Author: Robert Kirkendall

Writer of fiction and drama, originally from San Jose, California, and currently living in Santa Cruz for the past two plus decades.  My style is heightened realism, and my work is focused is on the Bay Area with universal themes.  There are many reasons why I write, but the main one is enjoyment.  In 2016 I began producing and directing some of my short plays at Community Television of Santa Cruz as live broadcasts.  My more recent works are the novel Redwood Summer (a story of 1990 San Jose) and the two act stage play Dermalogic which received a Zoom performance hosted by Theater for the New City's "On the Air" series.  Recently I helped to write a screenplay with filmmaker Hilary Davidson called TWENTY for Nineteen85Films, and I've completed a screenplay about a young man's final days in Santa Cruz before he escapes that I've titled Leaving Paradise (it's gained some notice on the Film Freeway).  In April 2022 my one act comedy Funhouse was performed live by Manhattan Repertory Theatre in New York, and the following September my two act play Electric Serenade was part of Theater for the New City's Dream Up Festival in NYC's Lower East Village. Click links on menu to peruse my writings.

Breaking Through The Writing Logjam

I've been working on a new two act stage play off and on for the last three and a half years, mostly off, but over the past few months I've been giving it more attention. About a month or two ago I had about 10 to 15 minutes of stage time written with pen and … Continue reading Breaking Through The Writing Logjam

Tempus Non Expectandum

(Short story about reacting to change that can't be stopped. 1,170 words.) “Look, I wish I could help you,” the clerk pleaded as he leaned forward on his desk at the planning department, “but it’s out of my hands.” “Same old bureaucratic runaround,” Angela replied sullenly. “Isn’t there anything you can do?” Lucas asked. “Nobody … Continue reading Tempus Non Expectandum

Another Staged Reading This October 12

My one act drama Yellow Roses will be getting another staged reading by Equity Library Theater this Saturday October 12th at the Hamilton Grange Library at 503 W. 145th St. in New York, NY and will be presented with other plays. Five of the six readers from the previous staged reading last August 17th will … Continue reading Another Staged Reading This October 12

Central Park Jazz – West Fourth Trio

On my latest trip to New York while walking through Central Park, I came across a jazz quartet, sat on a bench, and enjoyed their fine playing. They're the West Fourth Trio, I assume the saxophonist was a guest musician, and they were tight. Wish I had showed up earlier to capture more of their … Continue reading Central Park Jazz – West Fourth Trio

Seeing Statue Of Liberty For The First Time

I recently made a trip to New York City to see a staged reading of my one act play Yellow Roses by the Equity Library Theater last August 17th. Before the trip I planned a visit to the Brooklyn Bridge, I wanted to walk across it during my previous trips but didn't get the chance. … Continue reading Seeing Statue Of Liberty For The First Time

Staged Reading This Saturday August 17

My one act drama Yellow Roses will be part of an afternoon of staged readings by Equity Library Theater at the Queens Public Library and presented by The Woodside Players. Event begins at 1PM and there will be six short plays. My play takes place in a neighborhood pub on a Tuesday night and has … Continue reading Staged Reading This Saturday August 17

Adventures In Table Reading

I recently completed a feature length screenplay titled Second Time Around, an adaptation of my stage play Electric Serenade which was performed at Theater for the New City in East Greenwich Village New York in September 2022. As soon as I returned home to California after its premier I began turning my stage play into a … Continue reading Adventures In Table Reading

I’m On A Podcast!

I have now been a guest on a podcast called Southern Man, Western Town. It's from a musician named Jeff Lawrence, here's the link to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Jx5MNNWHezM5C2QzHpTQr I talked about my latest short movie project and a little bit about the history of my writing. It was fun! I haven't listened to it yet … Continue reading I’m On A Podcast!