Interviews from NCPLab Fest | Pt. 2
Enjoy part 2 of our interviews with this year’s festival playwrights! For part 1 go here.
Nick Valdes
Tell me a little bit about yourself as a theatremaker and how you got involved with NCPLab!
I am a local Actor, Director, and Writer driven by the need to tell stories that make people think about the problems outside the theatre with the hope that it allows for some introspection, and allows for them to engage in conversation with people they may disagree with. I guess I’m drawn to the opposite of theatre as escapism. I don’t really remember how I got involved with the lab. I think either Krystal or Ernesto had encouraged me to come to a few of the meetings back when we could gather in person and share some ideas. In fact, if it wasn’t for the Lab, I don’t know if I would have had the courage to write the full-length play (TPEoTAP) I’m currently editing!
What are some of your favorite playwrights and artistic influences?
Some of my favorite playwrights include Sarah Kane, Harold Pinter, Duncan MacMillan; but some other influences are artists like Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden, Gojira, Queens of the Stone Age, David Fincher, Edgar Wright, Joshua Jean-Baptiste, Armando Santana, the DIY art scene, podcasts etc. I can gush about other artists until the end of time, but I suppose I have to stop somewhere. I am also heavily inspired by whatever seems to be happening in the political world, I always have been and I don’t really know why…I can’t recall any of my family members ever talking about politics when I was younger but…here I am.
What inspired your play/any other thoughts or feelings you want to share about it?
One of the prompts for the October lab was to write a scary play. I knew I wanted to write about a lobotomy (spoilers), but I couldn’t quite figure out what the angle was, so I passed on it. Then, about a month later, Last Podcast on The Left (another influence!) did a series diving into the life and work of Walter Freeman—talk about timing! This happened during the protests, and a nasty election cycle that would have made Thanksgiving very uncomfortable had there not been a pandemic. So, I channeled my frustration, or grievances into it. I was interested in which morals we seem to relax in exchange for some sort of comfort, and the hypocrisy of supporting the very thing we say we’re against as long as it affects “the other side”. It is a very angry piece, perhaps not my angriest, but still.
What does NCPLab mean to you, and how do you find that lab has affected your artistic process?
The Lab has really helped push me past my insecurities over sharing the things I’m working on. I spend a lot of time laboring over the words, but given the deadline in between labs, it really helps me write a little more freely without the worry of making it perfect. I guess it reminds me that, in the end, it’s just a first draft!
What’s something besides theatre that you’re passionate about?
Other than the state of our political system, I am very passionate about playing guitar badly, and writing bad songs. I am also intensely passionate about physical media. I’ve been collecting movies and music (CDs then, records now) since I was a child, and when Netflix came about it was a running joke that I was foolish for collecting when I could just rent or stream, or download movies onto a digital library instead of a literal one. I like owning physical copies, and not waiting on the whims of some streaming site. Plus, it’s fun when someone sees that I have a movie they want to watch, or haven’t seen since they were a kid. I’m normally always down to watch it in that moment, or let them borrow it.
Dog person or cat person?
Can I just be locked in a room with both please?
Anything else you’d like to shout into the void?
You may not know it, but 2022 is an election year. Your representatives are up for re-election, and/or are being challenged. Please look into your races and candidates, and vote (and volunteer if you have the time)! And please, if you’re not liking what you’re seeing, consider running for local offices yourself and be the change you want to see.
Michael Gioia
Tell me a little bit about yourself as a theatremaker and how you got involved with NCPLab!
I don't know if I am a theatremaker per se. In my opinion, for what that's worth, I don't believe an individual makes theatre. There must be collaboration. I do participate in several of the components of theatre but without others it's not really complete. It is this collaboration that "makes theatre" and that absolutely includes an audience as a vital part. I encountered New City Players while doing a play with Thinking Cap at The Vanguard. NCP was running "Clybourne Park" at the time and we were actually rehearsing on their set for a while. So I thought, maybe I should see this show? I got a ticket, participated as an audience member and I was hooked. I've seen every show since.
What are some of your favorite playwrights and artistic influences?
There are plenty of playwrights I admire. I have, most likely, been influenced by every playwright I’ve encountered. That said, these 4 make me happy; Lanford Wilson, Harold Pinter, Beth Henley, John Guare. As an actor, director and with my new delectation as a playwright, I tend to gravitate toward plays that focus primarily upon character and relationships.
What inspired your play/any other thoughts or feelings you want to share about it?
I wanted to find a way to explore a relationship that wouldn't naturally happen without a unique circumstance. So I put these two people together in a room and let them discover each other. The play began as an acting exercise at my acting school. I would write character sketches for our students in the Ensemble Program as part of their showcase production. Since then it had been sitting in a folder in my computer until the pandemic hit and NCP began their online Lab readings. I pulled it up, expanded it a bit and presented it to be read. I guess you could say without NCPLab, it would still be sitting in that folder.
What does NCPLab mean to you, and how do you find that lab has affected your artistic process?
