Review Fix chats with playwright Kevin Clancy who discusses his upcoming production at this year’s MITF.
About the Production:
Veteran playwright Kevin Clancy presents this controversial new work about a transgender woman’s first attempt at intimacy in her current relationship. The play serves to set the stage for a dark discussion about identity and need. Mr. Clancy is an oft-awarded and nominated playwright  This is his second appearance at MITF with appearances at the Fringe Festival in-between.
About the MITF:
The Midtown International Theatre Festival returns for another summer of quality stage works. New York’s oldest continuing theater festival will present 100 plays in 23 days.
One of the leading reasons to visit New York in the summer is the theater – from Shakespeare in the Park to the best of Broadway. New York is also known for its amazing theater festivals. This year, the venerable Midtown International Theatre Festival takes its place as the oldest continuing summer arts festival in New York. To usher in this honor, producer John Chatterton presents nearly 100 new and fascinating live stage works – plays, musicals, variety acts, short plays, solo projects, and so much more. Visit www.midtownfestival.org for further info.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Kevin Clancy: In general, I start my playwriting process inspired by a strong emotion I have felt about something personal, than apply that emotion to a controversial or complicated situation or issue, and create a real time experience to explore that. I try to put myself in the position of each character to defend that person, regardless of their actions.
Review Fix: What makes this different or special?
Clancy: “Difficult Transition” is different from my other plays in that, while I always do research, I needed to speak directly to transgender women to be sure my words were accurate and not offensive. They have been very helpful and informative.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Clancy: I learned much, medically and emotionally, about the transition process thanks to their candid responses to reading the various drafts of my play.
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of something like this?
Clancy: This is my second time being involved in the MITF. In 2014, my play “Controlling Interest” was nominated for Best Short Script. I also had a full length play “Natural Causes” in the 2014 NYC Fringe Festival. I find the Festival experience invigorating and particularly enjoy meeting other theatre artists. I am very grateful to John Chatterton and the others who give us this opportunity, especially in New York.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?
Clancy: Ultimately, my goal for this play is for people to come away with a better understanding of Transsexuality specifically and of open mindedness in general about what is important in relationships. Any further life for the play after this is welcome, either in print or on stages anywhere.
Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?
Clancy: I’m frequently surprised by what audiences enjoy, or dislike, most about my plays. I have written 7 full length plays and 6 quartets of one acts, almost all of which, whether dramas or comedies, touch on hot button issues. I am always glad to see different, unexpected reactions, even to the same moments at different performances. I think all playwrights grow from that.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Clancy: I am a founding member of Darknight Productions, now in our 16th year, and we always have exciting new challenges each season. We have recently performed stage readings of new full length plays, one by me (“Unpopular Demand”) and one by Kelley Blessing (“You Don’t Know How It Feels”) which we hope to mount full productions of in the near future.
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