Playwright

2838 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 234-2370
http://www.blank-page-writing.com
traininblank@gmail.com
tblankbarb@aol.com

Barbara Trainin Blank is a journalist (winner of two Rockower Awards from the American Jewish Press Association), arts reviewer and previewer, writer, and editor who entered the world of playwriting fairly recently. Several of her short plays have been workshopped at local and regional theaters, including Theatre Harrisburg, Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, Cicada Festival at Gretna, Lebanon Valley College, Carlisle Theatre, and Senior Theatre (of central Pennsylvania). These include Not Kate or Leo, a tribute to Isidor and Ida Strauss’s sacrifice on The Titanic (to be presented at Cicada) as well as a few other Jewish-themed plays. An excerpt of Shiva, a dramedy, was presented at AJT’s Playwrights Forum in New York City. Two of her short plays won competitions at Jewish Women’s Theatre and Theatre Ariel; the latter presented Morning Ride in two staged readings. Gretna Theatre, a professional venue, is producing her second full-length children’s musical this summer–part of a Theater for Young People program tied in with Gretna’s main stage season.

Play Roster

Shiva: A man seeking comfort during the mourning period for his father finds that elusive.

Morning Ride: A fact-based play about a West Bank couple killed in a drive-by shooting.

Not Kate or Leo: Isidor and Ida Strauss relive their love and heroism on the ill-fated ship.

Light My Fire: A reunion at a Jewish camp revives, and dims, romantic memories.

Like a Rolling Stone: A traditional Jewish woman meets a man in a nontraditional way (inspired by story of Jacob and Rachel).

When Michal Loved David: A monologue in modern times inspired by the tragic love between the King and his predecessor’s daughter.

The Odd Grandma: An elderly woman and rebellious granddaughter try to live together.

(In progress: How to Marry a Rabbi)