writer's journal and pen

What Spilled from the Margins and Onto This Site

Posted on by Conrad

Image by Phuong Luu from Pixabay

WELGA: A Filipino American Playwrights Journey is coming out and while, I love what I’ve written, I think a part of me was guarded, maybe too guarded, about saying who I am as person and somewhat as a writer. So, as a way to add more content, I wanted to use this space to cover some of the things that didn’t get covered on the printed pages. Not to discount any of that because everything I wrote was a part of my journey, but some of the topics I’ll be covering below as the year(s) unfold, will be here as a record of my growth as an artist and person.

In full transparency, these lists were created in AI from Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT using the prompt: These are my bio and artist statements. Based on the below information, give me a list of 20 topics on what I can use as subjects to blog about on my website.

From Gemini:

Creative Process & Craft

  1. The Play-to-Page Journey: A look at the process of preparing the WELGA collection for its 2026 publication.
  2. Writing the “Unseen” Story: How to research and dramatize Filipinx-American history for the modern stage.
  3. From Stage to Screen: My personal roadmap for transitioning from playwriting to filmmaking in 2026.
  4. Hearing the Dialogue: How using text-to-speech tools like DialogueLab can reveal flaws in a script’s rhythm.
  5. The Anatomy of a Diner: How food and setting serve as characters in Daryo’s All-American Diner.
  6. The 10-Minute Challenge: Lessons learned from being a finalist at the National Ten-Minute Play Festival.

Representation & Industry

  1. The Representation Gap: Why writing lead roles for Filipinx-American actors is a political act.Insight: In major regional theaters, Asian American actors often represent less than 7% of all roles cast, despite the rich diversity of the talent pool.
  2. Building the “Chikahan”: The importance of creating companies and spaces dedicated to artists of color.
  3. Navigating the Dramatists Guild: A playwright’s guide to finding community and professional resources.
  4. The Award Circuit: What winning a BroadwayWorld Award taught me about the difference between “success” and “impact.”

Community & The Bay Area

  1. Bindlestiff Studio: The vital role of resident artist programs in fostering local theater.
  2. The “Dialogue” Goal: How to use post-show talkbacks to foster actual understanding among diverse audiences.
  3. Chicago vs. The Bay: Comparing the theater scenes and creative energy of two major American hubs.
  4. Supporting Local: A spotlight on the theater organizations (like CATS and CIRCA Pintig) shaping the Asian American narrative.

The Writer’s Lifestyle

  1. The Marathon Mindset: How training for the San Francisco Marathon 5K mirrors the endurance needed for a second draft.
  2. The Best Writing “Offices”: A tour of the Alameda and Bay Area coffee shops that fueled my latest scripts.
  3. Non-Dairy & New Drafts: Why a change of scenery (and a good soy latte) is the best cure for writer’s block.
  4. The Collaborative Court: What playing pickleball can teach a playwright about teamwork and communication.
  5. 8-Bit Inspiration: How retro gaming narratives influence the pacing and structure of modern plays.
  6. The Pivot Year: Why 2026 is the right time to embrace new mediums and creative risks.

From Claude:

Based on your bio and artist statements, here are 20 blog topics that align with your work and mission:

  1. The journey of writing “Daryo’s All-American Diner” – from concept to award-winning production
  2. Why Filipino American stories matter in contemporary American theatre
  3. Building community through theatre: lessons from producing work in the Bay Area
  4. The challenges and rewards of writing culturally specific work for mainstream audiences
  5. How my MFA at SFSU shaped my voice as a Filipino American playwright
  6. Collaborating with Filipino American theatre companies: spotlight on Bindlestiff Studio
  7. The importance of creating opportunities for actors of color in regional theatre
  8. Writing comedy as cultural commentary: reflections on the New Voices in Comedy fellowship
  9. What “representation” really means – beyond casting to authentic storytelling
  10. The role of dialect and language in crafting authentic Filipino American characters
  11. Navigating the playwriting contest circuit as a playwright of color
  12. How family stories and immigrant experiences inspire my work
  13. Creating accessible theatre for diverse socioeconomic audiences
  14. The evolution of Filipino American theatre from the 1990s to now
  15. Writing historical versus contemporary Filipino American narratives
  16. The collaborative process: working with directors and actors to honor cultural authenticity
  17. Why ten-minute plays matter for developing new voices and testing ideas
  18. Building a sustainable career as a regional playwright outside of New York
  19. The power of comedy to address serious social issues in my plays
  20. Fostering dialogue after the curtain falls: post-show conversations and community engagement

From ChatGPT:

Craft & Process (Playwright-Focused)

  1. Why I Write Plays for the Stage—and Not Anywhere Else
    The unique power of live theatre to build empathy and community.
  2. Writing Filipinx-American Characters Beyond Trauma
    Humor, joy, contradiction, and everyday life as radical storytelling.
  3. Comedy as a Tool for Cultural Truth-Telling
    How laughter opens doors to harder conversations.
  4. From Idea to Production: My Playwriting Process
    A transparent look at outlining, drafting, workshops, and rewrites.
  5. What Awards Actually Do (and Don’t Do) for a Playwright
    Demystifying validation, visibility, and momentum.
  6. How I Develop New Work While Working a Full Life
    Time, discipline, burnout, and sustainability.

Representation, Identity & Community

  1. Why Filipinx-American Stories Belong in the American Canon
    Not “niche”—necessary.
  2. Who Gets to Be the Center of the Story?
    Power, visibility, and whose lives are staged.
  3. Writing for Artists of Color: Responsibility vs. Freedom
    Navigating expectation without self-censorship.
  4. Theatre as a Space for Intergenerational Dialogue
    Elders, memory, and cultural inheritance on stage.
  5. Socio-Economic Class on Stage (and Why It’s Often Avoided)
    How class intersects with race in your work.

Industry & Career Transparency

  1. What Being a Resident Artist Actually Means
    The benefits, challenges, and realities behind the title.
  2. Submitting Plays: What I’ve Learned the Hard Way
    Rejections, near-misses, and staying sane.
  3. Chicago vs. Bay Area Theatre: What I’ve Observed
    Cultural differences, opportunities, and audiences.
  4. Why Community-Based Theatre Still Matters
    Beyond prestige and commercial success.
  5. Navigating Institutions as a Playwright of Color
    Fellowships, gatekeeping, and advocating for yourself.

Audience, Impact & Purpose

  1. What I Hope Audiences Take With Them After the Curtain Call
    Community, questions, discomfort, connection.
  2. When a Play Starts a Conversation That Continues Outside the Theatre
    Moments that affirmed your mission.
  3. Why Representation Behind the Scenes Matters as Much as Onstage
    Directors, designers, dramaturgs, and leadership.
  4. What Success Looks Like for Me (Right Now)
    Redefining success outside mainstream metrics.