Fellows Spotlight: Kate Douglas
Fellows Spotlight: March Edition!
Each month we’ll feature a new DGF Fellow and invite you to take a behind-the-scenes look at our program.
We’ve introduced you to Jessica Kahkoska and Elliah Heifetz; in January we featured Paulo K Tiról, and over the year, we’ll be hearing from all 2019-2020 Fellows: Andrew Rincón, Andy Roninson, Avi Amon, Kate Douglas, Kyoung H. Park, Melis Aker, Nikhil Mahapatra, and Nolan Doran.
Each of these writers were asked the same series of questions, exploring where these writers have been, are now, and are journeying towards. Our Fellows took this gentle structure and ran, each submitting responses as unique and creative as they are.
Please take your seats, unwrap your candies, and silence your cellphones as we put the spotlight on DGF Fellow Kate Douglas!
What was your first experience with theater?
Seeing The Beauty & the Beast on Broadway. It seemed to me that the Beast disappeared in a puff of smoke FROM THE FEET UP, and the magic knocked me back. I auditioned for my first play in middle school and was hooked.
When did you decide to become a writer? Is there a writer, show, or piece of writing that was particularly influential on your path?
I was a writer since I learned how to put pen to paper. Then once I had my first experience on stage, all I wanted to do was write for the theatre.
How do you describe your work overall? What sets your work apart?
My works lives in the friction between absurdity and reality. I am especially passionate about creating work that explores embodiment and centering non-humans.
Can you tell us a little bit about the work you’ve been developing as a Fellow?
WONDERLAND is a story of nonimaginary people populating an imaginary town. Wonderland is a staged suburb built to conceal a World War Two fighter jet factory in case the Japanese bombers fly over. Three actresses – Clare, Nina and Billie – have been hired to live ordinarily as townspeople as a finishing touch. But World War Two never ends, and the summer job stretches on forever. WONDERLAND questions the meaning of authenticity in a manufactured world.
What do you find most rewarding about your work as a writer?
The fact that I don’t have to be so damn literal all the time. Aren’t you tired of being so literal all the time?
Stay up to date with Fellows news and Kate Douglas’ work by following @DGFound and @katemakesmusic