BIOGRAPHY

Amelia Kennedy is a British-American playwright based in Brooklyn, NY. Born and raised in London, she received her BFA from California Institute of the Arts. Her first play ‘Nothing Good Happens After 3am’ premiered at the California Institute of the Arts’ New Works Festival during her first year at CalArts. Following that, Amelia’s writing was seen in ‘Performing History’ – a selection of original one person pieces directed by Roger Guenveur Smith. Amelia’s second play ‘Ask For Bukowski At The Counter’ was workshopped in New York in 2023 under the direction of Allen MacLeod. Following that, ‘I Keep Leaving Parties Early’ has been developed and presented at The EstroGenius Short Play Festival and The Tank and most recently, Concord Theatricals 50th Annual Off Off Broadway Festival, as one of thirty plays selected to be performed. Amelia’s full-length play ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?’ was presented at the Dramatist Guild Foundation in October 2024 under the direction of Heather Bildman, produced by HARP Theatricals, and subsequently was further developed as a part of Re/Venue at Bechdel Project in March 2025 (artistic director: Meghan Finn). Amelia’s most recent play ‘Rough Poetry’ will perform at The Rat in October 2025, produced by HARP Theatricals and directed by Allen MacLeod.

IG: @ameliackennedy

PLAYS

I KEEP LEAVING PARTIES EARLY

How much of ourselves will we sacrifice in order to find connection? Three women at different stages in life discuss dissatisfaction, insecurity and love.

This ten minute play initially premiered at The EstroGenius Short Play Festival at Under St Marks Theatre. Since then, it has taken to the stage at The Tank, and most recently - Concord Theatricals 50th Annual Off Off Broadway Festival as one of thirty plays chosen to be performed at Classic Stage Company.

WHY MUST WE PRAY SCREAMING?

In 2007 a British all-girls school is taken on a week-long trip to learn how to be good wives, being taught skills such as walking, holding conversations and applying modest makeup. Throughout this trip the girls tackle sexist restraints within educational institutions all while trying to understand what it exactly means to be a woman. ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?’ is a play that highlights the cruelty young people can show each other as they work through the painful process of being forced to grow up before figuring out who they are.

This one hundred minute long one act play​ was produced as a developmental staged reading by HARP Theatricals and was initially performed at The Dramatists Guild Foundation. Later, the play was selected to perform at The Bechdel Project as a part of the series Re/Venue (artistic director Meghan Finn).

News

AMELIA KENNEDY CHOSEN TO BE A PART OF CONCORD THEATRICALS 50TH ANNUAL OFF OFF BROADWAY FESTIVAL

Amelia is truly thrilled to be one of thirty playwrights chosen to showcase their work as part of Concord Theatricals Off Off Broadway Festival. Her play ‘I Keep Leaving Parties Early’ will perform on July 29th at 8pm at The Lynn F. Angelson Theatre under the direction of Heather Bildman and produced by HARP Theatricals Get tickets below:

https://concordtheatricals.ludus.com/show_page.php?show_id=200484802

HARP THEATRICALS TO PRODUCE STAGED READING OF ‘WHY MUST WE PRAY SCREAMING?’

In 2007 a British all-girls school is taken on a week-long trip to learn how to be good wives, being taught skills such as walking, holding conversations and applying modest makeup. Throughout this trip the girls tackle sexist restraints within educational institutions all while trying to understand what it exactly means to be a woman. ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?’ is a play that highlights the cruelty young people can show each other as they work through the painful process of being forced to grow up before figuring out who they are.​

Written by Amelia Kennedy and under the direction of Heather Bildman, the cast of Why Must We Pray Screaming? includes Siobhan Carroll as AVA,  Conner Hefner as KAITLYN, Ta'Lor Mosley as SOPHIA, Jess Pace as ANNABEL, Vivian Belosky as MRS. SPENDLOVE, Jules Coffey as MOIRA, and Courtney Silber as SWING/STAGE DIRECTIONS. ​

Produced by HARP Theatricals, "Why Must We Pray Screaming?" will premiere at the Dramatists Guild Foundation on September 28th at 7PM and October 5th at 5PM and 7:30PM.

RSVP HERE:

https://www.harptheatricals.com/current-projects

‘I KEEP LEAVING PARTIES EARLY’ TO PREMIERE AT ESTROGENIUS SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL

Livia, 28, finds herself exasperated by the inconsistency of online dating and wonders if she’ll ever find someone to truly connect with. Cass, 16, discovers sexuality for the first time and all the painful emotions that come along with it. Faye at 42 reminisces about her creative youth and marvels at how boring even parties have become. In I Keep Leaving Parties Early, these three women speak out about disconnection, disappointment, and the fact that no matter what age, we are still discovering who we are.

The new play, written by Amelia Kennedy, features the talents of Siobhan Carroll, Emily Cordes and Julia Corrin-Coffey and is directed by Heather Bildman. Performances will take place at UNDER ST Marks on March 21st at 7pm and 9pm and March 23rd at 3pm.

 

AMELIA KENNEDY AND RICHARD BINDER HEADLINE INDUSTRY PRESENTATION OF ‘ASK FOR BUKOWSKI AT THE COUNTER’

After eight months of not seeing each other, Charles visits his daughter Willa at her shared apartment in Bushwick after learning about an emergency situation in her life. As the night unfolds, the father and daughter confront each other about their estranged relationship, and begin to find a never before seen recognition within each other.

ASK FOR BUKOWSKI AT THE COUNTER is a story about the aftermath of trauma, estranged parental relationships, and the painful yet cathartic realization that our parents are human too.

Written by Amelia Kennedy, the drama is directed by Allen MacLeod. The cast features Amelia Kennedy and Richard Binder. Poster art is by Tyrone Demery.

 

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