The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK S1 E2 - You Have to Be Willing to do the Work-Writing Outside Your Lived Experience with Kia Corthron and Mashuq Mushtaq Deen
Oct 28, 2019
Kia Corthron, an award-winning playwright known for her compelling work on African-American themes, discusses her play 'Tap the Leopard' and its exploration of Liberia's complex history. She reflects on the challenges of writing outside her own experience, emphasizing research and empathy. Joined by Mashuq Mushtaq Deen, a playwright and eclectic artist, they delve into the balance between fiction and truth, the importance of cultural representation, and the emotional weight of confronting harsh historical realities through storytelling.
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Tap the Leopard: A Historical Epic
- Kia Corthron discusses her play, Tap the Leopard, which explores the African-American colonization of Liberia.
- She describes the historical context, including the American Colonization Society and the impact on indigenous populations.
Research and Travel in Liberia
- Corthron received a grant to travel and write a play inspired by her experience.
- She chose Liberia and did extensive research, but the ongoing civil war presented challenges.
Researching in Post-War Liberia
- In Liberia, Corthron conducted extensive research, staying with a local family and visiting various locations, even venturing into the bush.
- She shares her observations about the conditions and the people's resilience despite the war.
