Playwright Interview
Get to know...
Megan Rivkin,
author of
DO YOU PARTY?
Name: Megan Rivkin
Pronouns: she/her
Megan Rivkin is a playwright and librettist who splits her time between New York and Northern Michigan. She is currently writing the book for new musicals: Caleb Needs A Kidney (with composer/lyricist Caleb Martin-Rosenthal), an adaptation of The Odyssey (with composer/lyricist Jacob Ben-Shmuel), and an untitled cult musical with Evan Rees and Ed Horan for Stairwell Theatre Company.
Past productions include Neighbor Play (Stage Time), Bar Play (222 Speakeasy, Providence Fringe), and Timmy (Columbia). An avid collaborator, Megan also produces outdoor, immersive, and audio projects through Wednesday Nights Company, where she serves as lead producer. Megan is the Writer-In-Residence at Interlochen Arts Academy, where she teaches Dramatic Writing. She holds an MFA in Playwriting from Columbia University (2024) and is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop (Bookwriting).
Q&A With
Megan Rivkin
We asked Megan a few questions about her show (DO YOU PARTY?), her work as a writer, and about her history. Check out the show + meet our amazing cast at our fourth annual First Flight Festival, opening Thursday June 25!
Can you share a bit about your show?
College freshman Abby thinks she’s going out to eat with a friend from class and her sister. This is exciting for Abby, who is desperate for a community. It quickly becomes clear that she may only be there as a potential Mary Kay recruit.
Where are you from?
Lincolnshire, IL
When did you start writing?
I got really into writing plays during the Trinity/La MaMa program my junior year of college. I took a class with playwright Bryan Quick, an amazing teacher, who made me want to pursue playwriting and teaching.
Is there one thing or theme that keeps coming up in your work?
Scams :)
What writing do you like to read or watch? Any particular influences on your work (or recommendations for other emerging artists)?
I'm influenced by many playwrights including Amy Herzog, Diana Son, Sarah Ruhl, and Will Eno, scam/cult content, and the show Search Party.
What was the first play you ever saw, or best play that you’ve ever seen?
First was Wizard of Oz :)
Anything to promote / what are you working on now / anything coming up?
I’m working on a new musical called Caleb Needs A Kidney with my friend Caleb Martin-Rosenthal, about a group of friends from college (now in their late 20s) competing to donate a kidney to their friend Caleb in hopes of the moral redemption it would bring to their lives. More to come soon!