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At my book launch, a very smart question came out of the Q&A (I’m paraphrasing): How do you view your accountability as a playwright with what you write about?
I definitely don’t remember verbatim what I answered, but because I STILL think about this question, I know that an a truer answer still needed to be answered.
If I thought about what my level of accountability is, then I don’t think I would write plays about social justice, community dynamics, or the political dos and don’ts of people. Not saying that I don’t discount this question. If I did, then I wouldn’t be thinking of this for this long (almost a month.) So, the answer isn’t as simple as saying, “I don’t think about taking any accountability in my work or who I am as a playwright.” In declaring that, it’d make me sound like a common commentator on social media–aka being a TROLL.
On the contrary, I aim to be more mindful than being thoughless in my work and the subjects I write about. BUT the difference is that I can’t have the wish or have the need that “my work will change anyone.” I can and do hope, but having the burden of, “I failed if my message doesn’t create action,” would be paralyzing. If I thought about the reaction by EVERY person in an audience, then where do I place the importance about MY FEELINGS–as a person and as an artist. As a self-professed people pleaser, I’ve needed to learn that I can’t, nor is it my responsibility to please people–aka write something to make everyone happy. Because, and learning the hard way, if I did, the most miserable person would be me. And I can’t have that.
But what I can do, is write for ME! From watching, reading, and learning from as many plays as I can, I taught myself to like what my being likes and reject what I don’t. And from there, to write the plays that I want to see that I haven’t seen written for the audiences I want to be a part of… and hopefully others will see that work’s reflected in them as well.
So, “How do you view your accountability as a playwright with what you write about?” I can only be accountable to myself to write the truth and how it will make ME feel first. And if I can share those same feelings and thoughts with an audience who can maybe groove with my stories, then I’m happy. Luckily, for over 30 years and 47 productions later, I’ve been more happy than not. Let’s go on a ride. On to the next. Never. Give. Up.