PMA Alum Joshua Bastian Cole-Kurz, Ph.D. ’22 had published an article in The Methuen Drama Book of Trans Plays Volume 3: Young Adult Edition called “The 'Ruhls' of Play: Mythical and Real Currents in Tyler Rocio Ecoña's Unfair Advantage.” Cole had previously contributed to The Methuen Drama Book of Trans Plays, Volume 2.
“My essay explores how Tyler Rocio Ecoña’s Unfair Advantage uses myth and fantasy together with documentary realism to illuminate the experiences of trans athletes navigating systems of exclusion in collegiate athletics,” said Cole. “Situating the play alongside Sarah Ruhl’s theatrical sensibility, I argue that Ecoña transforms contemporary debates about trans athletes into a broader meditation on resilience, advocacy, and the creation of inclusive spaces.”
One of the editors, Leanna Keyes, shared some insights about the three collections: “Our publisher asked us to put together Volume 2 after, basically, one single reader reached out to tell him how much Volume 1 meant to them. We then received so many excellent submissions for Volume 2 that I pitched Volume 3. One person’s heartfelt conversation had a massive impact on publishing 17 additional new plays. One earnest person can make a difference!
“We intentionally publish plays at all stages of development, from “has been reviewed in the New York Times” to “has had a single living room reading.” Almost all of the decision makers in our industry are cis, so we’re bypassing that particular stamp of approval to find juicy work that’s worth your time.
“In the editors’ intro to books 1 and 2, we talk about how we hope these anthologies help spur other publishers to create their own trans play compilations. We want more trans plays in more people’s hands, whether it’s our names on the cover or not!! If you’re an artist who has something to share with the world, or an editor who wants to bring together a fresh group of writers: start the conversation. You never know.”
Read more about The Methuen Drama Book of Trans Plays Volume 3: Young Adult Edition
Read more about Joshua Bastian Cole-Kurz
