The Parsnip Ship’s Radio Roots is an audio play commission program created in 2019 to support dynamic playwrights interested in re-engaging with playwriting through audio-focused storytelling, breaking away from traditional forms of visual storytelling. Much like all programming on The Parsnip Ship’s platform, Radio Roots seeks to cultivate distinct new theater artists by providing resources for the development of innovative and accessible stories for radio drama. Originated as a writers’ group and reimagined in 2023 as a fellowship, we empower our playwrights to explore the capacities of radio drama and re-define the sound of their stories.
Radio Roots is facilitated by Associate Artistic Director Al Parker and dramaturg Gabriella Steinberg. In addition to writing sessions and dramaturgical support, Radio Roots includes a writers’ retreat for the playwrights and sessions with Foley artists to craft their new works.
Radio Roots Playwriting Fellow, 2023
Jesse Jae Hoon
Radio Roots Writers’ Group Inaugural Cohort, 2019
Amara Brady, Gina Femia, Nina Ki and Javier Rivera DeBruin
The Radio Roots Writers’ Group was created and developed by
Iyvon E., Al Parker, Sadah Espii Proctor, and Gabriella Steinberg
In Fall 2020, the Radio Roots Writers’ Group cohort was commissioned by MCC Theater in partnership with The Parsnip Ship to write a collaborative radio play called THIS IS WHERE WE GO. The six-part serial radio play premiered in December 2020.
MEET THE PLAYWRIGHTS
Amara J. Brady (she/her/hers) is a generative artist & cultural dramaturg from Chicago. At the crux of her artistry is uplifting Black women and connecting underserved communities. As an actor she’s been on stage at The Lark, Joe’s Pub, NYU Skirball, Barrington Stage Co., NYTW, 54 Below, & others. As a writer her work has been staged at The Drama League, The Dramatists Guild, Joe’s Pub, and The Wow Cafe Theatre. She wants to remind you to resist, check your privilege, & then give some space to Women of Color & Trans Folx. Ashé to the ancestors. All Power to all people.
Gina Femia’s work has been seen/developed at Goodman Theatre, MCC Theater, Playwrights Horizons, Ensemble Studio Theater, Northern Stage, Page73, and New Georges, among others. Selected honors include The Kilroys List, Leah Ryan Prize, Doric Wilson Award, Otis Guernsey New Voices Award and the Neukom Award in Playwriting. Gina's work has been nominated for a Drama League Award and a New York Innovative Theater Award. Gina is a current Core Writer with The Playwrights' Center, and an alum of EST Youngblood, Page73's Interstate 73, Pipeline Theatre’s PlayLab, New Georges' Audrey Residency, the Ingram New Play Lab and Parsnip Ship's Radio Roots Writers' Group. Gina is a New Georges Affiliated Artist and has received residencies with Page73, Powerhouse, NTI at the O’Neill, SPACE on Ryder Farm, and Fresh Ground Pepper. MFA, Sarah Lawrence College (Lipkin Prize in Playwriting). www.femiagina.com
Jesse Jae Hoon (he/him) is a playwright, actor, and organizer. Plays include Somebody is Looking Back At Me, Dong Xuan Center (2022 Princess Grace Fellowship Finalist, 2019 O'Neill NPC Finalist), On the Clock, I've Got A Sinking Feeling in the Pit of My Stomach, The House of Billy Paul, Emergency Wine & Cheese Fundraiser of the Amagansett Democrats’ Association (2022 O'Neill NPC Semifinalist), and 12 Chairs. Short plays include Chicken is Condemned to be Free and I'm Going To Make an Academy Award®-Winning Movie. CRNY Resident Playwright at Ma-Yi Theater Company; 2022-2023 Writing Fellow at Playwrights Realm; commission from Theater J; 2022 semifinalist, Clubbed Thumb Biennial Commission; inaugural member, Orchard Project Adaptation Lab; member, The TANK NYC's LIT Council, Page Break. MFA in Playwriting from Hunter College, BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch (Playwrights Horizons). Organizer with Democratic Socialists of America and Equity Next. Teaching undergraduate playwriting at Hunter College. jessejaehoon.com / @jessejaehoon
Javier Rivera DeBruin (they/them/theirs) is a queer-ass playwright and impact producer whose work explores gender, other-worldly bffs, family, and heritage. Their play Luciérnagas was a NY Times Critic’s Pick during its World Premiere with National Queer Theater at the 14th St Y in 2021 and was a semi-finalist for the 2019 New Dramatists Princess Grace Award. Javi is a co-writer on a six-part podcast play This Is Where We Go (MCC Theater/The Parsnip Ship) and a member of the Parsnip Ship’s inaugural Radio Roots Writers’ Group where their play Happy Birthday Angel Dearest will stream soon. As an Impact Producer, they have developed audience engagement strategies with acclaimed documentaries including Disclosure (Netflix), Philly D.A. (PBS/Topic), Bedlam (PBS), and Roll Red Roll (Netflix). www.jriveradebruin.com
Nina Ki (xe/she/they) is a Queerean (Queer + Korean) American playwright who was born and raised in Los Angeles, but currently lives in Brooklyn. Xe graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2008 with a BFA in Dramatic Writing, and xer plays have been read, recorded, and presented nationwide, including with Via Brooklyn, Yale Summer Cabaret, Queens Theatre, and The Parsnip Ship. Xer play Moon Bear was given special consideration for the Relentless Award, and xer play Taemong (Birth Dream) was a finalist for the Van Lier Fellowship. Xe was also an inaugural member of The Parsnip Ship's Radio Roots Writer's Group. To contact xer or learn more about xer work, please visit xer website at www.nina-ki.com.