Thinking prompt #22: THOUGHTS FROM PLAYWRIGHT DAVID MAMET

Hi Everyone,

Recently, I watched a “Masterclass” by David Mamet who, over the course of five hours, shared everything he deemed essential for effective theater. I’m sharing a few of his most quotable remarks below, which I feel may also apply to fiction and other genres.

Here goes:

• Drama is storytelling that assembles the clan.

• A play is a poem written for two or more voices.

• Dialogue comes from wanting to get something.

• If you have another language, you have another soul.

• The purpose of drama is to free us from reason.

• Drama is dream time. Write what you can’t figure out.

• Write with your own unconscious.

• The audience comes to hear the truth.

• Sort out problems poetically and mythologically.

• Our responsibility is to tell stories as honestly as we can.

Showtime!

Abrazos,

Cristina