Meet the Authors with Rhinebeck Writer’s Retreat (in person)

Rhinebeck Writers Retreat serves a crucial role for writers, in the long developmental process for their musicals. We give a writing team a weeklong residency in a private home just outside of Rhinebeck, where they live together for one week and do nothing but write their new musical. We ask for no money from Rhinebeck writers, take no share of future royalties, give each writer a stipend, and cover all costs of the retreat. Come meet the authors! Free and open to all. You’ll enjoy food, drinks, and conversation with the writers, learn more about the creation of their musical, and hear a few songs.

Email RSVP@rhinebeckwriters.org to let us know when you can join us. Once we hear from you, we’ll send more info about each event.

Discussion on: HERE AND THEIR

Sam O’Malley of Butte, Montana is happily engaged and running the family pizza parlor when a carefully guarded family secret is unearthed. Not only does Sam have an estranged aunt no one has ever mentioned, but it turns out she’s lesbian punk rock icon Vikki Vektor! While online stalking, er, research, Sam stumbles across the term “nonbinary” and digs deeper into a world that is simultaneously completely unknown and innately familiar. Is thirty-three “too old” to learn something new about yourself?

JASMINE JOSHUA (Book, additional Music & Lyrics | they/them)

Jasmine Joshua is a writer, producer, actor, and director.  Jasmine’s solo show BREAD CRUMBS premiered at ACT’s Solo Fest and was included in Ars Nova’s ANTFest in 2021. Their nonbinary musical HERE AND THEIR is currently being workshopped at the Seattle Rep. Jasmine graduated magna cum laude from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Jewish Studies. They also studied with the Larry Moss Studio and the Groundlings. Directing: Intiman; Reboot Theatre; Cafe Nordo; assistant director at 5th Ave; associate director at Village. On stage: SPT, Book-it, SMT. Jasmine is the Artistic Director of Reboot Theatre Company.

HEATHER RAGUSA (Music & Lyrics | she/her)

Heather Ragusa has worked as songwriter and recording artist for over a decade, including fronting Heather Rae and Tumbleweed and opening multiple times for punk legend Exene Cervenka. Heather’s freshman album “Slow Down Woman” inspired the queer country musical LET’S BE SILVER, another collaboration with writing partner Jasmine Joshua. Heather has roots in both musical theater and commercial music production, and has collaborated and performed with members of Social Distortion, Steppenwolf, The Abiders, The Pullmen, The Side Show Preachers, Whiskey Chimp, and more. Also, not to name drop, but she once rode on the back of Nick St. Nicholas’s motorcycle, stole beer from Hoobastank’s green room, and squatted in Glenn Danzig’s trailer. Heather raises chickens and children in Eagle Rock with her husband, Jon-Paul.