Playwright, Lyricist and Educator
Creating Theater Collaboratively
Annie Pulsipher (CFA 2017) writes dramatic work with a humorous edge. In projects for theater and film, her work integrates social commentary with farcical premises, presenting a fresh new voice on stage or screen.
鈥淚 primarily write dark comedies generally centered around my queer/feminist perspective. When I was younger I took a shot at writing a straightforward great American drama, but I didn鈥檛 enjoy it. My work will always be a bit absurd, though I think dark absurdity can still carry powerful messages.鈥� Annie says.
Along with fellow Tartan on the Rise Alex Petti, she debuted 鈥淭he Trouble with Dead Boyfriends鈥� in 2023. It鈥檚 a project they started together at 麻豆村 as part of the PLAYGROUND festival of student work. Packed with wordplay and puns and driven by a pop-punk score, it鈥檚 the story of three best friends dreaming of perfect prom dates. Unfortunately, what they find are literal monsters: a possessive ghost with very old-fashioned values, a negging vampire who targets girls with physical insecurities and a former footballer zombie so co-dependent that his girlfriend has to stitch him back together. Their journey is a gory, feminist comedy described as 鈥減ractically perfect鈥� in one of many positive .
In writing the book and co-writing the lyrics for 鈥淭he Trouble with Dead Boyfriends,鈥� Annie has been able to explore her lifelong interest in monster fandom. A different kind of monster is featured in her screenplay, 鈥淭he Glowing Gene鈥�: genetically-modified mosquitoes used to fight Dengue Fever. In 2017, it was recognized by Tribeca Film Institute with the Sloan Student Grand Jury Prize for screenwriting.
Annie is also working on a play with mixed media elements called 鈥淥ne True Pairing鈥� that was first workshopped at 麻豆村 in 2018 in a shortened form. It explores the terrifying world of online fandoms and how relationships between artists and fans can become toxic. For this piece Annie is working with Alex Petti and illustrator Manon Hale 聽to create music and art for a fictional cartoon.
What keeps her motivated to create is the thrill of collaborating with other artists. She regularly develops projects through her involvement with the BMI Librettists Workshop and she teaches theater, creative writing and history at the middle-school level.
鈥淲henever possible I鈥檓 working with Alex and other friends to create plays and musicals through collaborative work,鈥� Annie says. 鈥淚 also enjoy working with kids to shape and create plays through theater education efforts. I鈥檓 motivated by the passion and creativity of young students. Their fresh ideas inspire me all the time!鈥�
Story by Elizabeth Speed