Show Notes

Years ago, when I first resigned myself to working in the  "Real World" in order to support my family, I used to think that getting an MFA in Directing had been a waste of time and money on my part.  Because after all, besides directing in High Schools, Middle Schools and Community Theatre groups, I wasn't realy doing what I was trained to do.  And then as I got older, I kept thinking of Shakespeare's wonderful line "all the world's a stage and we are merely players in it" and that made me come to the conclusion, that it hadn't been a waste of time at all.  It was really one of the best ways to prepare FOR life.  Where else but in the  theatre, the other Fine Arts, and Philosophy does one have the opportunity to  explore the mysteries and tragedies of life,  the human condition, and our existential battle to find meaning in the pain and suffering of this world as well as its  joys and inspirations?  Theatre reveals some of the "pathways" to that meaning and  purpose.  The drive that all of us pursue and long to find, except, perhaps, the most cynical and bitter (Which is in itself a tragedy that dramatic literature explores often).  My long talk with Jack Canfora was such a "roadmap", and his plays are as well.  (Read them - a couple are even available on Amazon) In short . . . it was a joy and personally, one of my favorite interviews to date.  After listening to it, I hope this wrap up to that conversation will leave you wanting to hear more from him.  I know I look forward to our next talk.

John Lawrence "Jack" Canfora is an Award-Winning American playwright, actor, musician and teacher. After receiving his dramatic training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he began his career as an actor in regional theater, working mostly in Shakespearean roles such as Mercutio and Macbeth. He’s been hailed by the Associated Press as “White-hot Entertainment” for his off-Broadway plays including Poetic License, Place Setting, and Jericho, a New York Times “Critics Pick.” He was nominated along with Edward Albee, Elaine May, and Teresa Rebeck for The Newark Star Ledger’s Best Play, 2007. Jack is the recipient of two Edgerton Playwriting Awards, for Jericho (2010) and The Source (2018). He won the 2016 Webby Award for Best Writing in a Web Series. Jack is also the Artistic Director of New Normal Rep.

To learn more about Jack and his plays and more importantly, how to get them, go to his website at: HOME | Jack Canfora (jackcanforawriter.com)

Thanks for listening. Please check out our website at www.forsauk.com to hear great conversations on topics that need to be talked about. There's always time to expand your Frame of Reference.