Playwright Spotlight- Jennifer Jasper

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Playwright – Here, Gus (Quickies 17, June/July 2015)

Bio: Jennifer Jasper (Playwright) is an emerging playwright who recently relocated to Bennington, Vermont to pursue her writing, directing and performing. A collection of her short plays, Pressing Matters premiered Off Broadway in NYC in April. In 2016, her short play Eggs was a finalist for City Theatre’s National Short Play Award. Another short, Destination Unknown was produced in Live Girls! Quickies 2015. Her acclaimed short, Etymology was a winner in the 2014 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Theatre Festival. She has been a recipient of a GAP Artist Trust Grant, Willapa Bay Artist Residency and Jack Straw Artist Support Grant.

Where did the idea for your play come from?

I am forever searching for my story and along the way stumble upon others. This is one of those. It isn’t quite autobiographical, but is very close to me. I don’t want to say more because it needs to be told in it’s own words. (Which I know are mine.)

What was your favorite moment in working on this piece?

When the language of Gus became a painting. I surprised myself.

What’s the most interesting thing you have found on the street?

If only I were Scot Augustson, who was my roommate for seven years. He found a bottle of Dom Perignon. We drank it out of Flintstone Jelly glasses. So, just pretend my name is Scot.

If you could instantly find something today that you have lost in the past, what would it be?

My Barbie. She looked just like Mary Tyler Moore and had really cool mini skirts and go-go boots. I kept her case very organized. Mine is the only one missing – all of my other four sister’s have turned up.

What projects are you currently working on?

Me in Vermont. I just relocated after 30 years, so making new connections is a priority. I am interested in performing my solo work. I’m writing more of my stories down, so putting those in various forms and going back to work on some ideas I’ve put aside will keep me busy for awhile! Check out my blogsite: www.withinthestory.com

Finish this sentence- “I love theater that…”

Inspires me to want to do more. I love leaving a show and thinking about what I want to do next. I love when it energizes me rather than exhausts me.

What was the best advice you were given as a theater artist?

Trust your instinct. This continues to make my life an interesting one.

What is your favorite and least favorite word?

Favorite: Essence – it’s heavy but light at the same time. It’s loamy. Which is a really cool word and has now replaced essence. So. Loamy.

Least: Bivouac. Still bivouac. A missed word in a bee that bugs me to this day.

Outside of theater, what are you really into right now?

Listening. It’s quiet here. I can hear my footsteps.

Any other thoughts you’d like to share? (About Live Girls! Theater, Love, Life, Puppies, …really – anything at all?)

Never be afraid of change. I am still digesting my relocation and time in NYC working on “Pressing Matters,” but I am excited to see what will happen next. I also look forward to continuing to work with all of the amazing Seattle artists from afar! Thank you, Live Girls!