Working with the Playwright
OK so we know that Pronoun is a good play! And getting to meet other directors we can also see that there is a real buzz about it. Evan Placed is a humble unassuming young man. He clearly had a vision for the piece but is not precious about it. He understands for it to have full impact with as many young people as possible that we need to own our interpretation. He wrote the play because he’d identified a gap in industry, that male teen trans were just not represented…at all. One message that came across loud and clear from the workshop was as long as we tell the story in the most truthful honest way we can we’ll be successful. The two directors from the national theatre were also very passionate about it. Tell the story, stay true to the story. Understand that its a romantic Comedy, some of it is very much intended to be funny. We need to realise Dean is very certain of himself, this is not a coming out story, Dean is not confused, neither is he perfect, we should not put him on a pedestal. As much it deals with big issues, what they aren’t looking for us to do is preach to our audience that discussions for the audience will come if we play the truth of each moment. Evan talked us through a few aspects of the play which obviously I’ll share when I get back to college. One thing is certain that even if we don’t make it to the National this play is going to be very worth while.