Marcus Harmon: Playwright/Artist
What do you love about theater?
The thing I love most about theater is the unfiltered raw human experience that can be revealed through the writing and acting. To me theater should be an experience for the audience and the artist participating in its creation. Theater should be an escape from reality but also an acknowledgement of our human experiences. I love that there are really no limitations as a writer. I can say things in my play that would be taboo if said out loud in our daily lives.
What inspired you to write this play?
I wrote EDIN after a time of deep personal loss in my life. I had a few very close family members pass away in a short time and I was left feeling disillusioned and hopeless. I had all these thoughts and emotions running through my mind and I did not know how to deal with the things that were going on. Through writing EDIN I found a great sense of comfort and clarity in the emotions I was feeling. Through the lives of the characters in the play I was able to say how I felt and hear what I needed to hear to start a process of healing.
What is the play about (without giving anything away)?
The play is about the idea of how far a person would go protect their sense of comfort. It's about how sometimes in life it may seem easier to lie to yourself and others than to face reality and the consequences that arise from that decision.
What is the main lesson you’ve learned from the process of writing and producing a play?
I've learned that you must never stop until it's completed. If it takes 3 days or three years, finish it and work on it until you are 100% happy with it. Remember why you made it and never lose that original drive and idea you had that inspired you to create it in the first place. Trust yourself and the person you were when you started the path. I also learned that you have to be very patient when being the captain of any ship. As a writer and producer of a play you are doing many roles and have to be on and 100% committed day in and day out. Professional and creative, honest and understanding with your team.
This was my debut play and it was accepted into the NY Theater Festival then months later Covid happened so the play has been delayed for a year now. I stayed optimistic for the plays sake and my actors. The festival is still happening this summer and I can't wait for the world to see it. I've learned that in life things happen, the most unexpected and sometimes traumatic events, though it can be difficult as hell you must do your best to not let these events derail your hard work or your creative aspirations.
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EDIN Play: https://www.instagram.com/
Marcus Harmon: http://www.instagram.com/
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