Meet the Writers of Rhinebeck Writers Retreat

Come meet one of the writing teams selected from 210 applications to the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. You’ll enjoy food and drinks, and the writers will talk about the musical they are writing that week and share a few songs. It’s free and open to all.

Email RSVP@rhinebeckwriters.org to reserve your spot.

About Rhinebeck Writers Retreat

This summer Rhinebeck Writers Retreat is supporting 9 musical theatre writing teams who are developing 9 new musicals – a total of 21 writers. Each group receives a private fully funded weeklong residency in a home in Pine Plains, where they focus solely on writing.  All their costs are covered, thanks to generous donors including the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, The ASCAP Foundation, and hundreds of individuals.  Musicals developed in Rhinebeck have had full productions at The Public Theatre (NY), Playwrights Horizons (NY), La Jolla Playhouse (CA), Philadelphia Theater Center (PA), London’s West End, and dozens of professional theatres across the U.S. Visit their website to learn more!

WE’VE BATTLED MONSTERS BEFORE

By Justin Huertas and Rheanna Atendido,

Synopsis

When you’re the youngest sibling in a family of secret warriors who for generations have protected Seattle from monsters and demons, living up to your Lola’s expectations is, in a word, daunting. Adarna’s mistakes are cute at first, but when they begin to cost her family more than she ever imagined, she must decide what she would sacrifice to save them. Loosely adapted from the 16th-century Filipino epic poem Ibong Adarna, playwright Justin Huertas returns to his “Lizard Boy” roots with a sweet and intimate actor-musician musical adventure.

Justin Huertas (Book, Music & Lyrics | he/him)

Justin Huertas (he/him) is an award-winning playwright, composer, lyricist, and actor best known for his original musical LIZARD BOY (Seattle Rep, Diversionary Theatre, NAMT Festival, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Hope Mill Theatre Manchester, Edinburgh Fringe, OCR streaming everywhere). His performance as Trevor has earned him regional theatre awards in Seattle, San Diego, and SF/Bay Area. He and Steven Tran composed original music for the podcast MARVEL’S SQUIRREL GIRL: THE UNBEATABLE RADIO SHOW! Other works include THE MORTIFICATION OF FOVEA MUNSON based on Mary Winn Heider’s novel (The Kennedy Center), LYDIA & THE TROLL co-created and directed by Ameenah Kaplan (Seattle Rep), and WE’VE BATTLED MONSTERS BEFORE with Rheanna Atendido (ArtsWest).

Rheanna Atendido (Dramaturg |she/her)

Rheanna Atendido (she/her) is a Filipino-American singer-songwriter and theatre artist bouncing between Seattle and New York. Playwright/composer credits include BREAKUP BENCH, CULTURAL ESSAY, UNSTABLE CONNECTION, INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN (Book-It Repertory), SONYA'S CHICKENS (The 5th Avenue), MARY AND VIC GET AN ELECTRIC KICK (ArtsWest) and PABITIN (co-commissioned by The 5th Avenue & Village Theatre).

Email RSVP@rhinebeckwriters.org to reserve your spot.