THE INTERVAL: Despite the dearth of women writing, directing, and designing on Broadway, there are a lot of fabulous women making theatre and changing the theatrical landscape beyond the Great White Way. We asked women who had been featured on The Interval, and those in the know in the theatre community, to recommend emerging female theatre artists who they’re excited by and who deserve more exposure and support. So here are 16 female writers, directors, designers, and producers who the theatre community should be watching
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I feel like it is very easy to get bogged down by all of the negativity against women that we are exposed to, especially in the media. Being talked down to as if we wouldn’t have any idea of what we are doing, receiving sexual/ flirtatious advances in a work environment, and not being hired/taken seriously in the first place are some of the many common experiences I’ve found with almost every other woman I’ve met trying to work in theater. So, it is always refreshing to read about the successful work women are able to be doing in the artistic field today. I really enjoyed this quote by Elena Araoz, “Why do we use the word “risk-taking” to speak about scripts, but not to speak about our conference room choices?”. I definitely agree that there are many topics which we as artists feel very comfortable discussing within the realm of our shows, but rarely ever in our personal lives. It was very cool to read about Jaclyn Backhaus since I just saw her play Men on Boats (with an all female cast) this summer at Playwright Horizons and loved it’s simultaneous humor and commentary on masculinity. I really enjoyed reading about all of their unique creativity processes. I especially liked what Elisheba Ittopp said comparing her sound design to a painter’s palette. I also loved what Carolyn Mraz said about finding “the joy and specificity” in scenery. I think it’s important to note that basically every women interviewed said in response to the question about “how we can get rid of gender disparity in theater” by saying that people just need to hire more women. I really do think it is that easy, while at the same time being a simplified answer to a culturally ingrained issue.
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