Hannah Kitchens

Meet Hannah Paige Kitchens, Author of Snapshot (2017 Cupcake Spring Readings  YPP EDITION)

BIO: Hannah Paige Kitchens has been featured as a Seattle Youth Poet Laureate finalist for 2016, been selected to have work on Seattle Metro’s 2017 run of Poetry on Buses, and has now written her first play. She owns way too many Sharpies and is off-the-walls-excited to attend Columbia College Chicago in the Fall of 2017.

WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR YOUR PLAY COME FROM?

Last April, my uncle was murdered. I hadn’t seen him in about ten years, so it was kind of a weird thing to process. I knew it hurt my mom a lot, to lose her little brother. I wanted to pay homage to him, and explore my grief, and help my mom, all at once, and I think I did exactly that.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT IN WORKING ON THIS PIECE?

I loved getting to explore the character of Adam. His actions and personality is something I’ve been workshopping for five years, and it felt amazing to find somewhere for him and his quirks.

WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

I’m making an art magazine with my poetry and photography (which isn’t just by me, some of my friends have featured photos). I’m gathering material for a second play! Sam Tudor-Hidy is a very good friend of mine who I’m collaborating with on some top secret film projects.

FINISH THIS SENTENCE “I LOVE THEATER THAT…”

Challenges the expected and pushes the boundaries of your original perception when it comes to a stage production.

WHO IS YOUR CURRENT ARTIST CRUSH (ANY DISCIPLINE)?

I’m constantly inspired by the frontman of L.A. band, Say Anything, Max Bemis. He is a part of so many music projects, writes incredibly poignant comic books, and keeps reminding me that as an artist, I can always grow and evolve.

WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE YOU WERE GIVEN AS A THEATER ARTIST?

To suspend your disbelief! Learning about Shakespeare in middle school provided me with a jumping off point as an artist in that respect. I learned that my words are creating a whole new concept, world, and perspective for my audience.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU KNOW AS AN ARTIST NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Wow. Loaded question. I think if I had to narrow it down, I would tell myself not to be afraid. To trust my gut instinct, even if you can’t pinpoint where you’ll be in the end. That’s just fine.

OUTSIDE OF THEATER, WHAT ARE YOU REALLY INTO RIGHT NOW?

I’ve been listening to the podcast My Brother, My Brother, and Me! And I just finished watching Mad Men on Netflix- does that count?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE WORD?

My favorite is “flourish”, least favorite is, and this is most likely due to the fact that I’m a teenager and catch myself saying it a lot, “like”.