When reviewers are using your play and “Abbott Elementary” in the same sentence, it’s a good sign. Greg Burdick is an extremely talented teacher and playwright at Lake Gibson High School. His newest play, “Accommodation,” has struck a nerve with producers, actors and now audiences.
It tackles the human realities of trying to deliver what federal and state special needs education laws require, but do not fund or support. Here’s the synopsis:
A concerned parent, whose son is in danger of failing one of his classes, schedules a conference with Celeste Dawkins, her son's high school science teacher. When accused of not honoring the state and federal-mandated modifications required for her son's different learning style, Dawkins loses her cool in an explosive tirade, provoking a high-stakes lawsuit against the school district. With her job on the line, Dawkins raises questions about the inherent risks of making special considerations for students claiming to have unique needs in her classroom, when the real world outside its walls doesn't seem to care.
Greg and I talked about the play, public education, art, life — among other things — in an interview recorded before “Accommodation” opened on June 15. It’s a good conversation, indicative of what I want to do with this podcast. Here’s how Greg described the production itself:
The run was better than I could’ve hoped for. Five really favorable LA reviews, incredibly positive feedback from audiences, and the cast and crew were just really proud of it… it was an embarrassment of riches.
Next step: Broadway?
The PE1 podcast, ep. 1: Lakeland playwright Greg Burdick's public education drama lights up Hollywood