BIOGRAPHY
Amelia Kennedy is a British-American actor and writer based in Brooklyn. Born and raised in London, she received her BFA from California Institute of the Arts and also received training from the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, United Kingdom and the Atlantic Acting School in Manhattan. Her first play ‘Nothing Good Happens After 3am’ premiered at the California Institute of the Arts’ New Works Festival during her first year at CalArts. Following that, Amelia was seen in ‘Performing History’ – a selection of original one person pieces directed by Roger Guenveur Smith. Amelia’s second play ‘Ask For Bukowski At The Counter’ was workshopped in New York in 2023 under the direction of Allen Macleod. In March 2024, Amelia was one of five playwrights chosen to have their work produced as a part of the EstroGenius Short Play Festival, where her play ‘I Keep Leaving Parties Early’ premiered directed by Heather Bildman. Her latest full-length play ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?’ will be presented at the Dramatist Guild Foundation in October 2024 produced by HARP Theatricals.
GALLERY
WHY MUST WE PRAY SCREAMING?
Amelia’s latest play ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming’ was produced by HARP THEATRICALS and debuted as a staged reading in October 2024 at The Dramatists Guild Foundation in Manhattan under the direction of Heather Bildman. The cast featured the talents of Siobhan Carroll, Conner Hefner, Ta'Lor Mosley, Jess Pace, Vivian Belosky, Jules Coffey, and Courtney Silber.
The cast of ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming’ in performance.
The cast of ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming’ in rehearsal.
Jess Pace and Ta’Lor Mosley in rehearsal for ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?
Siobhàn Carroll and Julia Corrin-Coffey in rehearsal for ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?’
Vivian Belosky and Siobhán Carroll in rehearsal for ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?’
Ta’Lor Mosley in Rehearsal for ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?’
I KEEP LEAVING PARTIES EARLY
Amelia’s short play ‘I Keep Leaving Parties Early’ was presented as part of the EstroGenius 10 Minute Play Series in March 2024 at Under St Marks. The play was directed by Heather Bildman and featured Siobhan Carroll, Julia Corrin-Coffey and Emily Cordes.
Watch the play here at 36:43!
Siobhan Carroll, Julia Corrin-Coffey and Emily Cordes in ‘I Keep Leaving Parties Early’.
Siobhan Carroll, Julia Corrin-Coffey and Emily Cordes in ‘I Keep Leaving Parties Early’.
Siobhan Carroll, Julia Corrin-Coffey and Emily Cordes in rehearsal for ‘I Keep Leaving Parties Early’.
News
HARP THEATRICALS TO PRODUCE STAGED READING OF ‘WHY MUST WE PRAY SCREAMING?’
In 2007 a British all-girls school is taken on a week-long trip to learn how to be good wives, being taught skills such as walking, holding conversations and applying modest makeup. Throughout this trip the girls tackle sexist restraints within educational institutions all while trying to understand what it exactly means to be a woman. ‘Why Must We Pray Screaming?’ is a play that highlights the cruelty young people can show each other as they work through the painful process of being forced to grow up before figuring out who they are.
Written by Amelia Kennedy and under the direction of Heather Bildman, the cast of Why Must We Pray Screaming? includes Siobhan Carroll as AVA, Conner Hefner as KAITLYN, Ta'Lor Mosley as SOPHIA, Jess Pace as ANNABEL, Vivian Belosky as MRS. SPENDLOVE, Jules Coffey as MOIRA, and Courtney Silber as SWING/STAGE DIRECTIONS.
Produced by HARP Theatricals, "Why Must We Pray Screaming?" will premiere at the Dramatists Guild Foundation on September 28th at 7PM and October 5th at 5PM and 7:30PM.
RSVP HERE:
https://www.harptheatricals.com/current-projects
‘I KEEP LEAVING PARTIES EARLY’ TO PREMIERE AT ESTROGENIUS SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL
Livia, 28, finds herself exasperated by the inconsistency of online dating and wonders if she’ll ever find someone to truly connect with. Cass, 16, discovers sexuality for the first time and all the painful emotions that come along with it. Faye at 42 reminisces about her creative youth and marvels at how boring even parties have become. In I Keep Leaving Parties Early, these three women speak out about disconnection, disappointment, and the fact that no matter what age, we are still discovering who we are.
The new play, written by Amelia Kennedy, features the talents of Siobhan Carroll, Emily Cordes and Julia Corrin-Coffey and is directed by Heather Bildman. Performances will take place at UNDER ST Marks on March 21st at 7pm and 9pm and March 23rd at 3pm.
AMELIA KENNEDY AND RICHARD BINDER HEADLINE INDUSTRY PRESENTATION OF ‘ASK FOR BUKOWSKI AT THE COUNTER’
After eight months of not seeing each other, Charles visits his daughter Willa at her shared apartment in Bushwick after learning about an emergency situation in her life. As the night unfolds, the father and daughter confront each other about their estranged relationship, and begin to find a never before seen recognition within each other.
ASK FOR BUKOWSKI AT THE COUNTER is a story about the aftermath of trauma, estranged parental relationships, and the painful yet cathartic realization that our parents are human too.
Written by Amelia Kennedy, the drama is directed by Allen MacLeod. The cast features Amelia Kennedy and Richard Binder. Poster art is by Tyrone Demery.
‘HER RESTING PLACE’ PREMIERES AT NEW YORK THEATRE FESTIVAL
The new play HER RESTING PLACE will make its New York City premiere as part of the New York Theater Festival Summerfest. Previously read as part of the 2020 Blank Theatre Living Room Series, the historical drama will be staged at Teatro Latea on the Lower East Side.
Near the end of the Great War, 18-year-old Clara Collins returns to her bourgeois London home after a "rest for her nerves" has not helped her cope with the loss of her mother. With her brother at war and her father distracting away his own grief, Clara acts out her psychic pain. When she begins psychoanalysis, what she wants to save her might push her over the edge instead.
The play is written by Ariella Carmell, directed by Heather Bildman, and features Amelia Kennedy, Kevin C. Carr, Tad D'Agostino, and Adler Hyatt.