HowlRound Theatre Commons: When I started trying to work as a playwright, I would often insist that I wasn’t writing plays to sit on a hard drive somewhere. I was writing plays to be performed. In the decade-or-so since then, I have been fortunate enough to have some of my work performed, but the most I have ever seen many of my plays come alive is at a reading. For many years—and, to some extent, still—I felt as if these works I loved so much were never allowed to be fully born.
4 comments:
A play written with the intention of being read rather than performed is an interesting concept. I’ve never written a play so I’m not sure if I’m the best to speak to this, but I remember vividly my Shakespeare unit from 8th grade. To read, and re-read, was the first level to understanding these complicated works, but my truest understanding came from in-class sessions when our little 8th grade selves performed with a tenacity that probably left Shakespeare rolling in his grave. Unfortunately, new productions are experiencing barriers far more complex than bad acting. There are few things that are not being negatively affected by the current political climate, and unfortunately theater is not one of them. Given the circumstances, it will be interesting to see the change in playwriting culture. With less focus on the staging and technical needs, will there be more whimsical components? If so, it will be interesting to see how those aspects come to life if the plays are performed later on.
It was great to read an article from a playwright’s perspective. I am so caught up in the design and production phases of theatre, I often forget that the art starts months or years before with a script.
I didn’t know that there was this dilemma: playwrights feel they can only achieve success if their plays are produced on a stage. The idea of a “closet drama,” a piece intended for the closet, to never be produced, seems freeing. I’m glad it took off a lot of the pressure this writer felt when writing plays.
I struggled a little when she began to explain what changed in her writing when she began intentionally writing closet dramas. She explained that she began to use footnotes and stage directions more and more, as in closet dramas, she is able to “speak with the audience more directly.” But in my mind, this can be explored even more through a more traditional style of writing, like a novel. It is clear that the author is trying to find joy in the writing process, not just the fact that she is creating for the stage. I admire it, but wonder genuinely, without actors and the creation of a play from the script, what is the format of the script giving her that another form of writing could not provide?
I found the idea of “closet drama” really interesting. I’ve never written a play myself, so I can only imagine the struggles and pressures that come with trying to get one produced. From the way the author describes the process, it seems like there are so many gatekeepers and limitations that could make it difficult for playwrights to fully express their ideas. The concept that a play doesn’t necessarily have to be staged to be meaningful was something I hadn’t really considered before. Theatre is usually thought of as a live performance art, so it’s interesting to think about plays existing primarily as works meant to be read. At the same time, I do think part of what makes theatre special is the collaboration between writers, actors, and designers when a script comes to life on stage. Still, I can see how removing the pressure of production could allow playwrights to experiment more freely and write more honestly about personal or political topics.
This whole article felt kinda, entitled in a way. I don't mean to downplay this persons work. But writing is one of the most difficult careers you can take the road towards. Getting a book to be popular is difficult, and getting a play to be popular is also difficult. The whole mentality, that there should be an easier way is really strange to me. While I agree that as a society we definitely need to move past the lack of a financial floor at this point considering the technology and money that we have today makes it easier than ever to make sure everyone has some sort of livable conditions. I really don't agree that everyone should be automatically famous, thats really not how fame works. You can't really force fame. It's something that comes naturally and while there are definitely forces that gatekeep. Thats really the nature of society as a whole. It's a natural responce to the competitive industry we have because if you don't gatekeep then you are effectively inviting in your own competition.
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