Cowgirls Don't Ride Zebras: After the Show

I’ve been trying to think of what I want to say about the production of Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras and how things ended up, but there's so much that I don't know where to start. So, I’ll just ramble and see where I end up!

Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras was the first play of mine to be professionally produced. Yes, I’ve had plays produced, but not “professionally.” And the fact that it was a play for families and young audiences doesn’t diminish that experience. Some people have asked me if it’s strange to me that my first play to be produced was a “children’s play.” My answer is no; it’s not strange. First off all, I didn’t write a “children’s play.” Yes, I wrote the play with my son Jack in mind, but I also wrote it for me, an adult (as far as I can tell). I also wrote the play for all the parents that are bringing their kids to the theatre, maybe for the first time. And I wrote it for adults without kids who are curious about what the title means or who love theatre.

What I’ve done is essentially write a Disney movie (maybe Disney Junior tv movie...) for the stage. In a way, I’ve returned to my first love, animation, and used those ideals to create a play that was, hopefully, entertaining to all audiences. There was enough laughter from adults and kids each time I saw it to know that I did have some success! And the fact that my son Jack wanted to see it over and over (I think he saw 5 of the 10 performances) tells me I succeeded in my original intent: write a play that Jack loves.

Jack and me at one of the many performances he attended. He wanted to wear a costume.

It went by so fast: the rehearsal process, the growth of the actors into their characters, the performances, the events surrounding the play (interviews, book readings). It all went by so quickly. I feel as though I’ve bungee jumped, and now I’m still springing up and down after the main jump has happened. 

Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras isn’t finished. The book is still out there! I have some  small rewrites to do and then the play is going out into the world in search for a second production. And third. And fourth...

For me, I still have to work on the next plays: Tatterhood for Columbus School for Girls and, as announced, The Throne of Oz for CATCO is Kids. I’m a working, professional playwright. Yes, I still have a day job, but it’s a good gig. My goal from grad school (over 10 years ago now) was to someday have a relationship with a cool theatre in whatever town I called home. It was a small, simple goal that I had started to fear would never come to fruition. But here I am. You have to define your success. For me, it’s having my plays in front of audiences.

And you know what’s cool? I’m writing for future audiences. I’m writing for audience members who may become lifelong theatre lovers because of my work. Some of the best moments of the production was seeing all the kids, excited about the show before, and even more excited after. Some girls came dressed up as cowgirls, some had boots, some had hats, one came out completely decked out in full regalia! It was awesome. On opening night, I sat in front of a boy named Silas who was 2 1/2 and Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras was his first play. That’s beyond special. It was also great to see so many girls at the show. ​

After each show, I signed copies of the book and spoke to the parents and kids about the performance. I asked them if they enjoyed themselves and what their favorite animal was. They had a great experience. I had a great experience. The final day of performances, I had run out of books to sell at the performance, so I'd created a way for parents to order a copy that I would then sign and ship to them. My wife offered to hand deliver a couple of them for me since they were near her various errands that week. At one house, a confused mother answered the door. “I’m delivering Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras,” my wife said. From behind the mother came a young girl, “Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras! It’s here! It’s here! Can we read it now?” “I guess we’re going to read this now,” said the mother.

My heart is overwhelmed with satisfaction. Thank you to the director, Joe Bishara, for inviting me into this place. Thank you to the actors, designers, and crew who brought this show into being. Thank you to Columbus Makes Art and the Greater Columbus Arts Council for supporting my work.

And thank you to all the audience members who helped this show become a success.

Be excellent to each other.