Review Fix chats with “The Floor is Lava†director Glory Kadigan, who discusses the production and why millennial angst matters.
About The Production:
In high school, Sean was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.†Ten years later, and not where he expected to be in life, he reunites with his high-school buddies at the launch party of their friend’s hugely successful app. Set in a world consumed by social media, The Floor Is Lava follows a group of millennials struggling with success, jealously, and the true meaning of connection.
About Glory Kadigan:
Ms. Kadigan founded Planet Connections Theatre Festivity and served as the Producing Artistic Director for six seasons. Prior to founding Planet Connections, she worked as the Artistic Director of various other theater festivals in NYC. As the Producing Artistic Director of Planet Connections, she has presented 207 productions, 75 Staged Readings, 47 films and 67 bands. Under her leadership, Planet Connections has raised over six figures for 260 different charitable organizations including Safe Horizon, City Harvest, Amnesty International and more. Although no longer the Producing Artistic Director of the entire festivity – she still serves as the Artistic Curator and Executive Producer of the renowned Playwrights For A Cause benefit. Under “Playwrights For A Cause†she has presented world premiers by Erik Ehn, Halley Feiffer, Catherine Filloux, Israel Horovitz, Penny Jackson, Lyle Kessler, Neil LaBute, Wendy MacLeod, Winter Miller, Dominique Morisseau, Jose Rivera, John Patrick Shanley, David Stallings and Regina Taylor.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration/reasons for doing this play?
Glory Kadigan: Alex and I took a writing class together taught by Padraic Lillis. I’ve always loved Alex’s work and wanted to collaborate with
him.
The Floor is Lava was the most developed at the time we began talks with La Mama so, we’ve moved forward with that one. The piece had a fabulous workshop production at Plant Connections a couple of years ago which I saw and loved. But, this will be a new vision and interpretation of the piece. It has a completely new design and a completely new cast. I’m very excited about the work our design team is creating. My initial talks with Izzy Fields, a long time design collaborator of mine, have really been inspiring.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Kadigan: It depends on the play. My rehearsal process is geared towards the style of the play, energy of the the playwright, and the wishes of the presenting company.
Also, I’m usually connected to the music or sound design associated with a play. My sound designer, Jacob Subotnick and I have been collaborating for almost a decade now. He usually creates a mix of music – some of it goes into the actual production and some of it doesn’t but frequently I day dream about the play while listening to music. And then I also write about the characters and do various journaling exercises to help me think the way the characters think.
Review Fix: Millennials are still a new demographic. What makes them special?
Kadigan: Millennials are the future of our country and of humanity. They are more socially connected through technology than any other generation. And they’re smarter. There’s so much that can be learned just by these small computers we have in our hands. Information about – well just about any subject you can think of.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production ?
Kadigan: Having a great run at La Mama and perhaps beyond.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Kadigan: My off-broadway production Vivian’s Music 1969, continues to get picked up by various theaters. It will enjoy a month long run in Washington DC after a run at Guild Hall in East Hampton and Connecticut. And I’m in talks with Jose Rivera about a collaboration happening later this year. Also, I’m looking forward to spending another wonderful summer in La Mama Umbria - one of my absolute favorite places to create. This summer Anne Bogart, Tina Howe and Lisa Kron will be joining us which I’m very excited about.
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