The Virtual Writing University Archive

The Virtual Writing University Archive is a collection of recordings of literary readings, panel discussions, and lectures around The University of Iowa and Iowa City. You may search or browse these recordings to find those you want to hear. The Writing University Archive is a project of the School of Library and Information Science in collaboration with the writing community at Iowa.

We are currently in the process of transferring the contents of the archive into this interface. more

Playwrighting and the Dialog Between Language and Action

Play Audio (1 hour, 29 min.)

Mike Finn begins the discussion.  H.S. Shivaprakash discusses shape-changing, different forms of theater, India, and the caste system.  Motti Lerner discusses how theater is able to influence the spectator, to open he/she up in a very dramatic way.  After the first hour, the three playwrights take questions from the audience and Mike Finn discusses how theater often uses comedy as a guise for more serious issues.

In: International Writing Program Archive | Dramatic Writing

Authors: Mike Finn , H.S. Shivaprakash, Motti Lerner

Date Recorded: August 20, 2000

Program: --

Format: discussion

Contributors: Christopher Merrill gives introductions

Topics: playwrighting; dialog; language; action; influence of theater; mechanisms of writing

Note: Sound quality very poor: you can't hear what Mike Finn is saying, and part way through H. S. Shivaprakash's talk the sound comes in more clearly.

Play Audio (1 hour, 29 min.)