Playwrights create action. We use words to describe what action happens on stage some of which, of course, are the words the characters say. What do I mean by action? I mean what characters do that causes change, small or large within the performance or play.

How do I work:
I write multiple drafts, seeing what unfolds, what is sparked by what’s created at each step. I like to throw stuff in, throw stuff out and throw stuff around. I love to test out what I build out loud with performers, composers, directors, designers. And then make changes — small and large — as the piece demands.

What I value:
I value play — that’s why I write them. (I know a lot of folks say this.) The impulse to find joy in creation and performance and to fool around is basic to what I do. I believe that we can get at so many serious topics and artistic challenges through play — by seeing creation as play (not that it isn’t hard work) which carries and frees our imaginations. Please don’t mistake this for game theory or “gamification.” I’m talking about finding a looseness, a freedom, and a place where difficulties, discomfort, and failure are trusted to lead to the next compelling thing — like the kid who’s soccer ball has rolled into the scary but fascinating new neighbor’s yard.
I also value difference. I love to try something different than before. I love to work with collaborators who bring different points of views, backgrounds, skills and attitudes. (Katja Rivera had never written a play before, but brought deep insight about how plays looked and moved, from her work as a director. Tom Darter is not a country musician but leapt into writing that music, and had a work ethic that meant we got the piece done quickly, with the wit that often surfaces from swiftness.)

What I love:
I love moments when the characters feel everything is absolutely new — whether it is or not, whether it’s happy new or scary new, aggravating, galvanizing, or ecstatic.
I love surprise connections — between people, between moments, between images. I love when sweetness emerges out of humor — and when horror and menace grow out of comfort and ease.
I love to use what our experiments show us in new ways.
I love when audiences see new connections in a performance which the creators missed.
I love that moment when different pieces of a work come together in a unique and unpredictable way that takes us all deeper or in a different direction that we ever dreamed.
Okay, I admit it — I do love laughter because it’s out loud and it’s shared. I’m a playwright — I love reaction: A slow take, a double take, a spit take.
Oh, yeah, I love silence too.

What my goals are:
For each project, my goal is to to explore the power — for good or ill — of a particular moment.

My goal is to have my plays performed on every continent of the world every day.