Plays for Two: Playwright Interview - Billy Aronson

Plays for Two is a unique anthology of twenty-eight terrific plays for two actors, by a mix of celebrated playwrights and cutting-edge new voices. I had the pleasure of speaking with playwright Billy Aronson about his play Negotiation, his writing process, and upcoming work.

JACQUELINE LAWTON: Why did you decide to get into theatre? Was there someone or a particular show that inspired you?
BILLY ARONSON: I started writing plays at 17 because I was in love, and it suddenly felt like all the things you say or do to express feelings weren’t nearly enough.

JL: Tell me a little bit about your writing process. Do you have any writing rituals? Do you write in the same place or in different places?
BA: When I’m writing I need to move around a lot. Bike riding, running, pacing…

JL: Can you tell me about the play that’s being published in Plays for Two?
BA: “Negotiation” is about the way you have to package yourself to make a living. I wanted to explode that process as quickly and completely as possible.

JL: What excited you about being a part of this anthology?
BA: The script has never published before. I’m really excited that lots more people will be able to find it.

JL: What advice do you have for up-and-coming playwrights?
BA: Be proud of your weirdness.

JL: What next for you? Where can we follow your work?
BA: I’ve created an animated PBS kids show called Peg + Cat with artist Jennifer Oxley; we’re in the middle of bringing our loopy universe to life. You can follow my work at “billyaronson.com”.

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About the Playwright

Billy Aronson’s one-act plays have been produced in 8 Ensemble Studio Theatre Marathons and published in 6 volumes of Best American Short Plays. His full-lengths have premiered at Playwrights Horizons, Woolly Mammoth, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre, SF Productions, and 1812 Productions. His writing for the musical theatre includes the original concept and additional lyrics for the Broadway musical Rent. TV writing credits include Cartoon Network’s Courage the Cowardly Dog, MTV’s Beavis & Butt-head, and Nickelodeon’s The Wonder Pets! (head writer, Emmy Award). With artist Jennifer Oxley he created the new PBS math show Peg + Cat, and their company 9ate7 Productions. With wife Lisa Vogel he created their offspring Jake and Anna. (BillyAronson.com)

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About the Anthology

Click here to order your copy!

It takes two to tango—or to perform a duet, fight a duel, or play ping-pong. The two-character play is dramatic confrontation stripped to its essence. These four full-length and twenty-four short plays feature pairs of every sort—strangers, rivals, parents and children, siblings, co-workers, friends, and lovers—swooning or sparring, meeting cute or parting ways. In a dizzying range of moods and styles, these two-handers offer the kind of meaty, challenging roles actors love, while providing readers and audiences with the pleasures of watching the complex give-and-take dynamics of two keenly matched characters.