This play traces the rise and fall of a disaffected Jersey-boy with a video camera, who, on a whim, decides to go to Los Angeles, and falls into directing porn videos. He quickly rises to the top of the field, and just as suddenly, sabotages his success. Based on a true story, Screwed! is a dark take on a classic American tale.
Carrie Louise Nutt's play Agua was a 2011 semi-finalist at the O’Neill. It was workshopped at The Lark and PTNJ, while Carrie was NNPN’s Emerging Playwright in Residence. Her play The Lamb was produced off-Broadway at 59E59 and was a finalist for the Heideman Award. She recently finished shooting the pilot for her web series Meg. Carrie is a member of The Dramatists Guild of America and The Playwrights Center. She holds an MFA in Playwriting from Rutgers, where she teaches Screenwriting.
1. What inspired your to write SCREWED?
I met a guy and this is a fictionalized version of his story. His story felt so quintessentially American to me. In this country, we are taught to have a dream and to believe that we can change the circumstances we are in. There's a certain amount of truth in that, but there are also a lot of people who dream big and fall short of that dream, and have to figure out how to pick up the pieces and to be okay with where life has taken them and how it turned out. Some never do figure it out. Disappointment can be crushing.
2. This play is based on a true story. Is this something you read about or did you know the person?
What's interesting is since having met the inspiration for this story, I have met a handful of other people who made the same journey, more or less, as him. They have become part of the story in different ways, so that the main character, Eli, is really an amalgamation of different people. He includes a little of myself, but please don't guess what parts.
3. How did you research for this play?
I definitely watched porn. I also conducted interviews with former-industry actors and producers. There are also great resources on legit cable networks like "Pornucopia."
4. Tell us about your web series "Meg"?
MEG is s a comedy web series about a super neurotic, mid-30s actress living in Brooklyn, trying really hard STILL to make her dream happen. All hell breaks loose for Meg when her best friend and roommate threatens to evict her if she doesn't make rent. It's about struggling hard to grow up when your dream might never make you any money.
5. If you were given a thousand dollars and you had to spend it on jewelry, purses or shoes, which would you choose and why?
I bet I could buy all of the above, and even have a little left over. Shoes are my favorite, but I would hate to be among the likes of Imelda Marcos. Antoinette and Marcos sort of live in the same lineage for me. $1,000 can go a long way or be one, big gluttonous purchase. Like a Humvee, which is also somehow emblematic of the America we are and not the America we imagine ourselves to be.
♦ Playwrights Theatre will present these readings free of charge, with an optional donation of $10
♦ A $25 dollar donation will get you a FORUM pass that covers all of the readings.
♦ A $250 donation will get you a rehearsal pass that allows access to all reading rehearsals.
♦ Reservations can be made online at or call (973) 514-1787 X10
Click here to reserve your seat to see SCREWED!
You can also find additional information on our website about the entire FORUM reading series.
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