INTERVIEW: Tonya Pinkins on her search for ‘Truth and Reconciliation’
Photo: Tonya Pinkins has helped to craft a theatrical night centered on truth, reconciliation and womyn. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by Emily Owens PR with permission.
Tonya Pinkins, the celebrated actor of stage, TV and film, has helped to craft a new evening of theater that relies on the collective contributions of several female writers and performers. Running Oct. 3-6, Truth and Reconciliation: Womyn Working It Out! features 10-minute plays and songs about womyn and by womyn.
The playwrights who are part of the evening include everyone from Pinkins herself to Kristine M. Reyes to Nikkole Salter to Lucy Thurber. Performances run at The Tank, located on West 36th Street in Manhattan.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Pinkins about the new performance pieces. She is known for her many Broadway turns, including Holler If Ya Hear Me; Radio Golf; Caroline, or Change; and Jelly’s Last Jam. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What are the unique challenges of directing so many pieces by so many different playwrights?
More than directing so many pieces by different writers, my biggest challenge has been producing, co-writing, acting and funding while also directing. The plays were all written from a prompt I devised for the evening.
Why were you drawn to this evening of truth and reconciliation?
Theater is as close an experience of reality as entertainment can get. I am interested in how and if we can alter people’s minds about what is possible in their own lives based upon witnessing a theatrical experience where the actors model the resolution of difficult issues. I think womyn have yet to stand in their full power and authority in the world. Often womyn are the obstacle to other womyn’s power. I am interested in supporting womyn, building bridges and supporting one another across class, culture, marital status, political views, values — simply [by] being in solidarity around elevating rights, privileges and honor of being born biologically female.
Could you describe what audience members can expect from the play you have written?
They will arrive and be asked to complete an online questionnaire — five questions about amends in their own life. They will laugh and learn and cry watching the inclusive group of womyn dramatize stories from across the globe and the centuries. They will do the questionnaire again after the performance, and a therapist will lead a sharing time between audience and cast.
In your opinion, has there been progress in the theater world when it comes to having more opportunities for female directors and female playwrights?
Absolutely. But there is still more to be done.
During difficult times, does the artistic world flourish? Do you feel a particular inspiration these last few years given the turmoil in the United States?
The artist is the heart and soul of a society. We not only alleviate suffering, we rouse sentiment, incite action, disclose secrets and model worlds as yet unknown.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Truth and Reconciliation: Womyn Working It Out!, featuring work by Tonya Pinkins and other writers, will play Oct. 3-6 at The Tank in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.
