Saviana Stanescu – författare

Dramatic Comedy / 2m, 2f, 2 either m or f A dark comedy about a clown from the "unhappiest country in the world", Moldova, who pins her hopes on a US work visa. Chased by Homeland Security, a deportation letter deflates Nadia's enthusiasm and a pair of spike heels might be all it takes to burst her American Dream (or turn it into a nightmare...). New York City, with its special energy, seems like the perfect solution for her problems, but is it really? Luckily, Nadia is not alone in her journey: A Russian illegal immigrant, Borat, her fellow clown, tries to find his own path in the Big Apple, by working as a cab driver. Lupita, her Latina roommate, an exotic dancer and wanna-be actress, shows Nadia the tough side of the city. Meanwhile, Bob, an American washed-up musician finds himself in the relationship with the Moldovan girl. Aliens with Extraordinary Skills is based on true stories of immigration explored and fictionalized by a playwright who tries to understand her own story. The moral of the "fable" might be that - regardless our passport and native language - we are all "aliens" in search for love, understanding and a place to call "home"."Saviana Stanescu's Aliens With Extraordinary Skills is an enchanting piece of theater...Ms. Stanescu's dialogue is flawlessly observant...the energy people talk about as New York's essence comes from all those newcomers' hopes and dreams in the air. Aliens pays tribute to that energy and at the same time radiates tons of its own." -The New York Times "Saviana Stanescu introduces us to two remarkable, resilient young women; it's gratifying to find a smart and intriguing play like this one, not only created by females but also focused on a pair of memorable heroines...Stanescu takes the audience into territory that will be uncharted for most of them: the immigrant experience is presented here with candor and without a shred of romanticism." - Martin Denton, www.nytheatre.com "A native Romanian, [Stanescu's] writing in English has more scrupulous care, more pure attention than someone to the grammar born. Aliens with Extraordinary Skills may feel just like a lark-there's understated silliness, a set of adorable strugglers and just the right thread of romance. But it's also a triumph of listening." -Time Out "Whatever your stance on immigration, Stanescu's upbeat mood overwrites it...In a craigslist conversation, spoken smiley faces and all, we are all equal, and dressed up like a hamburger or soda, we are meant to be together, for we are all--especially this play--extraordinary." - Kul - That Sounds Cool

Various Authors One of Manhattan's most established play festivals, the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival fosters the work of emerging writers, giving them the exposure of publication and representation. The festival resulting in this collection was held July 13th-18th, 2010 at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City. From the initial pool of over 850 submissions, the Final Forty plays were chosen to be performed over a period of one week. A panel of judges comprised of celebrity playwrights, theatrical agents and artistic directors nominated one or more of each evening's plays as finalists. The final round was then held on the last day of the festival. Out of these plays, six winners listed below were chosen by Samuel French, Inc. to receive publication and licensing contracts. Winning plays and playwrights for this collection include: Skin Deep by Mary Lynn Dobson The Pigskin by Gabriel Jason Dean White Embers by Saviana Stanescu The Bear (A Tragedy) by EJC Calvert Dance Lessons by Josh Koenigsberg The Mud is Thicker in Mississippi by Dennis A. Allen II