Design Matters with Debbie Millman
Best of Design Matters: Suzan-Lori Parks
Mar 3, 2025
Suzan-Lori Parks, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, discusses her impressive career in theater, music, and literature. She dives into her latest work on the complex relationship between Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, blending history and art. Parks shares her transformative journey from karate to yoga, reflecting on identity and resilience. She also touches on the art of storytelling, the emotional essence of collaboration in her band Sula and the Joyful Noise, and the profound themes of love, race, and forgiveness woven throughout her creations.
47:52
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Quick takeaways
- Suzan-Lori Parks views writing as her love language, expressing emotional transparency and fostering deeper connections through her plays.
- Her play 'Sally and Tom' explores the complex historical relationship between Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, revealing themes of identity, freedom, and forgiveness.
Deep dives
The Art of Love in Writing
Writing serves as a profound expression of love for Susan Laurie Parks, who refers to it as her love language. She emphasizes that, through her plays, she conveys her feelings and connections to various characters and stories, as if to say, 'I love you' to both known and unknown audiences. The act of writing becomes a vehicle for emotional transparency, allowing her to share vulnerability, joy, and the complexities of human experiences. This heartfelt approach reinforces the idea that art can bridge gaps between individuals, fostering deeper understanding and connection.
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