"Enemies" Receives National Attention

Local playwright receives national attention as “Enemies” surpasses almost 700 other entries, being chosen as a semi-final candidate for consideration in the July 2006 Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference in Waterford, CT.

"The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center has a more than 40 year history in discovering and developing new work for the American theater. Almost every original and exciting new voice in the American theater has come to the O'Neill at some point in his or her career, including Edward Albee, Lee Blessing, Kia Corthran, John Guare, Bill Irwin, Melanie Marnich, Keith Reddin, John Patrick Shanley, and, of course, the late August Wilson and our much loved Wendy Wasserstein. To be a semi-finalist is to be in very good company."

In November of 2005, Joseph Horst’s theatrical masterpiece, and Masters Thesis, “Enemies” was premiered in Greenville, North Carolina with a live reading by many talented and well renowned area theatrical talents. Receiving rave reviews from the audience and your very own Axis of Stevil, “Enemies” proved to be a well-written, well-performed composition of the troubled life of a burnt out beat cop.

Eight to Ten plays will be chosen in mid-March to be worked on in the Conference in July. If "Enemies" is chosen, Joe will be in residence in Connecticut from June 30th until July 31st. When readings of the play are held at the Conference, agents from New York and other major theatre markets will attend; offering “Enemies” a chance of being performed in New York or other markets as agents pick it up.

When asked about the news, Joe said,

“Obviously, I am very excited about the recognition of my work. Thanks to everyone for all their support and kind words throughout the creation of the play and including the reading that was held in November of 2005. I will keep everyone apprised of what happens; however, if this is as far as it goes, it more than surpasses where I thought my play might go.”

Joe teaches English at East Carolina University and has many years of experience in Theatre performance and production.

More information on the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference