Translation, Culture, and Non-Traditional Theatre - An American Playwright in Norway - Playwright's Spotlight with Ren Powell

Send us Fan MailWe're back after a brief hiatus due to a guest cancelling, the holidays, and me feeling a bit under the weather, but our third season is still off with a bang. If there was a fascinating episode to drop after being away, this is IT. International playwright Ren Powell visited remotely with an aspect of playwriting and theatre I couldn't have been prepared for. We discuss going international, cultural differences, and the task of tackling translating from a cultural perspective as well as playwriting and also as an approach to learning a language. We touch upon Norwegian playwriting on the page and stage and their appeal to deconstructing theatrical works. Ren also speaks of her use of "erasure" in her adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear and her advocacy of free speech against literary prosecution in the realm of human rights and human obligation. We also talk about new or obscure forms of theatre including pub theatre, pantos, and Norwegian variety/vaudeville style theatre (revits (sp?)) and Norwegian improv. I also chime in a bit (a lot) with my frustration of authority in academia. It truly is a fascinating conversation I hope you will enjoy. My guest today is a poet, playwright and teaching artist born in Anaheim, California and currently based in Oslo, Norway. She has a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from Lancaster University in England, a BA in Theater Arts from Texas A&M University, and teaches at Vågen Upper Secondary School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Her work often juxtaposes mindsets with landscapes, culture with nature and often reflects on the themes of identity, place/displacement, mental disorders, human rights and obligations. Her plays include - Ripeness is All (An erasure/adaptation of King Lear), Light as Her Bones, and The Ant Farm.To view the video format of this episode, visit -https://youtu.be/Tr_EPp7V7K8Links mentioned in this episode -dv8 theatre -https://dv8.co.ukForced Entertainment -https://www.forcedentertainment.comPEN International and America -https://www.pen-international.orghttps://pen.orgThe Muse - https://muse.jhu.eduWebsites and socials for Ren Powell -www.renpowell.comNew Play Exchange -https://newplayexchange.org/users/80012/ren-powellEmail [email protected] - madorphanwriterWebsites and socials for James Elden, PMP, and Playwright's Spotlight -Punk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show