Anna King Skeels’ My Sister’s Lipstick Explores Isolation, Queer Repression, and a Judy Garland Obsession
(Pittsburgh, PA) December 23, 2024—This January, the New Hazlett Theater invites audiences to the premiere of My Sister’s Lipstick, playwright Anna King Skeels’ bold new work on how seclusion impacts self-expression and the choice to keep living.
Inspired by isolation, queer repression, and a Judy Garland obsession, this intimate play takes place January 30-31.
My Sister’s Lipstick follows George, who locks themself up in their apartment to escape the troubles of the outside world. Their sister, Morrison—the only person they allow inside—longs for her sibling to come back into her life.
“My Sister’s Lipstick is a lion-hearted queer/trans-centric play diving headfirst into siblinghood, nostalgia for a life you haven’t lived, and a desperate need for togetherness.” says Skeels.
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It is Skeel’s hope that audiences leave the play with a greater understanding about the complexities of queer identity and mental health.
“As audiences experience My Sister’s Lipstick, I hope that they see themselves in the love and vulnerability on stage and find camaraderie with our characters,” states Skeels. “When they come to the theater, I hope they find a tale that weaves together queer identity, grief in various states of process, and relationships, both new and old, and allow themselves to indulge in it.”
My Sister’s Lipstick is the first of three productions in the Theater’s 2025 Community Supported Art (CSA) performance series. Now in its 12th season, the CSA allows emerging artists like Skeels to develop new work for the New Hazlett stage.
“In a world where identity is most often painted in broad strokes, Anna dares to explore the delicate hues of love, loss, and self-discovery. My Sister’s Lipstick boldly invites us to question the masks we wear and the fragile threads that connect us. To witness not only the evolution of this play, but also the growth of Anna as an emerging playwright alongside it, has been such a beautiful experience.” states New Hazlett Theater Artistic Producer Melissa Cardello-Linton.
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The multi-talented My Sister’s Lipstick cast features Annie Morehead (George), Audrey Klein (Morrison), June Almonte (Jane) and Jillian Lovelace (U/S for George, Morrison & Jane).
The production team includes Skeels, Pria Dahiya (Director), Alyse M Hogan (Stage Manager), D.T. Burns (Dramaturg), Eve Bandi (Lighting Designer), Natalie Rose Mabry (Projection Designer & Scenic Designer), Mars Elsheik (Sound Designer), Lillie Tuck (Prop Master) and Jeremy Pitzer (Costume Designer).
My Sister’s Lipstick has three showings only: Thursday, January 30th at 8 PM and Friday, January 31st at 10 AM & 8 PM. Individual tickets are available for purchase on the New Hazlett website. Tickets range from $20–$34.
Subscriptions are available for purchase on the New Hazlett website.
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Meet the Artist
Anna King Skeels (they/them/theirs) is a playwright, actor, and big nerd originally from Baltimore, Maryland with a BFA in Theatre Arts from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. With an objective of using theatre as a tool for social justice, they create work focused on audience engagement, experimentation, and making your theatre experience as queer as possible.
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2024/2025 Season Lineup:
My Sister’s Lipstick
A play by Anna King Skeels
An intimate tale of sibling bonds, queer repression, and a Judy Garland obsession.
January 30–31, 2025
EGO
An interactive experience composed by Ramin Akhavijou
Step into the future with an interactive fusion of music, technology, and art.
March 20–21, 2025
Dragonfly Dawn
A captivating concert by Joanna Abel
An ethereal dance journey through enchanted battlegrounds of good versus evil.
April 24–25, 2025
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Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available for all CSA Season 12 productions.
The New Hazlett Theater is also eager to invite student groups to the theater, including talkbacks with the artists.
Please email Nathan Wagner with any questions.
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Season art & design: Bootstrap Design Co. | CSA Season 12 Artist Portraits: Matt Dyak | Performance photos: Renee Rosensteel
Supporting sponsor: CapTrust
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About Community Support Art (CSA)
Since 2013, the New Hazlett Theater’s CSA Performance Series has brought emerging and mid-career performing artists to the stage. We’re passionate about providing a space for Pittsburgh’s amazing pool of creative talent to develop, collaborate, grow, and flourish. From dance to music and original plays to experimental animation, our CSA pushes the boundaries of performance at every show. For more information, visit https://newhazletttheater.org/csa
About The New Hazlett Theater
The New Hazlett Theater is more than a beautifully restored historic building. We’re a nonprofit organization working to nurture and promote art in Pittsburgh through innovation and collaboration. As a creative hub for a diverse range of artists, audiences, and performances, we provide vital resources to creators to enrich our cultural community. For more information on who we are and what we do, please visit www.newhazletttheater.org