A unique feature of the Our Voices Festival is that each playwright is given The Our Voices Artist Statement template to fill out and share directly with the audience during the evening of staged readings just prior to presenting her play. Audiences continue to share their gratitude for this opportunity to hear directly from the playwright about her inspiration and experience in writing the play. For the playwright, it's an opportunity to take a risk - to stand for her voice & vision in front of an audience. ~ Kelly DuMar
ARTIST STATEMENT: M. Lynda Robinson
An Egg is an Egg is a Jellied Egg
Setting the scene:
This play is a fantasy based on the real life of lesbian couple Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. It takes place during the 1930’s in the drawing room of their apartment in Paris which has become the well known gathering place of established people of literature, art and society, as well as many who are trying to become part of the celebrated salon circle. The walls are covered by now-famous paintings by Picasso, Matisse. etc. ALICE and GERTRUDE have been together about 25 years. Gertrude is writing & Alice is preparing for their weekly salon taking place that evening.
1. This play was inspired by: the humorous imagined idea that Gertrude Stein spoke the same way she wrote – complete “free-form” thought, without punctuation, with many repetitions, etc. - & what effect that would have on her and her partner Alice B. Toklas trying to accomplish ordinary projects, as well as their relationship.
2. One thing that surprises me about this play is: that Gertrude’s language, although exaggerated and annoying, ended up expressing both intellectual ideas and emotional feelings.
3. This play is built upon my strong belief in: the power of words.
4. If my play could change something what would it be? a new interest in Gertrude Stein’s contribution to playwriting.
5. One thing I’ve learned about myself from this play is: that “word play” is my favorite kind of play.
6. A block or resistance I have had to overcome in creating this play is my fear that: a lack of knowledge of the two historical characters - Gertrude Stein & Alice B. Toklas – or of the style of Gertrude’s writing – may render the play completely incomprehensible.
7. My wish for this play is: that the audience embrace the language & characters and have fun!
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