DRAMATIST ▪ AUTHOR ▪ SCREENWRITER
The story . . .
An Iranian, same-sex couple seeks to migrate from their homeland to a country where they will be able to live a peaceful life as their authentic selves. When a pious community member discovers their relationship, he threatens to destroy their lives. The couple struggles to navigate the situation hoping to find a way out.
Omeed's Tapestries was inspired by three-dozen first person accounts, interviews, and additional research.
The journey so far . . .
-- Initially workshopped with the Witherspoon Circle in Princeton, NJ
-- Reading with the Depot in Hampton, CT
-- A finalist in the Woodward International Playwriting Prize Competition
-- A finalist in the Off-West End Arcola Theatre's International Queer Theatre Reading Series
-- Published by Next Stage Press
-- Off-Broadway reading set for the fall of 2024
The screenplay version of Omeed's Tapestries won the Spring 2024 Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards Diverse Writers Outreach for Best Screenplay
What people are saying . . .
“The readers at the Depot for New Play Readings unanimously agreed Barry M. Putt, Jr.'s powerful and challenging play should be produced now. Set in Iran, "Omeed's Tapestries" examines the dangerous intersection between personal ambition and an oppressive culture, where criminalized love can be exploited for personal gain. The play is less about Iran than about the violence members of the LGBTQ community suffer, or are threatened with, here in the United States and abroad. Without slipping into didacticism, "Omeed's Tapestries" makes a powerful plea for the humanity of all people, regardless of whom they love.”
-- Lucretia Anne Flammang, artistic director, The Depot (stage play version)
"The idea of two gay men living in the patriarchal world of Iran offers an incredible premise that is ripe with promise. It calls to mind successful films like MOONLIGHT that deal with sexuality in a repressed society. The film would require modest production costs as the locations are relatively simplistic, opening up the doors for financiers seeking dramas that can be made for a low cost without sacrificing the story's integrity. The ensemble offers rich characters that would draw interest from the types of high-caliber performers that could make this an award-worthy film for a large audience. The writing level shows excellent proficiency in this medium." – The Blacklist (screenplay version)
An introduction to writer, Barry M. Putt, Jr. . . .
Barry's plays have been performed throughout the U.S. and in France, Canada, and the UAE by companies including Beacon Theatre Productions, Dreamcatchers, and Caesar’s Ford Theatre, Inc. His comedy, A Different Blend of Friendship won the New Jersey Wordsmiths Award. Barry’s film credits encompass co-writing the multi-award-winning short film Departures, the VR miniseries Maren’s Rock, and six development deals with companies such as Omega Entertainment. He was a staff writer on Ebru-TV’s Telly Award-winning series Wisdom Tree and head writer for Craven Productions In the Cellar. Barry has scripted over 50 audio-drama productions for companies in the U.S. Canada, and China. His work as an author includes the books Stories Told through Sound (Applause) and Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel’s Greasy Spoon (BearManor Media.)