Kentuck Derby a la Gregory/Dietz

(Community Matters) I didn’t realize Allison was such an enthusiast, and truth be told, it appears Steven is just as much. Enjoyed betting, yelling, visiting, drinking mint juleps and dining at Allison Gregory’s and Steven Dietz’s yesterday afternoon.

We doled back the cash from our dollar bets since no one predicted Mine That Bird. Nevertheless, good food & good company made for a great afternoon.

Steven Dietz, Hester Ferr & Colin Rowan

Our host, Steven Dietz is on UT’s faculty and is one of the most prolific & produced contemporary playwrights. His work is performed all over the country, and he’s received the prestigious PEN USA Award in Drama. Zach Scott recently produced his Shooting Star, earlier produced Doubt. Yankee Tavern currently being produced at the Florida Stage.

I’m embarrassed I don’t know enough about Hester Ferr, though I do know she makes a great mint julep. I know I sure like her and that she & Jim will be our dinner guests soon. Colin Rowan a longtime friend with exceptional personal values & priorities, and he’s a super communications expert and principal at I&O Communications (insight & outreach), an ally marketing and public affairs firm.

Allison Gregory, Jim Magnuson & Tim McCabe

Our hostess, Allison Gregory, is a celebrated playwright too. She’s especially known for her children’s plays and has also been widely produced. Jim Magnuson, of course, runs the Michener Center for Writers at UT and is a celebrated author and playwright as well. Tim McCabe my dear friend and surrogate date; he’s in charge of Trammel Crow’s Green Water Treatment Plant development downtown.

Allison & Steven

Hester Ferr, Barbara Chisholm & Allison

Barbara Chisholm known to everyone in Austin as one of our city’s best actors, food & book reviewer at the Austin Chronicle, theater producer and mom to Rosalind Faires.

Jim & Robert Faires

Robert (Austin Chronicle arts editor, actor & father to Rosalind Faires) and I had a long talk about the Creative Arts Alliance, his work on Create Austin and the importance of artists in politics and economic development. I love Robert’s big picture perspective.