A Midautumn Night’s Dream with Jenny Koons

October 11, 2018October 16, 2018 Victoria Myers 6163 Views community work

Jenny Koons is not interested in playing by the rules of traditional theatre. Her productions are rooted in activism and community, like her A Midsummer Night’s Dream for The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit, in which the classic Shakespeare play is reimagined within the world of a New York City block party. We speak to Jenny about what it’s like to direct for the Mobile Unit, the reason that Midsummer is a perfect New York play, why she is interested in work that asks questions, and more.

Interviews

Laurie Woolery, Shaina Taub, Sonya Tayeh, and Andrea Grody on “As You Like It”

August 28, 2017October 11, 2018 Victoria Myers 7658 Views community work, Lear deBessonet, shaina taub, sonya tayeh

Public Works might be theatre-making of the largest scale in Manhattan. This year, the production is “As You Like It,” and it has all women at the helm: director Laurie Woolery, composer Shaina Taub, choreographer Sonya Tayeh, and music director Andrea Grody. On a break from rehearsal, the women sat down to give a brief history of their process for the project.

Interviews

An Interview with Lear deBessonet

May 15, 2017October 11, 2018 Victoria Myers 9668 Views community work, director, Lear deBessonet

Director Lear deBessonet has become known for her large-scale productions with Public Works. She’s currently directing a revival of “Venus.” We talk to Lear about her process for “Venus,” Public Works, her spiritual life, and more.

Featurettes

Lynn Nottage on the Music and Images of Writing “Sweat”

December 6, 2016October 11, 2018 Victoria Myers 9165 Views community work, lynn nottage, playwriting, sweat

We asked Lynn Nottage to share with us the playlist she made while writing the “Sweat” and the visual images she took on trips to Reading. We discuss how she used the music and images as part of her writing process, her opinions on the differences between journalism and playwriting, and how the creative process can get lost in the conversations surrounding political plays.