One of the most incredible and important things about the theater is that we're creating a safe space for all feelings, but especially, ugly feelings.
Branden Jacobs-JenkinsRead
Family dramas are tough, as a playwright. Most stories are about characters going on a trip or a new character coming to town, because that's how you learn information about them. But with family, they all know each other already. There's years of history in every interaction.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Family dynamics present unique challenges for storytelling due to existing relationships and history.
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins highlights the complexities of writing about family dramas, noting that unlike other narratives where characters are often strangers or on new journeys, family relationships are deeply rooted in shared histories that shape each interaction. This inherent familiarity can make the portrayal of family drama more nuanced and layered, as every dialogue carries the weight of past experiences and emotions.
Themes
FamilyDramaRelationshipsStorytellingHistory
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the complexities of family relationships in literature.
More from Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
All quotes →I don't hate people who colour-blind cast, but I hate people who colour-blind cast and pretend that they're not, who pretend that these bodies on stage don't actually carry specific meaning.
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I'm not a really firm believer in theatre that is 'about anything.' I don't think theatre can be about anything other than the people who show up and the value that they hold.
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