Category: Theatre
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Burn It Down
I burned the haystack before it had a name — and wrote a play about it. There’s a viral dating method sweeping the internet right now called the “burned haystack.” The premise is elegant in its ruthlessness: if you’re looking for a needle in a haystack, the most efficient strategy isn’t to sort through every…
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“10 First Dates” — London Premiere, 4-Star Reviews, and 3 Award Nominations
I saw my own play for the first time on opening night. Watching something you wrote come to life on a stage while strangers laugh at exactly the right moments is surreal—and one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever experienced. I was genuinely proud of what this team had made. The Team Laura Shipler…
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Why I Wrote “10 First Dates”
I didn’t set out to write a comedy. I set out to survive a month. In 2015, my fifteen-year marriage ended. What followed were three years of confusion, grief, and the slow, unglamorous work of figuring out who I was without the person I’d built my life around. By 2018, I was ready — or…
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“10 First Dates” Comes to The Etcetera Theatre in London!
March 20–24, 2026 | Women’s Writers Festival I’m thrilled (and slightly terrified, which feels appropriate given the subject matter) to announce that my new play, Ten First Dates, will be produced by Gooper Dust Productions at the Etcetera Theatre from March 20–24, 2026, as part of the Women’s Writers Festival. Yes. It’s really happening. After…
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On the Eve of Inauguration Day and the Prophetic Lens of Charming Charlie
One year ago, during the London Playwrights’ #WrAP Challenge, I found myself crafting a dark, satirical play called Charming Charlie. At the time, it was my second play (Sanctuary being the first), and it felt like a necessary act of artistic resistance—a way to grapple with the terrifying possibility of Donald Trump returning to power.…
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From Collaboration to Exploitation: Lessons from My First Theatre Production
Theatre is a collaborative art form, where every role contributes to the final piece. But clear boundaries must exist—especially between the playwright and director. The playwright creates the script, the foundation of the production. Directors interpret and stage it, often suggesting edits, but the ultimate authority over the script remains with the playwright. Or at…
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Sanctuary at The Hope Theatre: A Journey of Impact and Gratitude
The experience of bringing Sanctuary to life at The Hope Theatre has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the first read-through to our opening night, this journey has been filled with challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable moments. And now, as we near the end of our run, I want to reflect on what this production has…
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Sanctuary Is More Relevant Than Ever in Today’s USA
As we inch closer to Sanctuary‘s debut at The Hope Theatre in London, the world outside the theatre feels increasingly like the one within it. What’s happening in the United States right now—the deepening divisions, the rise of extremist ideologies, the alarming resurgence of white supremacy and misogyny—makes Sanctuary a more urgent story than I…
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Help Bring Sanctuary to Life – Support Our Crowdfunding Campaign!
It’s so exciting to officially announce our Crowdfunder campaign for Sanctuary! As many of you know, producing an independent play is both an exhilarating and challenging journey. We’re bringing Sanctuary to the stage this November at The Hope Theatre, and I couldn’t be more pleased. However, to make this production everything it can be, we…
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Announcing the Premiere of Sanctuary at The Hope Theatre, London
I am beyond thrilled to announce that my play Sanctuary will be premiering at The Hope Theatre from 26th to 30th November 2024! This run marks an exciting milestone in Sanctuary‘s journey, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to bring this important story to life in one of London’s most intimate and…
Christine Rose 