A collage of five people in colorful circles on a black background, each headshot framed by a different bright color: yellow, orange, blue, pink, and purple. A purple bar is at the top and a yellow-green bar at the bottom.

Writing Across Forms: A Conversation with Author-Playwrights

Throughout the twentieth century, it was common for writers to work across forms. Now, however, there is a void between the role of “author” and “playwright” that few dare cross.

Daniel Kehlmann (The Director), Sarah Ruhl (Letters from My Teachers), Betty Shamieh (Too Soon), and Jeremy Tiang (State of Emergency) are some of those rare artists. Playwright MJ Kaufman, currently at work on their first novel, will lead them in a conversation examining the reasons behind this curious divide, and what it means to reject it.

Join them as they discuss how they choose the form best suited for a particular idea, the differences between writing words to be read and words to be heard, and approaching  work presented by a team of other creatives versus imparted directly from them to their audience.