The Seven: New Works Festival 2011
 

Jamie Pachino
"Status Update"
Los Angeles, CA

An Interview with the Playwright

How did you hear about “The Seven”?

The playwrightbinge Yahoo group..

What was the impetus/basis/inspiration for writing the piece?

In my Facebook feed, I noticed a friend had changed her status to "In a Relationship." I began to wonder what happened right before that moment. Was it a collaborative decision? A solo one? What IS the conversation where a couple signs off on a public declaration like that? ...That was the inspiration.

Is this play representational of your writing style? Is it similar to or different from your other plays?

I think it's easy to hear my dialogue rhythms, and note my interest in the difference between what we think about ourselves and others think about us that comes up in other work. But this is my first short piece that's not a monologue (not to mention, my usual medium is full length), so that's a big departure.

What is the role of the short work in your playwriting career?

I think it's a calling card, an introduction. A way to open a conversation with a theatre company.

What is your favorite play? Who is your favorite playwright?

Too many to mention, from too wide a cross section!

What is your next playwriting venture?

I just workshopped my newest play, Some of the People, All of the Time, in Asolo Rep's Unplugged New Play Festival. And my newest play, Other Than Homorable is making its way from my brain to the computer screen right now.

Is there anything you'd like to add?

Thank you, FUSION!


Jamie Pachino
Jamie Pachino (Status Update) is an award winning playwright and screenwriter with national and international credits. Her plays have been produced in four countries, commissioned, published and honored. Jamie’s plays have been produced and developed by theatres such as Steppenwolf, San Jose Rep, Long Wharf, American Conservatory Theatre, Hartford Stage, Geva, Florida Stage, Asolo Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, the Roundabout, New Theatre and the Women Playwrights Festival in Athens, Greece, among many others. Her plays have been named the winner of the Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays production grant, the Laurie Foundation Theatre Visionary Award, the Francesca Primus Prize from the American Theatre Critics Association, and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work. Jamie’s plays have been published by Playscripts, Inc., Smith and Kraus and Heinemann, and her short plays have been performed around the world. As a screenwriter, Jamie’s film work includes features for Disney, DreamWorks, Vanguard and Walden Media, and for television, she has written for Hallmark Hall of Fame and Lifetime Television, which has aired three of her teleplays (netting Emmy and SAG nominations for Gena Rowlands). More at www.jamiepachino.com.