Artistic Statement

As a playwright, I am drawn to exploring the moments when ordinary people face extraordinary circumstances. My characters often find themselves trapped - physically, emotionally, or metaphorically - and must navigate impossible choices while maintaining their humanity and humor in the face of absurdity.

I write plays that blend dark comedy with deeper philosophical questions about identity, power, and reality. I'm particularly interested in the ways people use humor as both a shield and a sword, how laughter can emerge from our darkest moments, and how wit can reveal deeper truths about the human condition.

Having returned to playwriting after an almost two-decade hiatus, I look to bring both a fresh perspective and a renewed appreciation for theater's unique ability to examine life's complex moral questions through the lens of entertainment. I aim to create works that challenge audiences while keeping them engaged through humor and humanity, exploring how people maintain their dignity - or find their way back to it - when faced with circumstances beyond their control.

Dan West

Artistic Statement

As a playwright, I am drawn to exploring the moments when ordinary people face extraordinary circumstances. My characters often find themselves trapped - physically, emotionally, or metaphorically - and must navigate impossible choices while maintaining their humanity and humor in the face of absurdity.

I write plays that blend dark comedy with deeper philosophical questions about identity, power, and reality. I'm particularly interested in the ways people use humor as both a shield and a sword, how laughter can emerge from our darkest moments, and how wit can reveal deeper truths about the human condition.

Having returned to playwriting after an almost two-decade hiatus, I look to bring both a fresh perspective and a renewed appreciation for theater's unique ability to examine life's complex moral questions through the lens of entertainment. I aim to create works that challenge audiences while keeping them engaged through humor and humanity, exploring how people maintain their dignity - or find their way back to it - when faced with circumstances beyond their control.