Springtime Theater Explosion!
Hey, all.
So, here we are, still climbing the face of the semester and on the precipice of what seems will be a beautiful spring. If you’re like me, as the weather gets warmer, you’re wanting more and more each day to skip class, break out the capris and “get college” on one of the spatters of lawn on-campus. Maybe a book, or some lunch, or maybe some mirrored sunglasses so people can’t tell you’re staring at them - alone, these items are mere novelties, but together, they mean only two things: 1) a stakeout, 2) spring on a college campus.
What else happens around here during the spring? I’ll tell you: people gathering in large groups inside of dark rooms to observe other people play dress-up and talk to one another under lights (not spring-specific necessarily, but always fun): It looks like we’re approaching another big weekend for on-campus theater.
The 14th Grade Players present Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. It runs April 3-5 (this Thursday - Saturday), 8pm; April 6 (Sunday), 3pm. It’s in the Lisner Downstage and tickets are $5 at the door.
Also, beginning today, is the GW Theater Department’s world-premiere production of The Falling Man, penned by one of GW’s own, Matthew K. Johnson. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to talk to Matthew and ask him about the play. Our topics included: playwriting, aliases, political communications, the movie Torque, the only motorcycle movie to feature Ice Cube (coincidently written by another Matt Johnson), his experience as an up-and-coming New York playwright, the writing and exhibition of The Falling Man, 9/11 and its resulting literature, and many others. As you might be able to tell from that list, we had a really great (and varied!) talk.
It was really interesting for me to have this chance; as a student involved in theater and someone trying to write, I find myself constantly wanting to know how and what others are doing - a sort of naive, anxious voyeurism (maybe just genuine interest). So, this was a great chance to see a burgeoning playwright (from GW, no less) the week of the world-premiere of one his first plays (a thesis project from his time at NYU graduate school). It was really cool to get some current insight into the transition of an artist from college to beyond, and to hear what it’s actually like living in the real world, while working (or trying to, at least) in the theater. It was also nice to talk to an alum, who is in the process of succeeding in his field and who is not a politician (though he studied political communications here, and was slightly bashful in admitting that he has a day job as a legal temp). So from both an artistic and professional standpoint, talking with Matt was a great experience.
Anyway, here are a couple portions of our discussion, complete with phone drops, gmail pings, and the noises of curious passers by:
On his career, the business vs. the art of writing, politics and perceptions.
On The Falling Man; inspiration, complications and national tragedy.
Enjoy. And see The Falling Man: April 2-5, 7:30pm, April 6, 2:00pm - Betts Theater (Marvin Center). Tickets are $10 for students, $15 general admission. Look for a possible review in the next week or so, maybe even a follow-up with Matthew (or additional portions of the interview). Until then, continue what you’re doing, unless you don’t enjoy doing it; in that case, finish and move on. It’s time.
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