Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a playwright?
Our Author Insights series features personal essays from playwrights, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the ideas and experiences that shaped their work.
Below, read “Writing The Women in Theatre Project”, where writer Jen Coogan reflects on The Women in Theatre Project. You can also download a free PDF that pairs the essay with short, classroom-ready activities for students.
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Writing The Women in Theatre Project
Jen Coogan
How can you reclaim your artistic power when it feels like all is lost?
Growing up as the child of an artist, I watched my dad struggling constantly with his passion. I learned that to be a great artist, you must sacrifice yourself completely and make suffering a large part of the process. I followed a similar path by forging my way as a theatre maker, and I told myself that it didn't matter how painful or lonely it was, as long as the work got finished.
Then suddenly my dad passed away with so many of his dreams unreached, and it left me questioning my entire artistic identity. I found myself in some of the darkest days of my life. Desperate for something to get me out of my head, I turned to theatre podcasts. I was particularly drawn to interviews with women in the business, and I began hearing some similar themes in their stories. I listened to them talk about their barriers, losses, rejections, and hardships, but through it all, they persevered, and eventually, broke through the gates that were holding them back.
I thought if I could just talk to some of these women and see how they did it, maybe I could share their stories by turning them into songs. I was hopeful that it might inspire others, help keep me going, and maybe shed some light on how to better navigate a life in the arts.
I thought that this would be an easy undertaking. After all, their stories already existed, how hard can it be to notate them and then add some music? Ha.
Well, I guess I was meant to stay up late listening to each interview over and over again. Because while I was trying to find the seed within each of these pieces, something shifted, and their words affected me deeply. Somehow, I became the unintended protagonist of this story. The years that followed have transformed my life completely. These women made me realize the spectrum of commitment it takes to be a healthy artist and that the most important and powerful thing we have is each other.
The Women in Theatre Project is intended to be a beacon for struggling artists.
Each character’s storyline highlights a different facet of artistic action that helps lay a foundation for overall artistic health and creative well being. It is meant to be experienced in a way that lives beyond the stage. I want those who connect with it to feel a curiosity for other outlets of artistic expression and feel compelled to grow their own practice. While there is an educational undercurrent, the show is rooted in creative engagement and connection rather than a textbook approach. Participants learn to develop agency in their narratives, become collaborators in their communities, and reclaim their own artistic power.
