84. Art as advocacy & building a creative life with Steven Gaultney, resident playwright at Theatre of Others

When you protect your time and energy and truly devote yourself to honing your gifts, MAGIC. HAPPENS.

My guest today is Steven Gaultney - a playwright, dramaturg, and teacher based in Brooklyn. His most recent work, Bright Light Burning, will premiere next month at COP28, the annual UN Climate Conference, held this year in Dubai! (Skip to the end of the notes to see how you can donate to the cause and help end climate change!)

In this episode, we're talking about the leap of faith Steven took to quit a "prestigious" job at a theater company that, while in the field he wanted to be in, didn't allow as much time as he'd have liked for actually WRITING plays.

Now, he looks at "work for money" as a COMPLETELY different thing than "his life's work". Doing this can relieve SO much pressure, allowing us space and freedom to create rather than just "produce".

Steven is currently the resident playwright and dramaturg for the Theatre of Others. His work has also been developed by Chautauqua Theatre Company and Theatre for a New Audience. He holds an MFA from Columbia University and a BA from Davidson College (where we met!).

Here's how to donate to Theatre of Others and help send them to Dubai for the COP28 conference!

• GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brightlightburning
• Company Website: https://www.theatreofothers.com/
• Podcast: https://www.theatreofothers.com/podcast
• Theatre of Others Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theatreofothers_/
• PLUS: Steven's personal website: https://www.stevengaultney.com/