Interview: Playwright DARRYL SCHNEIDER

One of Buffalo, New York's most well-known Playwrights is award winning writer Darryl Schneider

In June 2018 he will be a part of Michael Fanelli's One Act Festival "We'll Always Have Casablanca".

Darryl was kind enough to answer a few questions.

MCL: Please tell us how Playwrighting first started for you?

DS: I took up an Introduction to Theater at ECC-City that included some acting and playwriting. When I transferred to Buffalo State College I then enrolled in a playwriting course taught by Warren Enters. After I graduated I wanted to get more involved in playwriting. That led to Manny Fried and his legendary playwriting workshops in his house--really in his basement. Boy, that was when the bullshit was sniffed out. Actors did not read the plays for the workshop: the playwrights did. (I always prayed that I wouldn't get picked to read!) After the reading each playwright would critique the play. Some comments weren't that helpful. But when it was Manny's turn to talk, he just cut right through it. Right to the bone.

MCL: What was the Play you wrote when you first realized you had a talent for this?

DS: The title changed so many times but it was that first play, Two To The Head, which RLTP produced at New Phoenix a loongg time ago.

MCL: If you could only have one Play of yours to show an audience ... what would it be? Why?

DS: Clean Break. This is my Lovejoy play, really close to me. A father who is addicted to gambling, emotionally blackmailing his daughter for money.... endless circle of guilt.

Well, there you have it.

MCL: The toughest part about Playwriting?

DS: Sitting in a chair for large chunks of time, not get distracted and just write.

MCL: You are part of a One Act Play Festival in June. Can you tell us more about it? What's your involment?

DS: I wrote a ten minute play called The Dominatrix Of A Salesman. Michael Fanelli asked several playwrights to write a "10 minute (about) piece on any subject.... I'd prefer something crazy and absurd that tests the boundaries of theater". Well, I hope I succeeded!

MCL: Finally ... What else is coming up for you in 2018?

DS: Hmmm... playing on my Yamaha UX1 piano , continuing with my piano lessons and trying to compose.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DARRYL SCHNEIDER:

https://roadlesstraveledproductions.org/

One Act Festival

"WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE CASABLANCA"

Rust Belt Books

415 Grant Street

Buffalo, NY 14213

Performance dates:

Saturday June 16th at 7:00

Sunday June 17th at 2:00

Saturday June 23rd at 7:00

Sunday June 24th at 2:00