08 Apr Interview with a Playwright: Peter Sinn Nachtrieb
1) Where do you most often find inspiration?
From cardiovascular exercise, from actors, from news, from pop culture, from sleepless nights, from music, from non fiction reading, from public transit, from past experiences, and often in the time between when I get in bed and when I go to sleep.
2) What one tip can you offer aspiring playwrights?
Be willing to look at your writing as a separate entity from yourself. Thus when making the big cuts and changes that you must make it won’t feel like you’re cutting your leg off. It’s much easier when you think you’re cutting the leg off your child.
3) How did you get your start in playwriting? Where and when was this seed planted?
From a combined love for theatre and comedy. I started as an actor in plays and musicals as well as being a fan of comedy records, Monty Python, Douglas Adams, etc.. Sketch comedy was my first real writing for stage, then solo performances, then a one act, then short and full length plays when i started wanting to write parts that i would not be particularly good at performing.
4) What was your most embarrassing high school moment?
Performing a scene from David Mamet’s “Edmond” at school assembly. The one where he strangles the waitress.
5) Beckett or Stoppard? One word only please.
Yes.
Peter Sinn Nachtrieb is a San Francisco-based playwright whose works include boom (TCG’s most produced play 2009-10), T.I.C. (Trenchcoat In Common) , Hunter Gatherers (2007 ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award, 2007 Will Glickman Prize), Colorado, and Multiplex. His work has been seen off-Broadway and…
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