We Are Becoming with DeLanna Studi and Jason Grasl
In this month’s episode of Writers Revealed, we hear from DeLanna Studi and Jason Grasl, two wonderful writers with Native American heritage, as they discuss generational cycles of behavior and the call to be a beacon of change. Moderated by EDI coordinator & facilitator, L. Trey Wilson.
This Month
Jason Grasl reads outloud from “That Time Hans Solo Fell Off From A Precariously High and Unrailed Bridge”
DeLanna Studi reads outloud from two pieces that analyze traditional Cherokee folklore and how it used to inform our sense of self and womanhood
L. Trey and Jason discuss how mistakes can repeat themselves in cycles, and how that presented itself in Jason’s piece
Both writers discuss, “How do we keep tradition alive? How do stories help us heal and evolve?”
DeLanna and L. Trey discuss code-switching in comparison to shape shifting and how a lot of BIPOC artists are forced to shape-shift in different spaces around different people
Each writer discusses their call to playwriting and how they found their way
Jason discusses finding his way through college and finally writing his first play
DeLanna discusses how her need for writing came from her need to be heard as an actress
Each writer discusses how deadlines are beneficial in their writing process
L. Trey introduces how relationships are a key part of life and difficult to maintain but that our relationships and awareness of others defines who we are
The writers discuss assimilation:
The point of how assimilation is a journey into finding who you are and becoming a beacon of change.
Assimilation is never an option because our culture never questions us but the rest of the world does.
Both writers talk about our inherent need to be understood and be seen for who you are, while still having moments feeling not seen.
Both writers talk about how we decide what to share and also the power of if we will ever share
“I think an evolving story is how you keep a culture alive. And I love that I’m hearing these traditional native stories that are in these contemporary times, because it’s a way that we are keeping our culture alive. We’re constantly evolving, just like every other culture. And I think it’s a way of practicing our sovereignty and maintaining our culture at the same time.”
Pieces Read
Excerpt from, “That Time Hans Solo Fell Off From A Precariously High and Unrailed Bridge” by Jason Grasl
Excerpts from two short plays, "Wolves" and "Flight" by DeLanna Studi
DeLanna Studi
Playwright and Actor
DeLanna Studi is a well accomplished actress and playwright. DeLanna serves as the Chair of SAG-AFTRA’s National Native Americans Committee, and as the Artistic Director of Native Voices at the Autry.
DeLanna’s TV credits include ‘Dreamkeeper’, ‘Edge of America’, ‘Shameless’, ‘General Hospital’, just to name a few. She was also a part of the First National Broadway Tour of ‘August: Osage County, Off Broadway’s ‘Informed Consent’ and ‘Gloria: A Life’. With established relationships at Theatre for One, The Theatre Center, and Period Piece. Her play “And So We Walked”, retraces her families footsteps along the Trail of Tears.
Jason Grasl
Playwright, Actor, Director
Jason is a playwright, actor and director. His recent play, The Normal Force (a sci-fi drama), was commissioned by San Diego Rep for their Here U.S. Now Festival.
Jason was a commissioned playwright in Lower Depth Theatre’s Pandemic Short Play Festival. Which focused in on a pair of neighbors and their assumptions/guilt surrounding race.
Jason works closely with the theatre company ‘Native Voices at the Autry’ as an ensemble member and writer. His play, “Lying with Badgers” was chosen to have a world premiere production at Native Voices at the Autry.