"Dreaming of Fat Men" created by Lorelai Harris

A delightful and insightful dinner conversation among five women of size. Why do they love to eat? Do they really all eat for the pleasure of it? In what way can a lobster become a symbol of liberation? Are the men in their lives understanding of their appetites? In the work, the sounds from the animated dinner conversations blend with excerpts from one-to-one interviews with the women to shape lively portraits that defy easy categorizing. Dreaming of Fat Men is the winner of the prestigious 1995 Prix Italia documentary award. Produced for RTE, Radio 1, Dublin, Ireland. Edited version presented by New American Radio. 1993-1994.

"American Dining: A Working Woman's Moment" created by Jerri Allyn

Drawing from her own experience as a waitress, Allyn creates song-narratives that offer fascinating insights into a world usually unnoticed by customers—the bizarre and very human world of the over-worked waitress. It's a world of men showing off their improvisational genius for sexual word play; of ambiguous relationships to the union; a world where an old and forgotten lady, who once introduced American radio audiences to broccoli is rediscovered. Combining perceptive writing with a skillful delivery, a folksy sound score by Bob Davis of Earwax Productions, and a delightful sense of down-home humor, this work will change your image of American diners and their waitresses forever. Commissioned by New American Radio.

In its ten years as a weekly national series, 1987-1998, New American Radio (NAR) commissioned and distributed over 300 original works: conceptual new drama, associational documentary, language explorations, sonic meditations, environmental compositions, musical explorations and works that pioneer new dimensions in acoustic space. Wave Farm is thrilled to be partnering with New American Radio to ensure these works remain available to listeners today and into the future.

New American Radio was organized by Helen Thorington, Executive Producer and Regine Beyer, Associate Producer. A special thanks to both Helen Thorington and Jo-Anne Green for their generous support and collaboration of this partnership, and their contribution to the field at large!

Click here to explore individual artists and works.