A Lesson in Swimming
Written and performed by Michael Shutt
Directed and dramaturgy by Diana Wyenn
Sound design, music, and engineering by John Zalewski
Graphic by Jagriti Khirwar
Produced by Plain Wood Productions
Writer/performer Michael Shutt is a three-time stroke survivor. This is his story. Hilarious and poignant, A Lesson in Swimming is a five-part radio play that takes you inside his brain as it “breaks” and invites you to experience how deep the cracks really go.
Chapter 1: Something Cracks
Chapter 2: What’s Your Emergency?
Chapter 3: Sink or Swim
Chapter 4: The Hour Of Our Death
Chapter 5: A Life Worth Living
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This radio play has been supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Arts and Disability Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Note: Any findings, opinions, or conclusions contained herein are not necessarily those of the California Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Arts and Disability Center.
A Lesson in Swimming was initially developed in Terrie Silverman’s Creative Rites Masterclass and received a workshop production at Moving Arts with director and dramaturg Diana Wyenn.
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Production History
January 2021
Adapted, recorded and released as a 5-part radio play
May 2020
World premiere delayed due to pandemic
August 26–September 5, 2019
Workshop production presented by Moving Arts at Atwater Village Theater
May 4, 2019
Staged reading presented by Moving Arts at Harmony Toluca Lake