Two stunningly powerful pieces about racialized police violence set the stage for this episode with DeLane McDuffie & Steve Harper. Moderated by Lower Depth Theatre Founding Member & Artistic Associate, Veralyn Jones. This month:
- Screenwriter & playwright DeLane McDuffie and TV writer & playwright Steve Harper read from two pieces that both examine racial violence.
- DeLane delves into his interest in poetry and history, and how he combined those two passions to write his poem, "Run On".
- Steve talks about how "What I Know" came from a play that explores contrasting perspectives on racial violence.
- Both writers chat about their favorite genres to write in.
- Steve discuss truisms & mission statements in real people translate into
- Steve compares his writing process to eating.
- DeLane explains how writing can be a catharsis and allow you to say what you need to say.
- DeLane expresses the simultaneous discomfort and excitement he feels when he doesn't know what is coming next in the story.
- Steve & DeLane share where they will find motivation when coming out of the pandemic.
- The writers bond over dealing with characters that just stubbornly refuse to go where they want them to go.
- Both writers give advice for upcoming writers.
Pieces read:
- Run On, poem by DeLane McDuffie
- Inspired by the string of police shootings and murders of black people in the spring of 2015.
- Monologue from "What I Know" by Steve Harper
- One half of a play called Black Lives / Blue Lives that explores opposite perspectives on racial violence
