Coosje
nytheatre.com q&a preview by Ryan Emmons
September 21, 2012
What is your job on this show?
Director.
What type of theater do you like most to work on?
I like to work on theatre that lifts an audience; theatre that incorporates elements of magic and expands what is possible in the real world. I like theatre that is not 100% naturalistic and takes a theatrical approach to the way that time, space and human interaction exist.
Who is more important in the theater: the actor, the playwright, or the director?
I think the most important thing is that the team knows how to collaborate and work towards a single vision!
In your own words, what do you think this show is about? What will audiences take away with them after seeing it?
To me, this show is about partnership; artistic and romantic. It is said, and I believe it, that much of the best art has been created as a collaboration. "Coosje" suggests that if working with someone else creates stronger art, than living (and loving) someone else can create a stronger life experience. An artistic collaborator may help you pick a color where a life collaborator could help you decide what you should have for dinner or what house you should buy!
Which cartoon character would you identify your show with: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Mickey Mouse, Marge Simpson?
Daffy Duck because he's the goofy-ist and Claes, Coosje and the singing Pear are all goofy in their own way!
If you had ten million dollars that you had to spend on theatrical endeavors, how would you use the money?
I would buy a theatre for No.11 Productions and set up year round programming that included a full season of plays, an educational outreach program and a foundation to help bring students and under-served populations into the theatre. I would pay all of the actors and designers for every show!!!!
