Jarrin P. Davis is a director and former artistic director for the award-winning Center Stage Theater in Omaha, NE. A reading of his play Light, directed by Lydia West, is being presented this season by the BPF. Jarrin responded to a series of questions posed by BPF Board Advisor Larry Lambert to discuss the play, his writing and his motivation.
L – What motivated you to write Light? Was there something in your life experience that made you choose this situation?
J – I have personal family experiences with my sister and mother that led me to exercise some demons and write Light. It is taken from similar experiences which fortunately don’t end up the same as the tragedy of the play.
L – How long did it take you to develop Light?
J – I started Light a few years ago but really locked it into place/finished it over the past year.
L – The younger sister is described as “devout.” Does religion play a part in your writing?
J – Religion, being Baptist, is very close to me and does play a part in the play.
L – Light has been presented before. In what format?
J – Light has luckily had a few readings in the past couple of years but has never been presented in a fully-staged production.
L – What motivates you to choose a subject?
J – My style is contemporary/immediate writing and the motivation of proper parenthood is the catalyst for Light, as well as the concept of Forgiveness; which Emma eventually gives to Ella in the play.
I am mostly a director, having acted as artistic director for the award-winning Center Stage Theater in Omaha, NE for nine years. Understanding theater from this aspect, led me to writing Light.
L – Where do you see your creative journey taking you going forward.
J – I hope to continue writing and directing, as well as joining forces with fellow thespians in any way I can.