“There’s no formula for how to write a good play. Nobody knows what’s going to be successful, even if you define success commercially, artistically. So, you therefore have to fall back on writing what you’re really interested in, what you really believe in, and that makes the plays unique and idiosyncratic. And paradoxically, if you don’t think about trying to be successful, your play is more likely to be a success!”
As we follow Obie and Tony winner and American Theatre Wing Chair David Henry Hwang, we discover the importance of collaboration, playing with words and ideas, and assessing it’s impact on an audience. Through this process of discovery, the world of theatre is better off by receiving writing that reflects the world of possibility and brave new work.
Special thanks to Columbia University School of the Arts and the Boards and Advisory Committee of American Theatre Wing.
American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre documentary series features the most fascinating people on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. From Tony Awards® and Obie Awards® winning artists to the next generation of theatre makers, we capture theatre’s inner-workings, industry luminaries, and unique stories that surround important work.
