5 Questions with R. N. Sandberg

As we gear up for the FORUM Roundtable Reading Series (November 29 - December 18, 2011), we asked our playwrights five questions to get to know them and the readings that will be presented a little better.

R. N. Sandberg's play CONVIVENCIA will be presented on Tuesday, November 29, 7:00pm at Fairleigh Dickinson, Dreyfuss Theatre in Madison, NJ and on Wednesday, November 30, 7:00pm at The Growing Stage, Netcong, NJ.

Sandberg’s plays have been seen in Australia, Canada, England, Japan, Panama, South Korea and throughout the U.S. He’s been commissioned by, among others, McCarter, Seattle Rep and Seattle Children’s Theatre. Current work includes IRL for George Street Playhouse, What Can’t Be Seen, developed at Passage Theater and Provincetown Playhouse, and Judgment of Bett, at Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices. His plays are published by Playscripts and Dramatic Publishing. He teaches playwriting, acting and dramatic literature at Princeton University.

1. What inspired you to write CONVIVENCIA?
I'd been interested in Spanish history since I started studying Spanish as a teenager. A number of years ago, I was talking to a theater about writing a piece focused on the conflict in the Middle East when I came across a book entitled Convivencia. I was fascinated reading about the interactions among the cultures and religions in medieval Spain. It seemed an exciting way to deal with the Arab-Israeli conflict from a different point of view.

2. How many full length plays have you written? How many one-acts?
About 25 full lengths and 20 short pieces.

3. What do you believe is the most valuable attribute you bring to the students you teach?
I set high standards but give them tons of support. But really you should ask them.

4. You've had plays produced outside of the USA, what is the major difference in production values that you experienced?
Unfortunately, I haven't seen almost any of the productions I've had overseas.

5. Do you have a favorite ice cream flavor?
No. If it's ice cream, I love it and I'll eat as much as you'll give me.

Click here to purchase a ticket to see CONVIVENCIA at FDU.
Click here to purchase a ticket to see CONVIVENCIA at The Growing Stage.
You can also find additional information on our website about the entire FORUM reading series.

$10 per reading
$25 for a FORUM pass (attend all 23 readings in the series)
Children attend free (with a paying adult) to the November 29 reading at Fairleigh Dickinson.
CONVIVENCIA is appropriate for teen audiences.