19 Jun Interview with Patricia Cotter – Part2
We are back with the rest of our interview with Patricia Cotter, where we discuss her #BAPF2018 play The Daughters, plays that she keeps coming back to (to read, to review, to share…) & playwrights she admires!
Where does your interest in real-life stories come from?
I guess the intrigue of people living fully, yet never knowing where it will all lead but we do or we think we do. I’m interested in the space in between what we think happened and what really happened. It’s exciting to time travel and be in those rooms when the world was changing.
What was your catalyst for writing The Daughters?
I wanted to see the story of my people – my history. I truly felt like there was a disappearing and I wanted to catch it before it evaporated.
When did you first learn about the Daughters of Bilitis? What sparked your interest in writing about them?
I’ve known about them forever – just always hearing the names Del and Phyliss, but I think after their 2008 wedding they were more on my radar. My partner Katie interviewed them both years ago for a project (she works in casting) and told me how their book “Lesbian/Woman” had changed her life back in the day (there was a chapter about lesbian mothers – and she was a really young Mom trying to figure it all out,) that led me to more research.
This play (and some of your other work) could be categorized as historical fiction. What draws you to speculatively write about past events?
If it touches me personally if it illuminates what we are going through now, or if it pokes at something that I can’t stop thinking about. Now I’m really happy to write any play that takes place before cell phones and the internet.
This play was recently workshopped in our Rough Reading Series. What was the most valuable thing you learned from that experience? What can audience members from those readings expect to see differently this time?
I learned it’s not just a “gay” play – it has a broader reach than that. I learned that I need to deepen the characters in the second act. I learned that silent moments have power. I learned that I don’t need to worry about the laughs. I hope that audience members can expect a more complex play this time around.
What are you hoping to learn from The Daughters appearing in BAPF 2018?
I hope to learn more about the connectors between the past and the present.
What do you want audiences to take away from your work?
Hope. Wistfulness. Joy. Thoughtfullness about gender/sexuality/identity.
Which other #BAPF2018 play are you most excited to see? And why?
This sounds 100% cheesy, but truly all of them – I am especially excited to hear Jon’s piece – he’s a fellow RPI member and I’ve heard bits of the early stages of his play, so I’m excited to hear what he’s come up with since then.
Which other playwrights have inspired you?
Amy Herzog, Annie Baker, Suzan-Lori Parks, Paula Vogel, Taylor Mac, Sarah Ruhl, Wendy Wasserstein – I wish she had lived longer to see how her voice would have developed, Chekov, Ibsen, Sondheim,
What is your favorite play written by another playwright?
Mary Jane by Amy Herzog. So smart, so moving, so easy, yet complicated. I loved it so much I couldn’t even be jealous of her talent.
Which of your plays would you most like to revisit?
Best/Worst – it’s about the fear of being left behind and about the true definition of success.
Which one would you most like to see produced?
The Daughters – it’s the right time.
What’s next?
Finish my new play (Yet To Be Named Sisters Project) start a new musical about Cryonics.
Staged readings for The Daughters take place on July 21 at 12pm and July 29 at 6pm.
To get your tickets at a discounted price, purchase before June 30th!
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