A Blind Play

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Invited to a "Predator/Prey Summit," Lion, Gazelle, Polar Bear, Seal, Crocodile, and Pelican must decide if they are willing to make peace or tear one another to pieces.
Adapted from the short story published in Ferocious Quarterly, Best Laid Schemes was inspired by a work of art by illustrator Emory Allen and a poem by Robert Burns–the same poem from which John Steinbeck borrowed the title of Of Mice and Men. The editors of Ferocious Quarterly paired me with Emory for the issue “Be Prepared.” His illustration was so perfect, I wrote the first draft in one sitting. That was ten years ago. This version includes an alternate ending that is maybe a little less bleak.
“Best Laid Schemes” was written and directed by Michael Mau

STARRING
Sandie Keane as the Narrator,
Reagan Prumm as Lion
Brian Wiggins as Seal
Toni Poe as Gazelle
Misti Medders as Pelican
Ryan Gaiser as Crocodile
Kymberley Cochrane as Polar Bear
Aivi Dam as Mouse
Michael Mau as Man

To find out more about our cast, to read the original short stories, or donate to the show so we can make an unforgettable second season, visit us at ablindplaypodcast.com or on Instagram @mauhausproductions.

All episodes directed and edited by Michael Mau
Original Music by Trevor Tremaine
Podcast cover art created by Geneva Hicks

You can leave a note for a writer or cast member. Click here to text the show.

A rising musical star tries to keep a promise she made to her dying mentor and former lover. Inspired by the 2003 album This is Our North Dakota by No River City.Written and Directed by Michael MauSTARRING
Jennifer Keane as Corrine,

Todd Cattell as Charlie

Carrie Gibson as the narrator

WithRich Green as Corrine’s father

Ryan Goffman as the Corrine’s Manager

And Toni Poe as Charlie’s Nurse
Musical accompaniment on the song "Muse" provided by Christopher vanBrackle

Music for this episode was written Drew de Man and performed by No River City.
“Visit Me”
“Corrinne"

Geneva Hicks created the podcast cover art

Additional sound effects courtesy of Pixabay

Writer, comedian, and actor Nina Dicker helped produce this episode. Look for her memoir Tangerine Vagina where finer books are sold.

Special thanks to assistant casting director Annie Weaver who, as I say each week, has been with me every step of the way.

You can find out more about our cast and crew at ablindplaypodcast.com or on Instagram @mauhausproductions

Nest week on a Blind Play of Social Forces, Episode 14, Gina Engendered.

All episodes directed and edited by Michael Mau
Original Music by Trevor Tremaine
Podcast cover art created by Geneva Hicks

While all of my stories are born from some experience I have had, “Until Your Heart Releases You” was inspired by a nightmare following a miscarriage. It is a meditation on loss, fatherhood, and an overactive imagination. This one was a tough one to record.
Starring
Narrator--Michael MauElaine--Emaline MauMom--Chad Morgan

Music by Trevor Tremaine
Voices:
Aryeh Krause-Nadler
Ethan Herschenfeld
Irene Santiago
Ronald Woodhead
Danny Gavigan
Reagan Prum
Catherine Gaffney
Elizabeth Pan
Evan Judway
Bryce Townsend
Carrie Gibson
Jennifer Keane
Rich Greene

All episodes written and directed by Michael Mau
Theme music composed by Trevor Tremaine
Main title artwork by Geneva Hicks
To find out more about our cast, to read the original short stories, or donate to the show so we can make an unforgettable second season, visit us at ablindplaypodcast.com or on Instagram @mauhausproductions.

You can leave a note for a writer or cast member. Click here to text the show.

When triggered by a challenge from her peers, the daughter of a former military interrogator puts her father's inhumane lessons to the test, endangering her friends in order to protect herself.
“Little Bird” is adapted from the short story of the same name which won the Black Warrior Review Fiction Contest in 2014. I wrote the first draft of the story in grad school in a class titled The Literature of War. The title comes from an Army cadence call in which the speaker lures a beautiful bird to the window sill and kills it. I was inspired by the grotesque and inhumane images from Abu Ghraib prison. I couldn’t help imagining those guards who treated others in such a despicable manner going home to their own families.
The story has been adapted into a staged reading as well as a screenplay. This episode contains profanity and adult situations as well as suggestions of abuse. It is intended for listeners over the age of 13.

A little bird with a yellow bill
Was sittin' on my window sill
I lured her in with a piece of bread
And then I smashed her little head
—Army cadence call

Narrator: Lily Sanders
Soldier: Kai McAlvin
Sir: Tim Knudson
Sam: Ryan Goffman
Eddie: Eddie Philpot
Marco: Marco Marx
Sound effects courtesy of Pixabay.
Special thanks to Annie Weaver, Shenandoah Evans, and Travis Maguire.

All episodes directed and edited by Michael Mau
Original Music by Trevor Tremaine
Podcast cover art created by Geneva Hicks

You can leave a note for a writer or cast member. Click here to text the show.

Earlier this year, I recorded the audiobook for Wes Blake’s debut novel, Pineville Trace. I’ve narrated several audiobooks, but this one was special for me. Wes and I met in grad school at the Bluegrass Writers Studio in 2014. We taught in the same school district in Jessamine County Kentucky. And we shared a few drinks and some adventures in Lisbon.

So when he asked me to narrate his novel, I immediately asked, "How much will you pay me?"

Critics have praised Pineville Trace; readers adore it:

--This was an utterly compelling read.

--Pineville Trace is a quiet odyssey, an unexpectedly meditative journey of a minor outlaw.

--Good first book

--The cat is my favorite, and not just because I am a super-fulfilled old cat lady.

--... an achingly beautiful story with a complex character at it center.

--... beautifully read by Michael Mau.

And I sure loved recording it. To hear the whole novel, you’ll have to buy it yourself, but I wanted to share a couple of chapters just to tease you.

So here, for your listening enjoyment, is Pineville Trace by Wes Blake.

If you want to hear more, or even read the book yourself, you can go to https://wesblake.com/ . There you can read interviews with Wes, find out where he’ll be speaking, and look at his face, which doctors say is too small for his head.

All episodes directed and edited by Michael Mau
Original Music by Trevor Tremaine
Podcast cover art created by Geneva Hicks