As I mentioned in the answer to the previous question, NCPLab provides a means to play with creating character; conjuring them up, creating relationships, putting them in situations and letting them find their way around. In addition to rediscovering almost forgotten plays, NCPLab has challenged me to write new pieces, inspired by the monthly prompts. During a sheltered time in our community, the Lab became a lifeline to remain connected and enrich one's self in unexpected ways. I mean, me? A playwright?
What’s something besides theatre that you’re passionate about?
I'm a big football nerd. American football. I follow it closely.
Dog person or cat person?
Both and neither, to be honest. I grew up with dogs. I kind of like dogs and for some reason they seem to really like me. I did live with a couple of cats briefly. So cats are okay too, I guess. I don't have any pets now mainly because I would hate to be my pet. I live in a small condo. What kind of life would that be? For the pet.
Anything else you’d like to shout into the void?
I’d like to thank New City Players for NCPLab and for this production opportunity. Also, I have a website: michaelgioia.com. It sorely needs an update but there is stuff about me should one desire to know more.
Jenora Hamilton
Tell me a little bit about yourself as a theatre-maker and how you got involved with NCPLab!
I graduated from FAU with a BFA in Theatre Performance and have been working on short films since. I was introduced to NCPLab through a post on instagram where they asked for a short play and gave a prompt. I thought it was fun and challenging and decided to submit.
What are some of your favorite playwrights and artistic influences?
I love August Wilson! His plays are raw and personable. I've recently got into Moliere and Lope de Vega. I'm very much into period pieces and their humor.
What inspired your play/any other thoughts or feelings you want to share about it?
The prompt was simple: write a short play that included the line "We're back." Now, I'm an overthinker and started writing 3 different scenarios with the same characters. I love plot twists so I though about how I could incorporate one. I also like high stakes, suspense and a good chase. There's always been something rugged and mysterious about a motel room. I thought, what would happened if I put two best friends there and their security and trust is tested? This play isn't perfect, but it's the first one I've written in years and it felt good.
What does NCPLab mean to you, and how do you find that lab has affected your artistic process?
NCPLab has been full of inspiration with new plays and new people. It's good to be in a community where you can share your ideas. There's been gasping, laughing and crying. It reminded me that I used to love writing stories and gave me the motivation to continue.
What’s something besides theatre that you’re passionate about?
Traveling and trying new things. This past year I've been traveling a lot and having great experiences with amazing people.
Dog person or cat person?
Why not both?
Anything else you’d like to shout into the void?
I hope you'll enjoy these plays!
Natalie Cabo
Tell me a little bit about yourself as a theatre-maker and how you got involved with NCPLab!
I didn't go to school for theatre. I actually got a degree in Business Administration and Sociology, so I never thought theatre would be such a huge part of my life but here we are. I act, direct, and am now exploring how to write for the stage. Krystal Valdes was the one who invited me to NCPLab, and I am so grateful because it was a great way to explore my ability to write stories in a safe and comfortable environment.
What are some of your favorite playwrights and artistic influences?
I wouldn't say I have favorite playwrights or specific artistic influences. I appreciate a lot of them, and if I had to name, I would say I've read most of Nilo Cruz' plays and really love the classics like Shakespeare, and Jacobean tragedies. But I am mostly inspired by my friends who are artists. One of my favorite things about any work of art is authentic expression/true individuality. I've had the luck to be surrounded by so many friends and local artists who constantly inspire me because I am able to recognize that in their work. Also, there's something nice about undiscovered talent that I can relate to and be inspired by.
What inspired your play/any other thoughts or feelings you want to share about it?
The play came from an "Earth Day" prompt and that really got me thinking about our relationship to Earth. I wanted to express the anxiety that comes with living on our planet, knowing that our existence (because of the way we live) ultimately hurts it. I tried to humanize earth and thought: If earth was human and we were in a relationship, what would that look like? So in a broad sense of the play, I wrote about this complicated relationship to reflect that. I'm a huge fan of symbolism, imagery, and metaphors so it was fun to include that. Another aspect of this play is this very messy human relationship which explores how to love someone and still have boundaries. It is a love that can't be because it is damaging, but it will always be there. I'm an observer and at the time, I was witnessing a relationship just like this. The characters reflect people I know.
What does NCPLab mean to you, and how do you find that lab has affected your artistic process?
NCPLab was such a great way to start writing more seriously. I don't really know if I ever would've started without lab. Lab helped me explore my voice as a writer and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am very grateful for it and for everyone at NCP for starting it.
What’s something besides theatre that you’re passionate about?
I'm very passionate about spreading awareness about the situation in Cuba (#SOSCUBA). I also love psychology and philosophy; but more than that, I am passionate about food. I really, really love food.
Dog person or cat person?
I'm allergic to both, but I have to say cat person.
Anything else you’d like to shout into the void?
FUCK IT I'M A BAD BITCH... sorry, really had the urge.
For tickets to the NCP Lab Short Play Festival, click here. All seven plays will be performed live at the outdoor patio of Cyth & Co. coffee and cocktail cafe from 7:30–9pm on Feb 17, 18, 19 and 20. Cyth & Co. is located at 3446 NE 12th Ave., Oakland Park 33334. For directions and menu go to cythco.com.