Press:

Low Hanging Fruit

Feature Articles:

"Low Hanging Fruit is advertised as a female view of male sexuality, but don't expect mere emasculation from this sophisticated company. The Drama Mamas, who had a hit with "Stretch Marks: Growing Into Motherhood" in 2005, return with a bawdy story of a tech-support worker sucked into the vortex of online sex."
-- San Francisco Chronicle - April 1st, 2007

"The direction of Low Hanging Fruit makes efficient, imaginative use of the moveable set elements in multiple scene changes and keeps the activity and the laughs pumping along vibrantly. The play is tightly constructed with an emotional arc that brings the audience into the workings of Greg's psyche."
-- Albert Goodman - San Francisco Bay Times - April 12th, 2007

"Playwright Jade Raybin captures many funny details of the world of post-college living. The annoying habits of housemates! The humiliation of house parties! Shots of real creativity..."
-- Molly Rhodes - San Francisco Weekly - April 18th, 2007

"The semiexplicit, sitcom-like story line comes interspersed with agile, moderately raunchy, and humorous sequences."
-- San Francisco Bay Guardian - April 18th, 2007

Stretch Marks: Growing Into Motherhood

Feature Articles:

"On one level you're involved in the moment-to-moment, day-to-day details of motherhood," Schiller explains. "Then, if you're able, you can try and see the job from a global perspective. At some level, I hope that's what the show does for women. You're nurturing human life, valuing human life. Thinking about things like that can bring you a deeper understanding of what your job is, not just in daily life but in the larger scheme of the planet."

- Oakland Tribune

"Unlike the plays that reflect an individual’s experience, Drama Mama productions come from “group mind.” “It’s a different kind of theatre-making,” Schiller says. “It’s a constant play of allowing and shaping. It’s about getting input from individuals and caring for individuals and from that creating art.” She accesses the troupe’s deepest, rawest perspectives during long sessions of improvisation and transforms their experience into powerful theater."

- Oakland Magazine

"Schiller says this of the play, 'We see motherhood as a political act. What could be more political than learning the importance of everyday caretaking — kissing ‘boo-boos,’ supporting the growth of others, teaching children to take responsibility and grow to be good people in the world? Whether you are taking care of a child or taking care of the environment, whether you are a biological mother or an ‘Earth mother,’ caring the for world in this everyday way is the most radical political action you can perform.”

- Bay Area BusinessWoman

“Despite writing, acting and producing their own play, it's not nearly their biggest accomplishment.”

- San Francisco Chronicle

“Their common experiences have a real resonance with audiences when they transform their angst into art.”

- Contra Costa Times

“Stretch Marks derives inspiration from the Drama Mamas’ every day lives and, of course, from their children. Its four characters are loosely based on the original Mamas; however the women merged their stories and experiences and found that they—and their audience members—identify with bits and pieces of all the characters."

- Rockridge News

Reviews:

SiliconMom.com:

"Your production was fantastic!! So fresh and funny and above all, affirming of what struggles we all go through. With the best of intentions, motherhood is one big old battle some days. I have handed out your postcards to many moms in the area, with my glowing praise and wonder."

--Editor of SiliconMom.com, Alison R.G.Van Diggelen

"(Stretch Marks) is a play done like they did in the old days, four great actors, minimal staging, great writing, characters and story. All new moms should see this...well, I enjoyed it and I don't have any kids. So maybe, everyone should see it--if not for the subject matter than just to enjoy great storytelling and great theatre."

--Bret L.

"Bone Songs made me think about what legacy my mother left me and what legacy I am leaving my own children. I was impressed with the insight and courage of the writers/actors and also with the direction and staging of the piece. How did you find these women?"

--Terrie K.

San Francisco Chronicle:
“[Stretch Marks has] its you're-not-alone appeal – reaching out to share the lore and create that proverbial village.”

San Francisco Bay Guardian:
"The felicitous arrival of a mother's first born – not necessarily what the brochure would lead you to believe. For a better idea of what's to come, or to commiserate with those who understand all too well, there's the Drama Mamas . . . and their light but soulful comedy celebrating "the joy and the madness of mothering." Three very different personalities – Leda, the artist; Saundra, the businesswoman; and Annie, the nurse – are first-time moms in the same prenatal yoga class, and over the next several years support one another with an understanding that transcends differences of class and temperament. In addition, Mother Nature jumps in with the kind of experience you can't buy."