Two Plays by Matt Cogswell: A Workshop Presentation

On February 14-15, 2020, The Forge Theater Lab presented the result of a workshop of two plays by Matt Cogswell.

A script-in-hand presentation of Floating on Hope Ave was performed by Kevin Boudreau, Daniel Hankins, Simon Jensen-Fellows, Chris Merritt, Brett Rochford, and Michael Walker. Kathleen O'Connor directed and moderated the talkback session.

Matt then performed his solo play in progress One Angry Gay Man. This workshop was presented as part of the Draft House 2020 series, made possible by a generous donation from sponsor Andy Bayiates.

Graphic designed by Monique Guthrie.

MATT COGSWELL is a founding member of The Forge Theater Lab and served on its Board of Directors for their first season. His very short play “Nothing Less” was part of its kickoff event, Generations, where he also directed “Jump Starter.” He directed and acted in their staged reading of Samantha deManbey's Shadows in the Cave. He has acted at Fitchburg State University in such productions as Romeo and Juliet (Capulet), The Boys Next Door (Jack Palmer), and two productions of Twelve Angry Jurors (Jurors Twelve, Two). Other acting highlights include The Boys Next Door (Norman Bulansky), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Milt Fields), Company (David), Shrek the Musical (Shrek), Ordinary People (Cal Jarrett) and Our Town (Howie Newsome). In the past decade, he has also worked as an original cast member with four additional new productions from other writers, as well as acted in student films and as a featured extra on Portlandia. He works as an adjunct faculty member, teaching acting, public speaking, and writing at Quinsigamond Community College, Mount Wachusett Community College, and Fitchburg State University, where he earned his master’s degree in English in 2007. Additional theatrical works available for performance and production credits can be viewed at mattcogswell.org.

Photographs above by Brittany Messuri Photography unless otherwise noted.