Throughline Steel City Spotlight 2019

Throughline's Steel City Spotlight is a series of staged readings featuring an emerging female playwright, a playwright of color, and/or a playwright from the LGBTQ+ community. The evening features light refreshments, raffles, and a short talkback with the playwright after the reading!

2019's playwright Spotlight is TJ Parker-Young, and we are proud to be presenting:

Dark Skinned Pavement

Ever since an accident that limited B.J.'s ability to work, Harpo has been putting food on the table by watching other people's children. After an incident at Harpo's in-home daycare threatens her business, B.J.'s cousin, Shay, introduces them to Dwaylan - a man that can keep Harpo in business. What Dwaylan wants in return might be more than Harpo is willing to give, as the memory of the one child she couldn't protect comes crashing back into their lives.

Dark Skinned Pavement is suitable for ages 18 and up.

Our Playwright: TJ Parker-Young is a Texas born playwright and theatre administrator who also serves as co-representative for the Dramatists Guild – Pittsburgh region. He has been a teaching artist with Quantum Theatre and City Theatre where he is also a dramaturge for their Young Playwrights Festival. He is also the NPP Vice-Chair for Region 2 of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and a board member of the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. His plays include NO. 6 (2017 Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award Winner – KCACTF, published by Samuel French), Lyon’s Den (2018 Harold and Mimi Steinberg Distinguished Play Winner), Ruby’s Baby Blue (2016 John Cable Short Play Regional Selection- KCACTF), Hell is Empty (2017 John Cable Short Play Regional Selection – KCACTF), Hallmark (TETA Playfest 10-minute Winner), Cupid, and The Frontlines. His 10 minute plays are : Before the Fire (Fade to Black 2018 Festival Selection), Effie, Rock the Cradle, Lilies, and Stuffed. He is the recipient of the 2017 Ken Ludwig Playwriting Scholarship. He has had productions at Texas State University as part of their New Works Festival, Director/Designer Collaboration Project, and as part of their 2016-2017 Main Stage Season. He received his MFA in Dramatic Writing from Texas State University. He is also the NPP Vice-Chair for Region 2 of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.