Review Fix chats with playwright Jacklyn Thrapp who discusses her production, “A Soldier’s Lover†at this year’s Midtown International Theatre Festival.
About “A Soldier’s Loverâ€:
A SOLDIER’S LOVER by Jacklyn Thrapp, directed by Heather Cole. The story takes place in the present time & the possible future, as a woman spends a year experiencing the reality of what it’s like to love a soldier overseas. (Comedy) Performance Schedule: Mon 3/7, 8:45pm; Tues 3/8, 8:15pm; Wed 3/9, 7:30pm
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this project?
Jacklyn Thrapp: The inspiration for this play came from a man I met in the summer of 2015. He was a Navy sailor on leave – I fell for him quickly and looked forward to his return from the military in the summer of 2016 but after a few months things didn’t work out – but my optimistic mind wanted to play out “what if” I did wait a year for his return.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Thrapp: I finished a good chunk of the script in one weekend but the script was uncompleted until I visited New York to produce my first Off-Off-Broadway play “A Christmas Fart.” I met a lot of random people during that first trip to New York. The people ranged from a drunk lawyer at a Deli at 4:00 a.m. to a dental assistant at a pizza place – they genuinely seemed interested in my play (when mentioned). Then I would look at my phone and realize a lot of good friends from back home never called once… while other acquaintances from back home texted all the time. It got me thinking “Just because you love someone… is that love returned? Even if it is, it is the love you want?” Once I got back from NYC I used that thought to re-write several scenes then I re-wrote & expanded “Johnny’s” lines. (FYI- special shout out to my family! They called me nearly every few hours during my trip. Best family ever!)
Review Fix: What makes this different or special?
Thrapp: I just wanted to write a play about what it’s like to believe in love. I’ve always been the type of person who pursued love – no matter what obstacles came her way – but unfortunately, I always find myself wanting to hold on in the times many people thought I should have let go. That’s why this play is special — it’s about trusting your heart… trusting in love.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through the process?
Thrapp: Without giving too much away about the play – I learned when you date someone you shouldn’t just ask yourself “how can I be there for them” you should also ask yourself “will they give me the love that I need?”
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of something like this?
Thrapp: Amazing. Four years ago I was sitting in Kearney, Nebraska working my first job as a writer in one of the smallest news station in the country and thought to myself “I’m never going to make it out of this stupid little town.” Now I’m producing a play in New York, at the Midtown International Theatre Festival?!?! It’s amazing.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?
Thrapp: I just want people to believe in love. If I can get one person to take a chance on love – I’ll be one happy playwright (and tell me when you do) As for the production’s future – that’s TBA. If we getting invited to MITF: Summer it’d be an honor. I also plan to send it to a publisher after the run.
Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?
Thrapp: The humor. This play sounds sad, and some parts are, but I’m a very humorous person so if you’re not crying you’re laughing.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Thrapp: In the works right now is a sitcom pilot, a feature film script and more plays (Off-Broadway fingers crossed). I’m also making plans to move to Manhattan in the late summer/early fall of 2016.
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