Welcome to Wray's Plays
If you love theater, the way it makes you laugh and cry, gives you chills, makes you shudder, hold your breath, scratch your head and say -
"Wow, I didn't know that, never looked at things that way before . . . hmm, maybe I should _________"
That's why P. A. Wray loves theater, why she writes these plays.
A Virginia Playwright
Hello, I'm P. A. Wray
I've been learning the craft and writing plays
for over 20 years
Some are complete, published, been produced multiple times
Most are historically-based works in progress
All address the human condition -
personal flaws and strengths
societal failures and triumphs
the way we
harm, heal, move forward
production news 2023
The Truth Be Told a full length drama, the second in Wray's River of Struggle Plays series, will be presented as an on-its-feet staged reading at Zeiders American Dream Theatre in their 2023 Proteus Festival. The play is historical-based with fictional elements that ring true. The love story will warm hearts, and the turbulance of those times will shock some viewers with how they resemble today.
We're excited to announce, Nat's Last Struggle will be perfomed in Malawi, Africa. Produced by Mbona Arts at MADSOC THEATRE in Lilongwe, the capital city. Dates are Oct 13 and Oct 14, 2023. Break a leg Mbona Arts!! Can't wait to see pictures and any reviews!!
2 New Versions of Our most Produced play Are getting ready for release
The Latest Version of Nat Turner's Story is nearing its final stage of development.
Where earlier versions focused on Nat's mind and the evolution of his thoughts, this version explores his heart and feelings. We see the son with his mother, the man with his wife and son, with the whites, and his people as they struggle with enslavement and abuse. No longer a monolog this version should be more acc
We're excited to announce that Nat's Last Struggle is now a taped Radio Show with the engaging and powerful voice of Brad Paul Breckenridge as Nat Turner. Brad played the role of Nat in Nat Turner's Last Struggle: Finding His Way Home at the 2019 Virginia Theater Association Conference in Norfolk, Va. In 2022, when JuneteenthVA contacted Wray about producing a radio show version to present On Air
For those interested in my Nat Turner Plays, which have been called "transformative" - I must give credit not only to Nat Turner and his fascinating life's story, but to the actors who bring that story to life. In A Chat Nat you will see what I mean. Here's the link to view (7) Nat Turner Stage Drama - 5 Actors Talk About Playing the Role - YouTube
A Rave Review in Oregon
Nat Turner's Last Struggle
Very Little Theater - one of the oldest Commuity Theaters in this country, produced this piece as Readers Theater and garnered a rave review. "
"Without divulging too much of the meat of the play, I found myself entirely on Nat’s side as he wrapped up his self-defense. The story of Nat Turner has always struck a chord with me, even as a dry academic matter. Seeing it smartly dramatized was a singular experience in my American life."
"It’s a remarkable work, one I would unhesitatingly watch again, and one I am sad to say, you have missed for the moment.." - by Kelly Oristano, Eugene Scene, Nov 14, 2022
2022: A BLOG POST ABOUT US
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READ ALL ABOUT IT!!
Twists And Turns Hidden: Stories Of American Racial Intersection
A Blog in Publishing Company,
Have Scripts Blue Moon Plays by Jean Hughes Klein
"These stories of intersectionality are what define us, tell us who we were, and suggest who we should be. With that in mind, I am looking to find those stories that have the touch of legend, of the extraordinary, of the memorable but most importantly, of the commonplace, in re-defining the American Dream." Klein https://havescripts.com/twists-and-turns/ for the entire blog
The Story Of The White Convertible
"The story of Wray’s search for Nat Turner had its origins in her youth. When she was sixteen, her grandmother, whose maiden name was Turner, asked Wray to drive her to Southampton County for a Turner family event. Wray immediately said yes, partly because her grandmother had just purchased a cool new white Impala Convertible with a baby-blue interior. The two reportedly tied on bandanas, put their sunglasses on, and headed for the country with the radio blaring." Klein
The Legacy Of Missy Whitehead
As Wray explored her past, she discovered that Missie Whitehead was her third-great aunt. " I may not share Nat’s blood, but the blood of my family members was spilled in his rebellion, as was Nat’s after he was caught — and both are still in the soil there . . . the bodies of my family were mishandled, as was Nat’s by some of the same people — and their bones are still buried in the ground somewhere there . . . What a painful legacy we two share." Wray
2022: our First college production
Nat Turner's Last Struggle: Finding His Way Home
Metropolitan Community College Longview’s
Black History Month's Show Feb 24-26, 2022
in the MCC Longview Cultural Arts Center Theatre
The Amazing Set and Young Cast
Words from the Director of Theater at MCC
Words from the Director of Theater at MCC
"Opening night of NAT TURNER'S LAST STRUGGLE, went great. With the snow, I thought we would have few attend, but I was pleasantly surprised. We were just at 80% capacity and the show received a great reception from the audience. Come out and see this powerful production. Keith Townsend, Director, Feb 24, 2022
Words from the Director of Theater at MCC
Words from the Director of Theater at MCC
Words from the Director of Theater at MCC
"The audience response was awesome. This was a great production opportunity for our students. It was such a great experience for our program. The audience loved it. Second night audiences had the same positive response to the show. The script is a winner." Keith Townsend, Director, Feb 25, 2022.
2021 Recap: Wray's plays went national
Virginia Stage Company
We Went International with Nat's Last Struggle
Conejo Players Theatre
"Fantastic, a new perspective on Nat Turner, so appropriate, and dynamic – I applaud the writer and performance, I think it needs a wider audience"
Bruce Williams, African American Cultural Center, Virginia Beach, Va.
"So moving. I am undone. It needs to be seen in Germany.
"Suzanne Dowaliby, performing artist in Saarbrucken, Germany
Conejo Players Theatre
We Went International with Nat's Last Struggle
Conejo Players Theatre
"The play was awesome and very informative. The schools don't teach or teach enough about Nat Turner and I wish that there was or can be a dvd on the play. Just in case you missed something while you were watching the play, to have on hand to watch or just to start a discussion on the play. The crew did an excellent job!!!!"
Stacie Torrence
We Went International with Nat's Last Struggle
We Went International with Nat's Last Struggle
We Went International with Nat's Last Struggle
This full length, one act-play about Nat Turner, leader of the Slave Rebellion in Southampton, County, Va., went international and professional with virtual productions by Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk, Virginia in 2020. In 2021 two theaters in California live-streamed productions - all bringing accolades and new fans from across the country and beyond!!