Artistic Statement
Theatre cannot compete with the naturalistic realism of movies and t.v. Rather live theatre's power lies in ritual and imagination.
Comedy and tragedy are best mixed. Usually.
I am impatient with formulas, which do seem like sometimes extremely useful tools with which to play (never forget that is what I am writing--plays not works). But slavishly following same stifles creativity.
One of the most powerful of all things I have ever experienced as an audience member--and I seek to create in my own plays--is that moment when I look at a character and see myself. I call it a "Hello Me" moment, which is probably too silly for the gravitas I think implied--which is itself a good reason to call it that.
I see four aspects in theatrical storytelling, which I call PACT. Plot, Atmosphere, Character, Theme. Me, while I try to have exciting and surprising plots, I am far more focussed on the other three.
Also, I am a collaborator. Playwrights of necessity must be. So I try very hard to help the actors, designers, directors who will one day breathe life into my writing. This includes leaving room for them to make their own artistic choices.
Comedy and tragedy are best mixed. Usually.
I am impatient with formulas, which do seem like sometimes extremely useful tools with which to play (never forget that is what I am writing--plays not works). But slavishly following same stifles creativity.
One of the most powerful of all things I have ever experienced as an audience member--and I seek to create in my own plays--is that moment when I look at a character and see myself. I call it a "Hello Me" moment, which is probably too silly for the gravitas I think implied--which is itself a good reason to call it that.
I see four aspects in theatrical storytelling, which I call PACT. Plot, Atmosphere, Character, Theme. Me, while I try to have exciting and surprising plots, I am far more focussed on the other three.
Also, I am a collaborator. Playwrights of necessity must be. So I try very hard to help the actors, designers, directors who will one day breathe life into my writing. This includes leaving room for them to make their own artistic choices.
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David MacDowell Blue
Artistic Statement
Theatre cannot compete with the naturalistic realism of movies and t.v. Rather live theatre's power lies in ritual and imagination.
Comedy and tragedy are best mixed. Usually.
I am impatient with formulas, which do seem like sometimes extremely useful tools with which to play (never forget that is what I am writing--plays not works). But slavishly following same stifles creativity.
One of the most powerful of all things I have ever experienced as an audience member--and I seek to create in my own plays--is that moment when I look at a character and see myself. I call it a "Hello Me" moment, which is probably too silly for the gravitas I think implied--which is itself a good reason to call it that.
I see four aspects in theatrical storytelling, which I call PACT. Plot, Atmosphere, Character, Theme. Me, while I try to have exciting and surprising plots, I am far more focussed on the other three.
Also, I am a collaborator. Playwrights of necessity must be. So I try very hard to help the actors, designers, directors who will one day breathe life into my writing. This includes leaving room for them to make their own artistic choices.
Comedy and tragedy are best mixed. Usually.
I am impatient with formulas, which do seem like sometimes extremely useful tools with which to play (never forget that is what I am writing--plays not works). But slavishly following same stifles creativity.
One of the most powerful of all things I have ever experienced as an audience member--and I seek to create in my own plays--is that moment when I look at a character and see myself. I call it a "Hello Me" moment, which is probably too silly for the gravitas I think implied--which is itself a good reason to call it that.
I see four aspects in theatrical storytelling, which I call PACT. Plot, Atmosphere, Character, Theme. Me, while I try to have exciting and surprising plots, I am far more focussed on the other three.
Also, I am a collaborator. Playwrights of necessity must be. So I try very hard to help the actors, designers, directors who will one day breathe life into my writing. This includes leaving room for them to make their own artistic choices.