Author: Derek Hills

DEREK HILLS is a storyteller and playwright from Washington, DC. He's notched over 100 performances on several DC-area stages, including Story District, The Moth, and Better Said Than Done. He's also appeared in "e-Geaux (beta)" and "Apocalypse Picnic" at the Capital Fringe Festival, and debuted his full-length comedy, "Prison Break, Incorporated," in 2016. He contributes occasional freelance arts criticism and essays to the Washington City Paper and Washington Post and is now working on a play called "Shopworn," which runs July 17-28, 2018 at the Capital Fringe Festival.

SHOPWORN is “punch-line funny and pretty darn woke”

The reviews are in, and SHOPWORN is one of the Best of Fringe 2018. But don’t just take our word for it – ask our pals at DCist. We’re so proud of this show and would love for you to join us before our run ends on July 28.

Praise for SHOPWORN

DC Metro Theater Arts: SHOPWORN is “punch-line funny and pretty darn woke” and its “appealing characters, terrific performances, and ample laughs make it an excellent and entertaining buy.”

DCist: SHOPWORN’s “tense, strange, and intriguing narrative [is] pretty entertaining.”

Broadway World DC: “Finding a young production with tons of potential is always thrilling. Finding one that has already tapped into much of that potential is even more satisfying. Hopefully, this is a production that will find life again beyond the Fringe Festival.”

DC Theater Scene: “SHOPWORN is the kind of show that strikes a chord in this current political climate. With an ever-churning news cycle of ‘could it get worse?’ moments followed by troll-filled comment sections, it’s nice to get a chance to laugh at the way we disagree.”

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‘I Killed My Mother’ is haunting and beautiful – and an apt commentary for our national moment

I Killed My Mother delivers a penetrating look into a young woman’s search for inner peace and happiness. It presents a world unstuck in time, where events from the past and present – and at moments, the future – freely intertwine and literally dance and sing courtesy of Natalia Gleason’s elegant direction on the Spooky Action stage. Continue reading “‘I Killed My Mother’ is haunting and beautiful – and an apt commentary for our national moment” →

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My Washington Post debut!

I finally cracked DC’s Paper of Record, courtesy of the Soloish blog. Click through the “More…” link to read the entire article.

It’s late October, and I’m holding a bottle of white shoe polish in the parking lot outside the reception hall. It’s time to decorate the newlyweds’ SUV. And since I went to an SEC school (Go Gators!), our friends believe I have the know-how to write something appropriate. But I’m taking too long. The sun’s going down, and soon the happy couple will drive off together for the first time as husband and wife.

I cycle through the wedding cliches, but “Happily Ever After” just doesn’t feel right. The cheekiest thing I can think of is “Go Steelers?” to reflect their mutual and then-dubious fandom. It’s not so romantic, but what do you say when you know a couple isn’t going to make it? (More…)

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What’s Prison Break, Incorporated? Well, here’s a preview!

You’ve run marathons in Kuala Lumpur, did the half Ironman in Hawaii, and proved your mettle on the now-quaint Tough Mudder race course as well as its clones. But where to go for your next adrenaline rush? You check your social media feed in desperation, wondering if you’ve peaked as a weekend warrior athlete/IT project manager. But then you see it, between posts touting gun-lust and unfettered abortions… An advertisement for your next physical challenge… Prison Break! Continue reading “What’s Prison Break, Incorporated? Well, here’s a preview!” →

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The Chicago Blackhawks are not a dynasty

Wikipedia’s been updated, so I guess it’s official: the Chicago Blackhawks are a hockey dynasty. This, by virtue of their victory Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which secured their third Stanley Cup title in six years. It’s without question an impressive achievement, all the more so in this era of 30 teams, free agency, and the salary cap. So the win certainly cements the ‘Hawks status as this decade’s finest hockey team. But I’m just not sure it also makes them a dynasty – yet. Continue reading “The Chicago Blackhawks are not a dynasty” →

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Remember the Brian Williams imbroglio? Here’s what he could learn from DC storytellers…

The commentariat loves gifts like the Brian Williams/RPG-gate saga as it allows for easy and unrestrained blogging. Just imagine their relief: What’s this, an esteemed cultural icon – one whose authority in IconLand stems from some pesky yet venerable notion of trust – has been caught fibbing at the expense of American soldiers??? Holy Walter Cronkite, get out the pitchforks because Brian Williams is obviously a giant lying bag of poo. Continue reading “Remember the Brian Williams imbroglio? Here’s what he could learn from DC storytellers…” →

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