Brookdale Instructor Sheila Duane Explores Theater Reinterpretation in New Literary Journal Publication

Brookdale Community College English instructor and playwright Sheila Duane has published an article titled “Experimental Music and Playwriting” in the prestigious literary journal Waxing & Waning. In her piece, Duane explores the debate about how plays are reinterpreted by actors and directors and compares this to the flexibility seen in experimental music, where new interpretations are welcomed.

Inspired by the Dramatists Guild’s 2019 #DontChangeTheWords initiative, Duane discusses how directors and actors often change the context of a play, such as altering the gender, race, or period, while keeping the words the same. She argues that theater, like music, is an evolving art form and should be open to different interpretations rather than being viewed as a fixed creation.

To explore this idea further, Duane interviewed several well-known playwrights, including Emma Goldman-Sherman, Lucy Wang, Edith Freni, Matthew Paul Olmos, and Donna Hoke. Their views on reinterpretation vary. Some playwrights are open to experimentation, while others worry it could change the core meaning of their work. Duane supports collaboration between playwrights, directors, and actors but emphasizes respecting the playwright’s original vision.

“I felt the change in gender added an intriguing complexity to the ideas already in the play,” said Olmos about a request he received from a director. Overall, he feels, “If it were a production that was going to be reviewed or be seen more publicly, I would want to have a discussion, hear more why they felt it was a necessary change, and I might want to ‘adapt’ the play a bit to make it more sense.”

Duane also addresses the need for inclusivity in theater, especially for gender-fluid students who often feel excluded from casting opportunities. She believes that casting should be more open-minded, allowing actors of all backgrounds to take on roles and bring fresh perspectives to performances.

“As a college instructor in 2024, I am charged with welcoming and educating gender-fluid students who often feel shut out of casting. I believe a more open attitude should be adopted when casting theater performances.”

Drawing on the work of experimental composers Pauline Oliveros and John Cage, who believed that performers and audiences play a key role in shaping the final piece, Duane argues that theater, like music, thrives on shared creative input. She encourages a spirit of collaboration that invites experimentation without losing sight of the playwright’s intent.

Duane’s article offers a fresh perspective on the future of theater, advocating for a balance between honoring the original script and embracing new interpretations. In an era where social media and political divides often stifle dialogue, Duane believes that theater, like experimental music, can provide a communal space where collaboration fosters creative freedom and innovation. Her insights encourage theater artists to collaborate openly and use performance to explore new ideas and perspectives.

Sheila Duane’s work continues to inspire conversation about the future of theater, offering a fresh perspective that aligns with the dynamic nature of art in the modern world. With her insightful contributions to both the classroom and the stage, Duane is shaping the next generation of artists to embrace experimentation and inclusivity in their creative endeavors.

About the Author

Sheila Duane is a teacher, playwright, and associate artistic director of a small play-reading program in Holmdel, New Jersey. Sheila is an alumnus of the DUAF; her plays, The Palmist, The Loom, and Restoration Parts, have been chosen to be part of the festival between 2020 and 2022. Recently, her plays have also been produced at the JSAC in Ocean Grove, in Long Branch, Middletown, and Maplewood, NJ, in Florida with Femuscripts, and at the Magnetic Theater in North Carolina.