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.
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.
Exploring Historical Complexity with Sally and Tom
The play 'Sally and Tom' delves into the intricate and often painful relationship between Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, engaging with themes of love, betrayal, and historical context. Parks reflects on the vivid tension within their story, exploring how characters from different time periods interact and how their experiences resonate with contemporary issues. She invites audiences to witness how this historical narrative transcends time, revealing the ongoing struggles of identity, freedom, and forgiveness. The duality of their relationship serves as a lens through which modern viewers can examine past injustices and their present implications.
Cultural Influences and Personal Growth
Parks shares insights into her upbringing, touching on her father's military background and its impact on her early exposure to different cultures and art forms. The juxtaposition of her father's love for opera and her mother's passion for jazz contributed to her diverse artistic sensibilities. This rich cultural environment nurtured her creativity, inspiring her to explore writing, music, and theater as means of expression. Parks recounts how these experiences served to shape her perspective, ultimately reinforcing her commitment to using her art to confront societal complexities and embrace broader human experiences.
Navigating Expectations in the Creative Journey
Parks discusses the challenges and expectations that come with recognition and awards in the arts, particularly her experiences with the Pulitzer Prize and the various accolades she has received. While such recognition can elevate a writer's profile, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity and focus on the craft itself rather than succumbing to pressure. Her artistic journey is characterized by a commitment to truth-telling, even in the face of external judgments or expectations. Parks underscores that, ultimately, the most fulfilling aspect of her work remains the connection it fosters with audiences and the exploration of the human condition.
Named one of TIME magazine’s “100 Innovators for the Next New Wave,” Suzan-Lori Parks is the first African American woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Topdog/Underdog. She joins to discuss her long and illustrious career as a playwright, musician, and novelist.