanding. Those reactions boosted my confidence, and I wrote more to the scene and made it into a short one-act. Another class of mine did readings and art for it, and then I decided to submit it to the festival.

3. What are 5 words that describe who you are as a playwright?

Innovative, goofy, clever, boisterous, gentle

4. What/who are some of the major influences on your writing?

Jen Silverman, Steve Yockey, Nick Pappas, A. Rey Pamatmat

5. What’s one fact someone would never guess about you?

I’m hopelessly in love with Nathan Lane

6. What are some of your favorite plays?

The Cost of Living by Matyna Majok
Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them by A. Rey Pamatmat
Angels in America by Tony Kushner (of course)
Wink by Jen Silverman
Sleeping Giant by Steve Yockey

7. Any new projects you’re working on or shameless plugs?

My full-length play, “Night Night, Roger Roger” will be produced as a mainstage production at UCSB this upcoming winter.

A new full-length play *title redacted for ultimate secrecy* will soon be available on my New Play Exchange!