Working in the Theatre: Direction and Writing - Appropriate

Summary

This script explores the production process of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' play 'Appropriate,' focusing on the collaboration between the playwright and the director. It delves into the challenges of creating a first production, revisions made to enhance character depth, and how the evolving relationship between the playwright and director shaped the play's revival. The script highlights key themes such as family dynamics, the American family drama genre, and the intersection of personal experiences with creative storytelling, making it a deeply reflective and collaborative theatrical journey.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The production centers on the long-standing creative collaboration between the speaker and playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.
• 📝 The process of creating a play is seen as iterative, where trying, failing, and refining are essential to unlocking the full potential of the script.
• 🎬 Despite being a revival of a decade-old play, the approach was like developing a new production, with significant changes to characterization and dramaturgy.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The play 'Appropriate' focuses on a family drama set around three estranged siblings who reunite to settle their late father’s estate, located in a plantation house.
• ❓ The title of the play, 'Appropriate,' plays on the dual meaning of the word, sparking ambiguity and multiple interpretations.
• 💡 The speaker emphasizes the role of the director in listening to and interpreting the text, highlighting how important collaboration is in theater-making.
• ⏳ Time constraints in American theater productions were discussed as a challenge, contrasting with more extended rehearsal periods in other countries like Germany.
• 👨‍👧 The speaker's personal experience of becoming a parent significantly impacted how they revised key scenes in the play, especially deepening the emotional stakes of characters as parents.
• 🏡 The house, where the family drama unfolds, becomes a character in itself, representing themes of time and nature, especially in the play's final scene.
• 🎨 The speaker has a deep appreciation for theatrical designers, believing that they play a critical and often underappreciated role in bringing the full vision of a play to life.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speaker's relationship with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins in the production?

The central theme is their collaborative process of discovering and unlocking the essence of the play. Both the speaker and Branden focus on exploring the characters, the play’s structure, and addressing unresolved dramaturgical elements.

What does the speaker identify as the goal of a first production or world premiere of a play?

The speaker believes the goal of a first production is to figure out how the play moves, breathes, and functions. It’s about understanding the core of the play and unlocking its full potential.

Why does the speaker compare the process of creating a play in the U.S. to Germany?

The speaker notes that in Germany, there is typically more time allocated for rehearsal (up to five months), whereas in the U.S., the process is rushed, with only three weeks to put everything together. The speaker believes the U.S. system does not allow enough time for a thorough creative process.

How does the speaker feel about the role of designers in theatre productions?

The speaker highly values designers, seeing them as an often undersung part of theatre. They emphasize that theatre design is crucial to storytelling, and the speaker appreciates creating moments for designers to showcase their talent and artistry.

What led to the significant rewrite of a scene between Sarah Paulson and Corey Stoll’s characters in the second act?

The speaker's personal experience of becoming a parent during COVID-19 helped them understand the characters’ roles as parents differently, leading to a rewrite that better excavated the characters' grief and love.

How does the speaker describe the dynamic between the characters Toni and Bo in the rewritten scene?

The dynamic between Toni and Bo is now one where their deep emotional history and love are revealed, particularly as their grief is explored in more depth. The scene has become a pivotal emotional moment in the play.

What significance does the speaker place on the title 'Appropriate'?

The title 'Appropriate' is intentionally ambiguous, with multiple meanings. It can be read as either 'appropriate' or 'appropriate,' reflecting the instability of language and allowing for various interpretations that align with the play's themes.

What personal impact has the production of 'Appropriate' had on the speaker?

The production has had a deep personal impact on the speaker, as it represents a culmination of a long friendship with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. It has also been a rewarding part of their professional life, allowing them to collaborate with trusted and talented individuals.

What is the significance of the house in the play 'Appropriate' according to the speaker?

The house represents a character within the play, symbolizing the passage of time and nature’s forces. The speaker mentions that the play's epilogue is dedicated to the house, showing how life is small in the grand scheme of things.

Why does the speaker believe theatre is a collaborative process?

The speaker emphasizes that theatre is a conversation between the performers and the audience, unfolding in real-time. The collaborative nature of theatre, involving trust and mutual respect among actors, directors, and designers, is essential to creating the best work.