Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames starts off by sharing his love for writing and the meaning behind the philosophy on his website. He discusses the transformative power of his first encounter with a play and how it ignited his desire to help “expand the range of storytelling about black people”. The conversation also delves into his play "Fat Ham" wherein he reflects on its creative process, the play's resonance, and the impact it had, especially in the context of Black and queer representation in the theater. As a founding member of Orbiter 3, James discusses the unique model of his group. He emphasizes the importance of creating a community and supporting local playwrights, giving light to the collaborative and inclusive aspects of their work. He shares how long it normally takes for him to write a full-length and the common themes found in his works. Additionally, James provides insights into his role as an associate professor at Villanova University where he teaches acting and collaborative theater-making, and how working with bright and enthusiastic students keeps him inspired and engaged.

James Ijames is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who recently received five Tony nominations, including Best Play for his hit Broadway show, “Fat Ham”. He's also an actor in his own right, a professor, a two-time winner of the Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play, and the 2015 winner of the Terrance McNally New Play Award, among many others.

Connect with James:

Website: www.jamesijames.com
Instagram: @jwijames

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Ep296 - James Ijames: Creating Black, Queer Representation in Theatre