Save Our Theatre

With Tony Howell

What inspired you to write this play?

I've wanted to do a story about a multi-generational acting family for some time, especially from the viewpoint of a totally-obsessed family who deals very rarely with reality but practically lives their entire lives in the actual theatre building. However, all my beginnings seemed to fade into nothing. When the conflict of the theatre being threatened appeared in my head, everything else finally fell into place and "Save Our Theatre" was born. In fact, the working title was The Talented Templetons for several years, but as I finished the script, I also realized that the Templetons are not really the stars, but it's their theatre that is the real center of attention and so the title changed as well.

What's your favorite part or line in the play?  Why?

Grandma was so much fun to write. I could pull speeches from all over Shakespeare and since she's supposedly going senile, they didn't even have to fit the storyline. It was also very entertaining to suddenly find that a speech I'd already chosen really did fit the scene. Those discoveries made Grandma a great character to work with.

Where did the characters come from? Are they based on people you know?

I grew up in a large family with four siblings, six cousins that we spent lots of time with, aunts, uncles and grandparents that were very much a part of our lives as well. So, while the characters were not based on anyone specific, large families are always fun for me to write because the dynamics have always fascinated me. Family will have your back, and yet be furious with you at the same time. That always leads to fun drama.

What did you try to achieve with this play?

While the show will work great for high schools, I wrote it specifically for community theatre with a variety of ages having a place in the cast. I really wanted to capture that feeling of family/community, of many ages coming together, of a shared goal among many people. I wanted it to be entertaining for the audience, but especially for the cast with everyone having fun scenes to play. I also love the fact that there is not set but the theatre, so all the attention is focused on the actors.

Do you have anything else you'd like to add?

I think this is a tribute to casts everywhere. Staging shows frequently feels like disaster is looming, but then the cast and crew pulls together and creates a positive experience despite all the hurdles and landmines thrown in front of them. I think the perseverance of theatre people is a very important thread in the story.