Review Fix chats with playwright Maximillian Singh Gill who discusses the creative process and inspiration for his upcoming production “Debriefing,†which is scheduled for a run at this year’s Fringe Festival.
About the Production:
White Rabbit Productions and Ego Actus Theatre Company present the premiere of DEBRIEFING, a play by Maximillian Singh Gill, directed by Joan Kane, as part of the 2016 New York International Fringe Festival, performing at Theatro SEA, 107 Suffolk St, NYC on August 13 @ 2:15p.m.; August 15 @ 5:00 p.m.; August 19 @ 7:30 p.m.; August 22 @ 9:45 p.m.; August 24 @ 4:45 p.m.
Longtime colleagues, Bruce A! Kraemer and Andrew Rothkin have combined their efforts for the premiere of celebrated author, Maximillian Singh Gill’s, riveting new political drama, DEBRIEFING, making its New York bow at the 2016 New York Fringe Festival. DEBRIEFING, relates the story of a young Pakistani-American activist who was recruited to infiltrate a militant group in the Middle East. She disappears. Now her recruiter must find out whether she was betrayed … or did she just change sides? His discoveries make the situation far more complicated. In a time when the world is changing around us at a furious pace, this controversial piece is all-too timely.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this project?
Maximillian Singh Gill: I wanted a write a drama about an immigrant on a quest for a sense of belonging at a time when the notion of an immigrant’s place (particularly a Muslim immigrant) is a matter of much cultural and political debate. I also wanted to question the widely held belief that the values of the east are different from those of the west.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Gill: I force myself to write every day. If I’m not writing, I’m rewriting. If I’m doing neither of those, I’m thinking about what I want to write. Somehow, through this rigid discipline, creativity happens.
Review Fix: What makes this different or special?
Gill: The play is a classic spy yarn in terms of plot and has elements in common with current television shows and films on similar topics, but in this case the protagonist is not only an immigrant woman of color but is also an ordinary person thrust into a role she is not equipped for.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Gill: I found that I really had to dig deep into myself, contemplate my situation as an immigrant from South Asia, and think about my life’s journey. The process helped me understand the character of Aliya better as well as my own relationship with my adopted country.
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of something like this?
Gill: I am thrilled to collaborate with such a professional cast and crew in a festival with the international renown and reputation of the New York fringe.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?
Gill: My producing team, Ego Actus and White Rabbit, and I believe this story is very relevant to the present moment. We hope that this production will help to inspire meaningful introspection and discussion on these topics and that the play will eventually be picked up by other venues.
Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?
Gill: We are all, in some way, trying to find a way of belonging in our world. Aliya’s journey is thus relatable for everyone. I think our audiences will be engaged by the resonances in this play with current events but will ultimately be captivated by the strength of the characters.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Gill: I will continue writing about subjects that are important to me and that engage in a meaningful way with today’s complex world. Ego Actus is producing two plays in the United Solo Festival in the fall: Identity Paper by Bruce A. Kraemer and Moonage Day Dream by Mary Monahan. White Rabbit Productions has several works in development, including our third annual Halloween event.
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