Laurel A. Rockefeller's Blog, page 20
October 25, 2023
Who were the Renaissance Queens?
The Legendary Women of World History covers (to date) thirteen fascinating and historically influential women from antiquity through the turn of the 17th century (this will expand about 100 years in 2025 or 2026). These women represent the three main eras in European/Asian history: antiquity, European middle ages, and the Renaissance.
To date, four boxed sets group the first twelve books together. The only book not in one of these sets: book thirteen, “Eleanor of Aquitaine.”
The th...
October 20, 2023
Lady Jane Grey’s Rebellion. Excerpt from Queen Elizabeth Tudor: A Play in 4 Acts
Queen Elizabeth Tudor’s fascinating true story comes to the stage in this four act adaptation of “Queen Elizabeth Tudor: Journey to Gloriana. Filled with period music and narrated by my ancestor, Edward Drinker, this is a play is designed for educational and community theatre settings.
In this scene from Act II, Princess Elizabeth receives word concerning a rebellion against her sister, the newly crown Queen Mary I.
Act II, Scene II1554. January. Whitehall Palace. Princess ...
October 11, 2023
Hywel and Gruffydd reach Aberystwyth. Excerpt from Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd: A Play in Three Acts
Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd is famous in Wales as the national heroine – but barely known outside it. Her story of heroism against impossible odds inspires us all.
In 1113, Gwenllian’s father, King Gruffydd ap Cynan of Gwynedd, invited brothers Hywel and Gruffydd ap Rhys to his court following Hywel’s imprisonment at the hands of Arnulf fitz Roger of Montgomery and Gruffydd’s return from exile in Ireland. In this scene, the brothers arrive in the city of Aberystwyth on their long journey north...
October 6, 2023
The Battle of Actium. Excerpt from Cleopatra VII: a Play in Five Acts
The Battle of Actium was a major sea battle between the allied forces of Pharaoh Cleopatra VII and General Marcus Antonius against the full military might of Rome as lead by Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. If you are a fan of the 1963 film epic, you will find this scene extremely different from that version of Cleopatra’s story.
Find Cleopatra VII: A Play in Five Acts at Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, Barnes/Noble, and a retailer near you.
Act V, Scene II31 BCE, 2nd Septemb...
September 29, 2023
Biya and the Amur. Excerpt from The Arban and the Saman: A Play in Four Acts
The Arban and the Saman is the mystical tale of a Mongol officer who falls in love with a nuzhen shaman priestess during the Mongol conquest of her people.
In this scene, the Saman, Biya, encounters one of the Amur dragons about whom the religious teachings of her nuzhen culture have taught her to worship and revere.
Act III, Scene III1216. December. North China plain. NURGACI stands on the stage apron and narrates with a dark stage behind him.
NURGACI
The next morning ...
September 27, 2023
The Saman Meets the Arban. Excerpt from The Arban and the Saman: A Play in Four Acts
The Arban and the Saman is the mystical tale of a Mongol officer who falls in love with a nuzhen shaman priestess during the Mongol conquest of her people.
In this scene, the Saman, Biya, meets the Mongol Arban for the first time.
Act I, Scene II1211. Liaoning province. A nüzhen village near Mukden. Horses are heard thundering into town followed by the sounds of battle. BIYA and VILLAGERS ENTER center stage left from their homes and watch the battle as it spills onto stage. N...
Wu Zhao Arrives in the Imperial City. Excerpt from Empress Wu Zetian: A Play in Three Acts
Based on the biography “Empress Wu Zetian,” “Empress Wu Zetian: A Play in Three Acts” presents a rare opportunity for Asian actresses and actors, particularly on the community theater and educational theater level. For that reason, adapting this drama from the biography became a passion project, drawing upon my formal education in medieval and modern East Asian history.
Find Empress Wu Zetian: A Play in Three Acts at a retailer near you in both digital and paperback, including Amazon, A...
September 20, 2023
Confronting the Engineer. Excerpt from The Poisoned Ground and the Healer Consort: A Play in Three Acts
The Poisoned Ground is the second of the two prequel novellas from the Peers of Beinan series to be adapted for the stage. Adapted for the stage in 2017, “The Poisoned Ground and the Healer Consort” is an extended version of the tale and for a slightly more adult (Young Adult, New Adult) audience.
In this scene, Lady Healer Cara confronts the head engineer in charge of a dangerous mine poisoning the people in nearby Nan-li City.
Act III, Scene IVBE 5546, beinor 42. Shir-...
September 15, 2023
Operation Assassinate Cara. Excerpt from The Poisoned Ground and the Healer Consort: A Play in Three Acts
The Poisoned Ground is the second of the two prequel novellas from the Peers of Beinan series to be adapted for the stage. Adapted for the stage in 2017, “The Poisoned Ground and the Healer Consort” is an extended version of the tale and for a slightly more adult (Young Adult, New Adult) audience. In this scene, Lady Healer Cara faces a would-be assassin intent on stopping her investigations into the poisoned ground.
Act I, Scene IVLan-xing Ulen hotel. Dining room. CARA and R...
September 8, 2023
The Delegates Arrive. Excerpt from”Good-bye A672E92 Quintus: a Play in Two Acts”
Good-bye A672E92 Quintus opens the Peers of Beinan series with the tale of Brigid and Malvyn, two legendary figures from Beinarian history. The core of the story focuses on diplomacy: Brigid and Malvyn are part of a team sent to help houses Cashmarie and Xing-li resolve their feuds so that star craft can be built before the A672E92 sun goes nova. In this scene from Act I, the diplomats arrive on the Isle of Ben-Ar.
Act I, Scene IIOW 48770, beinor 16. Isle of Ben-Ar. Docking port...
