From what seed did the idea for Okay, Bye. grow?
Joshua Conkel: I looked around it seemed that all my peers had passed me by. I’d lost a partner, gone broke and was working a dead end job. I was listening to The Smiths a lot and also re-read The Bell Jar for the millionth time. It all kind of just came together.
What is your favorite part of the playmaking process, and why?
Joshua Conkel: Writing the first draft, for sure. that is exquisitely romantic work, even when you’re writing something painful. Rewrites are tedious and the rehearsal process is frightening, but putting the words to the page for the first time feels great.
Were you an “alternative” or a “Goody-Goody” in high school—or something else?
Joshua Conkel: I grew up in the Pacific Northwest during the 90’s. I have alternative music in my blood.
You wrote the first draft of this play while in New Zealand. Did being so far from home influence the writing at all?
Joshua Conkel: I owe the play to New Zealand. I left New York thinking I would never write again because i was so frustrated with my work and my process. I set up house in Auckland, took a full-time job at an ad agency, and started a completely new life. I decided that I would take my time writing one last play and if it worked out, then great. If not, I was happy regardless.
Okay, Bye is a notable stylistic departure from your earlier work. what prompted the change?
Joshua Conkel: I wanted to write something that was the opposite of anything I’d ever written before (large scale campy comedies). I tried really hard to stop myself from using anything in my usual bag of tricks. Without disavowing any of my earlier plays, I was very intentionally pushing the “restart” button with this play.
The Pyramid Challenge Play & Playwright in 55 Words
In one word what is your play about? Disappointment
In two words where is your favorite place to write? Kitchen table
In three words how vital are other people’s opinions when you are working on a piece? I solicit selectively
In four words what dreams do you have for the characters in your play? That they find peace
In five words who is your favorite writer, and why? Dorothy Parker, depressed and hilarious
In six words describe what happened on your least favorite writing day. I had to start from scratch
In seven words describe what happened on your favorite writing day. A Google Hangout reading in New Zealand
In eight words what did the first version of this play look like? There was an extraneous character who I cut
In nine words what is your play about? The pain of aging and finding your life disappointing
In ten words in what future projects should we look out for you? YA books, web stuff, a graphic novel, and future plays