New Harmony Project


Daniel will participate in the 2005 Conference at New Harmony Project. He answered to some questions regarding this project.

1. Congratulations on your involvement with New Harmony Project this year. Could you please explain briefly what this project about including when and where? Have you ever been involved in New Harmony Project before?

New Harmony is a theater development center near Evansville, Indiana. A bunch of actors, dramaturgs and directors gather for a couple of weeks starting May 21st or so, to help writers "find" or fine tune their new plays. They also do musicals, but none this year. This is my first year there.

2. You are going to direct Russell Davis's Mahida's Extra Key to Heaven. You said in "30 questions with Daniel" that Russell Davis is your favorite living playwright. Did you work with him before?

I've acted in a play by Russell and directed a few readings of his work. The first time I saw one of his plays was at Sundance - and it really was unforgettable.

3. Why and how did you get involved in this play/project? Could you tell us about this play? What is the central theme of this play?

Any chance I get to work with Russell is a gift, and these dates worked out for both of us. His work has a huge heart - New Harmony is about putting work into the world that is inspiring and positive - and Russell's plays are truly healing. They are often about people trying to reach each other in some way - what is best in each other.
This play has two American and two Iranian characters, so there is a political element, but still, there is a real desire for healing between the people. It gets rough near the end, but there is a sense of possibility at the curtain.

4. Is this the first time you direct a show? How are you going to approach this particular play?

This is the first time I've spent this much time on the "process" part of direction. I've done small things as a director, but recently they've mostly been readings.

5. In "30 questions with Daniel," you said you like "play development" aspect of the theatre. Could you elaborate it?

It's just a safe place to work without the burdens of the commercial theatre. Process - finding the play together with actors, a director and a writer - is my favorite part of any production. Of course, doing the final product in front of an audience can be thrilling, but the moments when you feel the show coming together are exhilarating for me.

6. In the future, when you are going to direct a show, what kind of play or musical are you interested in working with?

I like stories about universal things. Things that connect us deeply. I like to entertain as well, be silly, make people laugh - but the common bonds we share move me more as a director.




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