01/20/2025
Q & A with 716 playwright and author of the upcoming ART/WNY Feb 6th production of her full-length work “The Mighty Maisie”.
Bella is an Artie nominated playwright who is an Assistant Professor of Theatre History and Criticism at SUNY Oswego, is a Senior Co-chair of Playwriting of the Mid America Theatre Conference and a Director in the Playwrights Wing of First Look Buffalo Theatre Company. This marks Bella’s second play performed at ART/WNY.
Q: Playwright could you compare yourself with or beat ascribe your work to?
A: I don’t think I would compare my work to anyone specifically, but there are lots of playwrights who I love and am influenced by, such as Naomi Wallace, Tom Stoppard, Jen Silverman, Sarah Kane, Caryl Churchill, Mac Rogers, and Jennifer Haley. I would describe my own playwriting as heightened genre plays with some otherworldly weirdness!
Q:The specific genre you write about is generally inspired by which writer?
A: As many people know, I write a lot of science fiction. The Mighty Maisie is definitely a science fiction play, and I’ve had a lot of great sci-fi influences throughout my writing career. Some of my biggest science fiction influences include Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert, Ursula K. LeGuin, Philip K. Dick, Octavia Butler, and Peter F. Hamilton. Sci-fi playwrights are harder to come by, but some favorites are Mac Rogers, Alistair McDowall, Dawn King, Jennifer Haley, and Thomas Gibbons. There are awesome writers out there doing really interesting genre work. You just have to look for it!
Q: Who does Mighty Maisie speak to?
A: I think The Mighty Maisie speaks to anyone who has ever felt like they've gone unheard, anyone who has ever told a story and felt they weren't believed, or anyone who has ever felt like they didn't quite fit in. I think we all feel that way at one point or another in our lives, so, the story is really a universal one.
Q: Compare this original work to others you have written ? Development of characters, the antagonist & protagonist arch’s, etc.?
A: Maisie is a special piece for me. I wrote it a while ago when someone challenged me to write a play that happens in the here and now. Generally, my plays are a more high concept, happening in another time or place, or in a universe totally different than our own. But this play is happening right here and right now with characters just like you and me. That's not to say they still dont have some interesting and wacky experiences!
Q: With an original full-length work, what are some of the positive aspects of fully producing it?
A: It's always a joy and a privilege to have a fully staged production of your work! Producing a full length is obviously more involved, and you want to make sure it happens at the right time in the play's life; for example, you wouldn't want to have a full production too early, before the play is ready, but I've been working on Maisie for several years and I think it's a great time for it. I am so thankful for ART of WNY for making it happen! It's amazing to be working with such an awesome cast and with the great Kelli Bocock Natale. It's been a great come true!
The Mighty Maisie opens Feb 6th and runs until Feb 22nd. Show days and times are Thursdays & Fridays @ 7:30 pm/ Saturdays @ 5:00 pm. Online tickets can be purchased by clicking:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1124759097739?aff=oddtdtcreator
