I love plays. There is something about the live performance that moves me. And I have great admiration for people who write plays, particularly ones that move me. Which is why I was absolutely thrilled to meet Alabama Shakespeare Festival's playwright-in-residence Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder.
Elyzabeth was in town promoting her latest play, The Furniture of Home. It's set in Bayou la Batre, Alabama, on the one year anniversary of Katrina. She said this play is about family, about whether to go or stay. And if it's anything like her amazing play Gee's Bend, I know it will be an emotional experience.
Also of interest: Elyzabeth has been making her living as a playwright for two years now. This particular play was commissioned by Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and it's her second take, after throwing out the first. She said the only thing that remains of that first take is the title Furniture of Home and a blue chair.
See? All writers struggle. It's all a process. Every single word.
By the way, the play's title was inspired by a line from an Auden poem entitled "September 1, 1939." I love it when writers are inspired by poetry.
"It isn't where you came from; it's where you're going that counts."
- Ella Fitzgerald
Hi Irene,
ReplyDeleteI read your poem November and I like it.
I wrote a poem I too named November. It is on my blog, December archives. I shall be back to read the rest of your poems.
Hello, Friend!
ReplyDeleteYes, I fell under Kathleen Duey's spell at that same wik conference (and again at SCBWI LA in 2007), which is why I was thrilled to bring her in as keynote for my last gig as Springmingle Coordinator!
Your blog is inspirational, and congrats again on the exciting new book cover! Can't wait to read it.
Thanks Khaled! You and I are inspired by the same things. :) And Robyn.. doesn't it just figure that we both love Kathleen? You did good, girl! Just sorry I wasn't there to hear her.
ReplyDelete