Meet Jessica Chisum author of Fire Country (2018 Cupcake Fall Readings)
Where did the idea for your play come from?
The idea came from thinking about the eventuality of tech companies searching for and acquiring protected lands in the wilderness. And the founding of Rome, the legends of Romulus and Remus. And wolves. And fire.
What was your favorite moment in working on this piece?
My favorite moment working on Fire Country was writing the song for the character of Martin, a collaboration with my songwriting husband, Adam, since it turns out I’m not great at everything.
What projects are you currently working on?
Currently working on finishing a new draft of Fire Country, writing proposals for new playwriting projects next year, acting for the first time in four years (?) for 14/48 projects, and preparing to teach playwriting next Spring!
Finish this sentence: “I love theater that…” wrecks and rebuilds me.
What was the best advise you were given as a theater artist?
The best advice I was ever given as a theater artist is to make your own stuff.
What is the one thing you know as an artist now that you wish you could tell your younger self?
I wish I could tell my younger self to make your own stuff, about 10 years earlier.
Outside of theater, what are you really into right now?
Right now I am really into photoshopping myself into idyllic pastoral scenes.
What is your favorite and least favorite word?
Favorite word: Synecdoche. Least favorite: spam.
Any other thoughts you’d like to share?
Come to Fire Country! October 23rd at 7:30pm, 18th & Union. I’m revising this play constantly, so I need your feedback, y’all. Also: cupcakes. Real live cupcakes.
BIO
Jessica Chisum (playwright, Fire Country) is an actor, playwright, teacher and voiceover artist. She has been collaborating with LG Theater since the first evening of short plays, Quickies! Jessica’s Quickies contributions include: THE SPRING OF HOPE, SUPERGIRL, YELLOWED, and INSERT QUARTER HERE. In San Francisco, her play THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT was produced by SF Theaterpub. PROMENADE was produced by Three Wise Monkeys and PHOEBE PHOENIX SAVES THE WORLD by FoolsFury, both of which were selected to be performed at the Last Frontier Theatre Festival in Alaska. She was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Live Girls! is a theater company dedicated to producing and developing new plays by women.
