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Feb 20, 2019

I Interview Playwrights Part 1026: Beaufield Berry



Beaufield Berry

Hometown: Omaha, Neb.

Current Town: I call it Omaha, International.

Q: Congrats on Denver! What are you working on there?

A: Thank you!!! What a high ; ) I am workshopping my play In The Upper Room, which is one play in a cycle of Seven--yet to be titled. It is a Black family dramatic comedy about identity, religion, belonging and colorism in the 70's.

Q: What else are you up to?

A: *Momentarily freaks out about upcoming schedule* A childrens musical, a play on the red summer, two University commissions.

Q: Tell me, if you will, a story from your childhood that explains who you are as a writer or as a person.

A: Once upon a time I was five years old and it was time for the dance recital I'd been working on for months. Right before my cue, I learn that my dance partner had an accident and no longer wanted to perform. I was told I could go on alone or wait until the next number. I very clearly remember saying "I'm going on." And I went out there, did my little thing, saw my family clapping for me and have been working hard at not limiting myself since. (With many, many, many, many failures in between)

Q:  If you could change one thing about theater, what would it be? 

A:  The demographics! I love and appreciate our older, white patrons and for every one of them I would add four people of other races, ages, socio economic backgrounds, and fields of expertise.

Q:  Who are or were your theatrical heroes? 

A:  I have so many! But I really think the answer is anyone working with children, creating with them the gift of theater. Those are my everyday heroes, because I know what having theater in your life from a young age can do for a person. It can save their life...so passionate, theater educators are my heroes and goals. But I also really love Emily Mann, August Wilson, Paula Vogel, Anna Deavere Smith, Sarah Jones...and Neil Simon.

Q:  What kind of theater excites you? 

A:  Hilarious comedy. I think that is so brave right now, in a world of drama, to just flat out make people laugh...and also think or cry...but I love a gut buster. And we're all so serious about our work, I love when I see a great show or cast...that takes themselves not so seriously, while still landing the job. I also LOVE Black playwrights with Black casts and crews--that's an electric space for me.

Q:  What advice do you have for playwrights just starting out? 

A:  Stay away from facebook playwriting groups, take the time to find your voice, don't compare your work to anyone else's, own your choices and only work with people you TRUST.

Q:  Plugs, please: 

A:  Next stop: KC Fringe with my Scientology Play! my new website is under development but it's going to be very cute. www.Beaufieldberry.com

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2 comments:

Maokia said...
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