Get to Know the Playwright
What inspired you to write this play?
I spent an entire semester studying Romeo and Juliet, which is one of my very favorite Shakespeare plays. The more I studied it the more certain I felt that Shakespere was not trying to tell a love story but instead a tragedy of rash young love. This sparked an idea of exploring this more in a play. I really wanted to highlight the rashness of Romeo and Juliet’s love while leaning into the comedy.
Can you walk us through your writing and editing process for this play?
It started as an assignment for the beginning playwriting class. The first few drafts centered a lot on Paris giving long speeches about how stupid Romeo and Juliet were, and him eventually leaving, sadly. In the midst of countless rewrites, we had a quick reading of the script on a London Study Abroad and the feedback I received in that reading changed the entire script. It’s as if It finally clicked and I understood how to really lean into the comedy, while still getting my point across in a humorous way. Even after that there were many more rewrites, and even into rehearsals, based on how the actors were embodying the characters, and how it was staged, I made more cuts and alterations.
Where do you generally find ideas or inspiration for writing your plays?
Everywhere. There is no one source of ideas or inspiration. The key is to write the ideas down when they come, and to be constantly looking for new inspiration in the world around us.
Can you share a bit about your background in playwriting?
I have been writing plays since I was eleven years old. Mainly, I write musicals, and have written three that have been staged, including; Liven Up!, Shine, and Colored Gray. I have taken beginning and intermediate playwriting and am currently workshopping a full length musical in WDA titled Tech Week for José, co-written by Kelci Ray which will have a concert reading in November.
What experiences have shaped you as a playwright?
I think just as ideas come from everywhere, the experiences in life even if they have nothing to do with writing shape the artist. My life informs my work.
What is one tip you would give to a beginner playwright?
Trust yourself and keep writing.
