Breaking Out of the Box with Roger Q. Mason
Roger Q. Mason, a trailblazing multi-hyphenate artist chats with L. Trey Wilson about how their writing inspires people to be themselves, find their own voice, and step outside of their comfort zone.
This month:
Playwright, director, & performer Roger Q. Mason reads from two monologues, BALLAD FOR THE LEGENDARY CHILDREN and HIDE AND HIDE.
Roger chats about their experience getting into writing with the desire to be a multi-hyphenate during the housing boom before the 2008 recession.
Roger talks about how their characters are who they are, know who they are, and embolden other people to do the same.
Roger explains how they give kids an artistic home and them curate their own voices.
Roger talks about how we use comfort and ignorance to hide from the fear of not understanding.
Roger discusses how their plays encourage people to think critically.
Roger extrapolates on their experience during the pandemic.
Roger reminisces about the history and inspiration for the two pieces they read.
Roger emphasizes the importance of checking your privilege and checking the people who only amplify black and brown voices when it is fashionable to do so.
*Music for this episode was composed by Maritri Garrett.
“Not only do we fear what we don’t understand. We fear the fact that we don’t understand it. And instead of encountering and counter-balancing that imbalance, we would rather huddle under the ignorance of comfort. Comfort and complacency and civic death are kissing cousins.
”
Pieces Read
Excerpt from HIDE AND HIDE, a monologue by Roger Q. Mason
Inspired by their mother’s journey immigrating from South Asia to the United States and how the American promise did not live up to expectations.
BALLAD FOR THE LEGENDARY CHILDREN, a monologue by Roger Q. Mason
A commission for True Colors Theatre’s monologue festival that unapologetically celebrates queer identity.
Roger Q. Mason
Writer & Performer
Roger Q. Mason (they/them) was recently dubbed by The Brooklyn Rail as "quickly becoming one of the most significant playwrights of the decade." Their writing has played on Broadway (Circle in the Square Reading Series); Off and Off-Off-Broadway and regionally. They're an honoree of the Kilroys List; Chuck Rowland Pioneer Award; Fire This Time Festival Alumni Spotlight, and Hollywood Fringe Festival Encore Producers Award. Mason holds degrees from Princeton University, Middlebury College, and Northwestern University. They're a member of Page 73's Interstate 73 Writers Group, Primary Stages Writing Cohort, and lead mentor of the New Visions Fellowship and Shay Fellowship.