Who is Morgan Rose?
My name is Morgan. I used to hate that name, I wanted to be named Stacy, but now I’m okay with it. I make theatre. I’m from the United States. I live in Melbourne now. I wear a size 9 shoe. I have a bicuspid aortic valve. Non-smoker.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I think about this all the time, and I don’t know. If I knew, I would do it, because I’m sure it would be more convenient than playwriting.
Who inspires you and why?
People who can speak more than one language.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think about this all the time as well, and I don’t know, I’m pretty pessimistic. I do all the little things: buy the good toilet paper, donate $20 when I can to the various causes, take public transit often, try not to eat meat, yadda yadda. But as for the big difference so many of us long for? I don’t know. The not knowing is all consuming. I feel trapped by the world around me, almost to the point of apathy. I’ve become one of those ‘down with the system’ crazy people. Art for me is the fight against giving up, giving in. I really do love being alive. It’s fun. I just haven’t figured out how to make the best of it.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Home. America. Because I know how to work the credit card machines.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
If American friends come to town I take them to breakfast. Australia has the best breakfasts in the world.
What are you currently reading?
The 7th draft of my own play (while bashing my head against the table).
What are you currently listening to?
I recently spent an hour and a half listening to youtube clips of Ellen Greene singing Suddenly Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. Then I spent an additional hour you-tubing a bunch of other people attempting to sing the same song and failing. It’s really interesting how that role seems to belong to her and no one else. On anyone else it’s awkward and boring. On her it’s truly moving and hilarious. I’m not sure what the acting lesson is in that story.
Happiness is?
A crossed off to do list and dinner plans within walking distance.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully a puppy.
Morgan Rose is a theatre artist originally from New Orleans in the United States who currently lives in Melbourne, Australia. She completed a Master of Writing for Performance at VCA in 2013.
She has worked as a writer, director, dramaturg, and producer with such companies as Mondo Bizarro (New Orleans), Taproot Theatre (Seattle), VORTEX Repertory (Austin), Lo-Fi Productions (Las Cruces, New Mexico), Riot Stage Youth Theatre (Brisbane), MKA (Melbourne), Motherboard Productions (Australia/Korea), was a founding member of the Seattle-based theatre company Two Hours’ Traffic.
She studied Suzuki Actor Training, The Viewpoints, and Composition with the SITI Company in 2008. In 2009, and again in 2012, she continued her training in Suzuki as well as Slow Tempo with Pacific Performance Project. In 2010 she was a company directing intern for Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre in Brisbane, Australia and studied and performed in Hakuba, Japan with the Butoh company Dairakudakan. In 2014 she was a dramaturgy intern with Playwriting Australia under the direction of Chris Mead.
Recent works include: Signature of a Lyrabird (co-writer, 2high Festival, 2012), turn off the tv, set the table for dinner (co-creator, Two Hours Traffic, 2013), The Chorus (writer/co-creator, Riot Stage, 2013), So Much Yes (writer, Riot Stage, 2014), Return of the Eric (co-writer, Vicious Fish Theatre, 2014), Lord Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise (writer, MKA/MTC NEON Up Late, 2014), and Or Forever Hold Your Peace (dramaturg/writing contributor, Motherboard Productions/La Boite Indie, 2014.
Morgan’s latest work, Virgins and Cowboys will be presented at Theatre Works: 14 – 23 August 2015. For more information, visit: www.theatreworks.org.au for details.
Image: Morgan Rose