Meet Anuhea Brown, author of The Pigs in Trench Coats (2018 Cupcake Fall Readings)
Where did the idea for your play come from?
The idea of my play came from a 2 minute speed biography that I wrote for one of the characters in the play, specifically the character of Junie. In that many of my favorite pieces of art were weaved in together such as Twin Peaks, American Beauty, and poems from Ann Sexton, these were all crucial pieces of art when I was a teenager and wanted to find a way to incorporate them.
What was your favorite moment in working on this piece?
The most self indulgent and rewarding part of working on this piece is finishing it and having it read aloud for the very first time. Seeing what choices actors can create with a piece of your writing is comparable to me of butter melting on bread. When the pieces of the puzzle starts to remotely fit, that’s when you know you have something even if it isn’t everything right.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on my last show at Cornish College of the Arts titled “Men On Boats” by Jacklyn Backhaus. This show features the direction of the wonderful Bobbin Ramsey and will debut in November. The show aims to explore femme and queer theory by illustrating The Powell Expedition, a journey of ten men who explore the Green and Colorado river, with actors who identify with everything other than cis white males. Jacklyn Backhaus who is was featured on the 2015 Kilroy’s list, does an incredible job of illustrating concepts of colonialism, racism, and imperialism through the lens of femme and non conforming individuals.
Finish this sentence: “I love theater that…” is fun, and that constantly pushes the boundaries of what theatre is and can be. I had a teacher once remark of the death of American Theatre with our inability to play. To take a piece of work and expand it to its full capacity. I like theatre that shocks me. I like theatre that makes me angry. I like theatre that aims to give me 110 percent. I like theatre that takes risks. I like theatre that is rooted in the complex relationships of human beings. Theatre that is collaborative, honest, and extremely specific makes me grateful to be an artist.
What was the best advise you were given as a theater artist?
The best advice I was given as a theater artist was to constantly ask yourself “what are you doing, why are you doing it, and who are you doing it for”. As theatre artists, it is our up-most responsibility to withhold the humanitarian aspects of art making. It is important to know why we do what we do and who our art is affecting.
What is the one thing you know as an artist now that you wish you could tell your younger self?
One thing I know now as an artist that I wish I could of told my younger self, is to find and indulge in the positives aspects of you artistry that are reserved to you and you only. I think especially as an emerging artist you are always forced to see what you could do improve in whether it be a scene, a show, or even aspects of your daily life that are continuously subjective to critique. Find the things that make you different, things that you bring to the table, embrace them and expand them. I’ve found myself the most happy as an artist when I am trusting that I belong, that the work I make matters, and that my specific journey is valid. I have the most growth when I go into things trusting my ability, the aspects about myself that are unique, and find ways to be better.
Outside of theater, what are you really into right now?
Outside of theater, I am really into the self deprecating and vulnerable artform that is comedic stand up. As a performer from a very young age, I love the witty writing, vulnerability, and comedic timing that is stand up. This is an artform that I would love to engage in further and pursue within the Seattle area. I have massive amounts of respect for people who can willingly throw themselves on a stage with grace, form, specificity, and obviously a wonderful punchline.
What is your favorite and least favorite word?
My least favorite word is PEANUT. I’m not really sure why, but something about the word itself makes me feel incredibly stupid and redundant. I feel like the word itself separate from the food, sounds like something you could use to insult someone. I think because somewhere within the word Peanut has the my name ‘Anu’ which subconsciously makes me feel stupid.
A coincidence? I think not.
My favorite word is EQUITY. This mostly speaks for itself. I just use the word a lot and value it highly.
Any other thoughts you’d like to share?
I am extremely grateful to share one of the first full scripts I have written, with characters I find extremely relatable, and am full.
BIO
Anu Brown is a writer, actor, poet, and comedian earning her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre with a minor in Playwriting and Directing at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. She is the curator of ‘Womxn’s Night’: a celebration and exploration of womxn intersectionality that happens annually at Cornish College of the Arts featuring various artists and activists. She has worked with the likes of Cory Mcdaniels, Malika Oyetimin, Michael Place, Sheila Daniels, and emerging Humana Festival playwright Mara Nelson Greenberg during the One Coast Collaboration festival at ACT Theatre. Anu Brown thanks her family for the continual support as well as her faculty.
Live Girls! is a theater company dedicated to producing and developing new plays by women.
