The Beauty & Challenges of Studying Caribbean Playwriting, Kay Kemp (PhD Candidate)

For our 2nd episode of Season 5, we interviewed (one of my cohort colleagues :)! and) first-year PhD student in the English Department, Theater Colloquium–– Kay Kemp. Together, we chatted about the beauty & challenges of studying Caribbean playwriting

Kay (they/them) explores postcolonial playwriting, and particularly research which encounters postcolonial play in diaspora, such as the writings of Africa and the Caribbean. Kay's research is colored both by their investment in the theoretical aspects of theater and their prior experience with postcoloniality in literature and political science courses, and by their practical experience in the field; Kay is a produced playwright, having written and staged work which has appeared in multiple festivals, including Off-Broadway. They are excited to be continuing their education at Columbia University, where they completed their undergraduate degree.

This season of MCN is funded by Columbia University’s Social Justice Mini Grant. Throughout this season, current graduate students at CU will speak to the complexity of identity through the lens of Black hair. My hope is that conversing about their graduate work rooted in International Relations, Playwriting, and various facets of Africana Studies can continue to expand the mission of MCN.

Overall, I’m interested in steering our creative research towards uncovering a clearer intersection between the Arts, Education & Development in a way that feels global, flexible, communal & accessible. I believe that it is possible and thank you Columbia University for the opportunity to expand this work 🙏🏾🤓.