35years - Capital Repertory Theatre

STAGES
NAKED INFLUENCE
35 YEARS theREP
A FEW MINUTES
WITH PLAYWRIGHT
SUZANNE BRADBEER
BY MARGARET E. HALL
ASSISTANT TO THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
JANUARY 22 – FEBRUARY 14
Q: How many plays have you published?
A: I haven’t published any – and it’s a real distinction because some people
do self-publish. I have been published by Samuel French (The God Game),
Playscripts, The Connotation Press, Applause Books, and in ten Smith &
Kraus anthologies.
Q: What is your incubation process?
A: A general time frame, on the short end, is two years. That’s from the
initial spark to the first draft, not to a production. But I’d been mulling
over the themes for The God Game for years, and with Naked Influence, the
character of Lucy has been on my mind since 2008. She wasn’t always in the
forefront, but she was there.
Q: How long were you writing before you obtained an agent?
A: I was my own agent for my first professional production, back in 2000—
not recommended. I remember I was quite literally on the streets of NYC,
negotiating, with the stress of the cars rushing by. It was not fun. For a
while after that, I had a ‘not so great’ agent, but eventually found my way to
working with Amy Wagner at Abrams Artists Agency. It took a while before I
was signed with the agency, but it’s been a great ride ever since. It’s a real
thrill and relief to have someone who believes in you from gig to gig, and
who takes the negotiation process away so that you can focus on what you
do best.
Q: What’s it like being in the rehearsal room for a first
production?
A: Really fun! It’s wonderful to move from where you’ve been, by yourself for
so long, and sit in a room and hear your play out loud. Watching talented
actors move it about is sort of indescribable. The jolt of excitement when
someone asks the right question can leave you with a bunch of things
to work on, or can be a confirmation that everything’s been figured out.
Rehearsals for Naked Influence have been amazing. I’ve barely written any
notes. Rather, I’ll lean in to talk to Maggie and make a remark and we work it
out right there. Everyone in this process is really clear, and clearly all on the
same page.
Reading of NAKED INFLUENCE at Next Act! New Play Summit 4
Florencia Lozano & Brendan Cataldo; photo by Richard Lovrich
Q: How do you find such great ways of incorporating the
technologically driven world of today?
A: It is definitely something you have to think about as a playwright if you’re
writing “today.” How do you decide how and when to withhold, or delve out
information if theoretically “we’re always available.” It’s a tricky line to walk,
but it’s like working a particularly difficult piece into a puzzle; and utterly
satisfying when you do.
Q: Is there any significance to the theme of politics in your
recent works?
A: I suppose it’s because I’m very interested in politics, and I love the
challenge it presents. There is an enormous amount of research to do. It’s
important that you find what makes the piece a story that demands telling;
that you find what the character’s dilemma is and how it manifests; and
that you find a way to do so without telling the audience how to think—
politically speaking. I also fervently agree with what David Brooks said in a
recent column about art, “You change the world by changing peoples’ hearts
and imaginations.”
Q: Do you find that being a female playwright today is any
easier than say 10 years ago?
Maggie and Suzanne on the set of NAKED INFLUENCE at theREP
Photo by Douglas C. Liebig
A: It’s a little easier than 10 years ago, but the numbers still aren’t great.
It’s an issue that is very much on people’s radar now, which is good. Take
the press coverage of Manhattan Theatre Club’s current season, which almost
exclusively featured male playwrights. It’s astonishing that things haven’t
come further or faster, especially considering that 51% of the population
is female; and that women make up the majority of theatre goers. How can
theatre be so non-progressive in this way? Strides still need to be made.
STAGES
SPECIAL EVENTS
35 YEARS theREP
OPENING NIGHT
Tue • January 26
With music by John McIntosh, and a
champagne and dessert reception after the
show with refreshments from Bella Napoli.
EDUCATION
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
CHEF’S TABLE
Tue • February 2
With pre-show refreshments provided
by The Hollow Bar + Kitchen
DISCUSSION NIGHTS
Wed • February 3 & February 10
A post-show discussion with Maggie
BEHIND-THE-SCENES WITH MAGGIE
Sun • February 14
Behind the Scenes includes light fare
from Cider Belly Doughnuts.
MEMBERSHIP
ON-THE-GO!
Public Performance
APR 2 11AM at theREP
In-School tour
MAR 21 - APR 15
Visit capitalrep.org for more info, or email Katherine Stephens,
Education Program Manager at [email protected]
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DID YOU KNOW?
Pre and Post-show
reception spaces
are available
As our way to thank you for your support, we offer a number
of benefits.*
• Invitation to the annual Donor Sneak Peek Preview Party
• Complimentary tickets
• Recognition on the donor wall in the lobby
• A private, behind the-scenes tour of Capital Repertory
Theatre for four
• A special dinner for two with the theatre’s Producing
Artistic Director
*Donor benefits based on donation level
For more information on membership, please contact
Carrie Kirkaldy • 518.382.3884 x 172 or email
[email protected]
NAKED INFLUENCE
photo by Richard Lovrich
• Recognition in all season playbills
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THE GROUP ADVANTAGE
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Note: discounts don’t apply to all shows, specific rules do apply
JANUARY 22 – FEBRUARY 14