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.
“I 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’t enjoy it. My work will always be a bit absurd, though I think dark absurdity can still carry powerful messages.” Annie says.
Along with fellow Tartan on the Rise Alex Petti, she debuted “The Trouble with Dead Boyfriends” in 2023. It’s a project they started together at CMU as part of the PLAYGROUND festival of student work. Packed with wordplay and puns and driven by a pop-punk score, it’s 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 “practically perfect” in one of many positive reviews of its off-Broadway debut.
In writing the book and co-writing the lyrics for “The Trouble with Dead Boyfriends,” Annie has been able to explore her lifelong interest in monster fandom. A different kind of monster is featured in her screenplay, “The Glowing Gene”: 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 “One True Pairing” that was first workshopped at CMU 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 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.
“Whenever possible I’m working with Alex and other friends to create plays and musicals through collaborative work,” Annie says. “I also enjoy working with kids to shape and create plays through theater education efforts. I’m motivated by the passion and creativity of young students. Their fresh ideas inspire me all the time!”
Story by Elizabeth Speed