Behind ‘Bard of the Bronx’ » An interview with director Kathleen Duborg Cheryl Minns Arts Editor Marts@theotherpress.ca he Douglas College theatre program presents its second production of the semester, Bard of the Bronx: John Patrick Shanley in Perspective. The play features scenes from Shanley’s notable works, including Moonstruck, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Women of Manhattan, Doubt: A Parable, Italian American Reconciliation, and Savage in Limbo. The Other Press spoke with visiting director Kathleen Duborg about the play and her experience directing her first Douglas College production. Q: What can you tell us about these particular works from John Patrick Shanley? A: There are differences in all of them. We start with one of Shanley’s early plays, Savage in Limbo, which is a rather bizarre, surrealistic script that he wrote in 1984. Then there’s the Pulitzer prize-winning Doubt. It’s a very : different style that he’s writing : in that one, so it’s absolutely : terrific to see that development, : and change, and subtlety. Danny : and the Deep Blue Sea is an : incredible play, and probably : his most produced play after : Doubt. It’s an early one with : such phenomenal characters. : Q: Bard of the Bronx : isan anthology play that : consists of multiple stories : instead of one linear plot. : How do you think this play : choice affects the actors? A: Oftentimes, a number : of actors cannot be featured as : much because there are often : only one or two protagonists. In : this instance, what we get is 15 : characters, all with really full, : intensive journeys and needs : that an actor gets to play out. : That doesn’t always happen : fora cast or a grouping of that : many people. We've got eight ? actors and 15 characters, so : it’s that balance of things. Q: What is it like directing your first : Douglas College play? A: It is fabulous. It’s a really lovely group of people. What’s : really nice is you're coming : into an institution that has a : very active, full, and dynamic : stagecraft department where : they’re utilizing all those design : elements. It’s got students in all : areas and great professionals : and mentors to help bring the : world, which these students are : going into, into a sharper view for : them in the professional sense. Q: What do you think Douglas College : students will take away : from this production? A: My hope is that : they see the craft and : hard work put into it. Bard of the Bronx: John : Patrick Shanley in Perspective : will be running November : 13-20 in the Laura C. Muir : Performing Arts Theatre at : the Douglas College New : Westminster campus. Tickets are $20 each ($10 for students) and are : available through Tickets : New West at TicketsNW.ca ae ER LL iia / HO Rt ER COC eae Mes Ca Be bo —r. s a ie eet meta gs creme Ee Le ea Bo ee Be tp beg ee ee ete November 13-20, 2015 7:30pm Seer es a a y, Movember 14, 2pm Monday, November 16, 12pm TALKBACK Write here, write now at write-ins » November writing sessions in New Westminster and Burnaby Cheryl Minns Arts Editor M arts@theotherpress.ca his November, as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Lower Mainland libraries, coffee shops, restaurants, and SkyTrains are filling up with amateur and professional writers each attempting to create a manuscript in a month. These write-in events invite writers of all skill levels and genres—be it a novel, autobiography, or short story collection—to join other writers in the pursuit of finishing a first draft. In New Westminster and Burnaby, there are write-ins to suit writers’ various interests and needs, including food-focused writing sessions, outgoing get- togethers, quiet gatherings, and a writing event on the SkyTrain. Sushi Write-In: This is the event for hungry writers who enjoy a light snack or a whole meal while writing. The event will take place at Sushi Well (26A Fourth St., New Westminster) on November 11 from 7-9 p.m. This write-in will be held in a private room in the restaurant, so writers will have plenty of quiet time to work on their literary masterpieces while : they enjoy a variety of sushi. BPL McGill Branch : Write-In: This weekly write- : in isa great place for outgoing : writers to meet other local : wordsmiths. Every Monday, a : lively group of writers meets : in the Program Roomat the : Burnaby Public Library McGill : Branch (4595 Albert St., Burnaby) : from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Spirited : conversations, free refreshments, : and timed word sprints are only : the beginning for this write-in. : As an added bonus for : writers who have work they : would like to share, the McGill : Branch will be hosting a : Writers’ Open Mic night on : December 7 from 6:30-8 p.m. : Those who want to join in are : encouraged to sign up in person : at 6:30 p.m. at the event. BPL Bill Prittie Metrotown Branch Write-In: Writers who : long for a quiet writing session : among friends should check out : this write-in. A small group of : writers meets every Thursday : from 5-7 p.m. at a table on the : first floor of the library (6100 : Willingdon Ave., Burnaby) to : discuss their story projects, build : up their word counts, and have : friendly conversations. Be sure : to look for the NaNoWriMo sign to find the group’s table. Other Eleven Months : Write-In: Writers who want : to commit more time to their : written works should try this : write-in held every Sunday : from 1 a.m.-1 p.m. at Waves : Coffee House (715 Columbia St., : New Westminster). The Other : Eleven Months group has a room : reserved at the back of the coffee : house for writers to enjoy their : writing and their coffee in peace. : Unlike the other November- : only write-ins, this write-in : continues throughout the year. Transit Write-In: Writing : is no longera stationary activity : with this write-in, which : takes place on the SkyTrain on wn a a ot = es uw @ Ss Oo > 2 ° 2 ° ac a : November 14. The ride begins : at Waterfront Station at 1 a.m. : where writers will fill a SkyTrain : car and begin building their word : counts. The group’s location : will be updated frequently : on their Twitter account (@ : Vancowrimo) for writers who : wish to hop onat other stations. : The ride will last until 3 p.m.