theRonan.org: American Storyboard

The Yeats Game, a comedy by John Ronan, had its New York premiere February 29, 2012 at The Producers' Club, 358 West 44th Street; New York, NY.

The Yeats Game is the latest effort by American Storyboard to fulfill its goal of examining broad social issues. In this case, the play deals (humorously) with illness and morality in late middle age, the "pre-geezer" years.

"I am still of the opinion that only two topics can be of the least interest to the serious and studious mind - sex and the dead."

-- W. B. Yeats. Taking its lead from the poet, The Yeats Game throws two aging, bright couples into philosophy and farce, bedrooms and booze. As the Boston Edge put it: “The script is fraught with wordplay and texture, and it pulls the veil off the couples and their lives with just the right pacing and panache.”

The production was directed by the nationally recognized actor and director, Kathy Richter.

American Storyboard

American Storyboard, Inc., is a non-profit, 501c3 charitable corporation dedicated to producing documentaries, plays, and other media forms of the highest quality.

American Storyboard was the producer of an important sports documentary titled Women in American Horse Racing. A previous feature, Gloucester's Adventure: An American Story, won national awards, including a TELLY and GOLD AURORA, and was aired on PBS outlets.

Tax deductible donations may be made to American Storyboard, Inc.

Mission

American Storyboard seeks to improve understanding of environmental and social issues through documentaries, theater productions, and other media.

Productions will improve the understanding of how factors ranging from technology to time affect our lives and values.

American Storyboard seeks to help American communities and individuals face difficult decisions by deepening an awareness of historical and artistic context.

Storyboard Officers and Board

Officers
President: John J. Ronan
Treasurer: Mark Young
Clerk: Sandra Ronan

Board
Janis Bell
John Green
Arthur Ryan

Adventure

American Storyboard's first effort was Gloucester's Adventure: An American Story, which won an Aurora Gold and a Telly in historical documentary categories. The story of a schooner, her city, and the sea, the feature had its broadcast premiere in August 2002, on WGBH-TV, Boston's flagship PBS station.

The production was made possible by over $45,000 in grants and by in-kind contributions worth over $30,000. Copies are available at Northeast Historic Film.

Praise for Adventure

"One of the last Gloucestermen to fish under sail, Adventure is a cornerstone of America's maritime heritage. Now we can all share the saga of this fabled schooner, from fishing to windjamming and now to teaching the history and ecology of the sea. This is a wonderful story." - Dennis Conner, America's Cup Captain

"Adventure is a defining jewel in the whole spectacle of America…" - Sen. Ted Kennedy

"Famed schooner now a video star." - The Boston Globe.

WOMEN IN AMERICAN HORSE RACING, another documentary, was named a finalist for a 2008 Billie Award. The Billies “honor media excellence in the portrayal of girls and women in sports.” They are named in honor of women's sports pioneer Billie Jean King, and are presented by the Women’s Sports Foundation.

DVD's are available through the Daily Racing Form, Amazon, and other outlets at $14.95.

For up-to-date, knowledgeable information about racing and women in racing, try Brooklyn Backstretch, the rapidly expanding, professional site run by Teresa Genaro. Then go to Jessica Chapel's Railbird and her new site, Raceday360. And for John Ronan's latest piece of horse fiction, a short story titled Am I Missing Something?, go to the College of Southern Maryland's literary magazine Connections.

Sponsored in part by and

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This documentary, co-produced by John and Sandy Ronan, explores women's careers in racing, from trainers to vets, and from grooms to jockeys to owners. It outlines the struggle women have had - and continue to have - in their rise to prominence in the thoroughbred racing industry.

Pre-production began in spring 2005, with principal photography taking place in 2005 and 2006 in Massachusetts. Women in American Horse Racing premiered June 16, 2007.

Women in American Horse Racing was supported by private sponsorship and corporate underwriting, by institutional grants, and by dedicated fundraising. Active sponsors include the Autotote Corporation, a subsidiary of Scientific Games, and The Daily Racing Form.

WATCH A VIDEO CLIP on Women in American Horse Racing (Windows Media format). And listen to EQUINE FORUM, hosted by Mike Penna and Pete Kules, as they interviewed John and Sandy Ronan on September 1, 2007, live from Saratoga Race Course. Mike and Pete are the track-savvy operators of the Horse Racing Radio Network, based in Lexington, KY.

On August 3, 2007, John Hernandez and Dick Harbin on The Friday Night Touch program of the Thoroughbred Connection interviewed John about the documentary. On September 2, 2006, an article about the documentary appeared in Joe and Sean Clancy's fine, benchmark newspaper, The Saratoga Special.

Women in American Horse Racing has also been featured on PBS stations throughout Kentucky (KET) and Arkansas (AETN).

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High Horse

High Horse will examine the transition between horsepower and the automobile at the turn of the twentieth century. The advantages of speed and power presented by the internal combustion engine created 'progress' in American and throughout the world, but at a great price - to the horse and to human sensibilities. High Horse plans to explored the gains and losses of this historic period. Pre-production will begin in late 2012.