Writing is by its very nature, a solitary practice. Whether with pen and paper or in front of a computer screen, it is generally time spent alone, creating a world of characters and stories. Acting, on the other hand is generally a collaborative and shared effort in bringing those characters and stories to life. Psychologist Marti Olsen Laney says that writing and speaking use different pathways in the brain. Extroverts tend to speak more easily in front of others, while the writing pathways simply seem to flow more fluently and easily for introverts. So it is always a unique combination when a playwright becomes an actor or vice versa.
Jack began his theater career as an actor, but now primarily writes plays like Jericho and Poetic License, both critically-praised works for their dialogue. In our conversation, we talk about these two plays as well as some of the hard lessons he’s learned in producing plays in general. We also discuss the parallels between acting and writing, and how each one has helped improve the other. But like any creative endeavor, it’s a back-and-forth process of elimination, that includes being able to take feedback and comments. So with this episode I’m going to start sharing comments I get from listeners like you. Because whether its podcasting or playwriting, it’s important to highlight and expand upon what works and either improve or outright eliminate what doesn’t.
Timeline of this episode's conversation:
03:00 - Jack's start in playwriting
07:47 - Story #1: Learning from a harsh but accurate NY Times review
17:56 - Story #2: A high-profile play reading that didn't go as Jack had hoped
22:57 - The collaborative nature of playwriting
27:46 - Story #3: Jack's major stumble as an actor...in his own play
33:17 - Working with directors as a playwright (and actor)
Subscribe to WINMI
If you wanna listen to our full conversations with guests as well as get early access to episodes from now on, then become a monthly or yearly subscriber to Why I’ll Never Make It. Though producing this podcast is rewarding in its own way, I’m essentially a one-man operation, and it is both costly and time-intensive to put together each episode. So for just $5-10/month you’ll not only support these podcasting efforts, but you’ll also get to access to these extended conversations and other bonus content. Your financial support of this podcast is greatly appreciated:
Follow WINMI: Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
----------
Why I’ll Never Make It is an award-winning, Top 25 Theater Podcast hosted by Off-Broadway actor and singer Patrick Oliver Jones, and it is a production of WINMI Media, LLC. Background music in this episode by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Corrie Legge Shares How Choices Have Shaped Her Acting Career
Remembering Phantom of the Opera with Cast Member Jeremy Stolle (REWIND)
Michael Kushner Embraces and Defends the Multi-Hyphenate Performing Artist
Jocelyn Jones Helps Actors and Individuals Awaken Their Artistry and Creativity
Maestra and Their Efforts to AMPLIFY Women & Non-binary People in the Musical Theater
Lisa Howard on Originating Roles on Broadway and the Unjust Stigma Associated with Plus-Sized Actors
Sharon Catherine Brown (Part 2) - Performing in Milestone TV Shows & Knowing Our Worth as Actors
Sharon Catherine Brown (Part 1) - Born to Be a Drama Queen in Her Broadway Family
Blake Stadnik from ”This Is Us” Doesn’t Let His Disability Stop Him Onstage or in Life
Welcome to Season Seven!
Bettering Our Mindset with ”Dr. Drama” Alisa Hurwtiz, PsyD (REWIND)
Bettering our Acting Training and Practice with Brooke Macnamara (REWIND)
A Look Back at 2022
Angela Lansbury and Her Bumpy Road to MAME on Broadway
Jeremy Stolle Shares 15 Years at Phantom of the Opera and the Struggles He Faced Getting There
Simon Tam and The Slants Battle Asian Stereotypes and the Supreme Court
Ben Curtis Found Fame as the Dell Dude But Found Himself as the Wellness Dude
Elaine Romanelli Battles Criticism and Self-Doubt as a Singer and Songwriter
Jules Helm Explores Personal Growth and Self-Discovery On Stage and Off
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Marty Ray Project: Chats
What’s the Res?
The Creative Solutions Podcast
The Art of War
Black Beauty
The Magnus Archives
The Moth