Playwright Profile - Michael Scholar Jr.

Bringing Hard Core Logo to the Stage in 2010

Mar 14, 2009 Andrea Beca

An interview with Michael Scholar Jr., creator of November Theatre, who is currently adapting the punk classic, Hard Core Logo, for the stage.

Michael Scholar Jr. started November Theatre in the late 90s when he produced the world English premiere of The Black Rider, written by Tom Waits, Robert Wilson, and William S. Burroughs. The show had great success and toured extensively, most recently to Tarragon Theatre in Toronto, where it retired in November 2008. Since then, Scholar has started work on two new projects - Suite101 caught up with him to discuss his approach to playwriting.

What is the starting point of a play for you?

Well I've written a few scenes, I've co-written a one woman show, written a couple short films, and now I'm working on my first full-length play by myself, but it's an adaptation. I guess for me, in all these different projects, I approach it like a director. I start by seeing how a project, or a scene would be fully realized and engaging to an audience or myself, and then I work backwards from there to make it work. Like a detective, I try to find what pieces fit to make the whole, and I keep refining until the edges of each piece are smooth and seamless (hopefully).

What is your writing process? Do you start writing right away? Outline? Research?

I like to do a lot of research, first gathering information, making lists, writing outlines and then I write from start to finish. It's very linear. Maybe boring to others, but it's the only way I can understand the story as it unfolds.

Do you work on one play until it's done, or do you work on multiple plays at once?

I'm very methodical. I like to write (and do) one thing at a time. But right now I'm writing two different projects simultaneously. Caravan Farm Theatre commissioned us, November Theatre, and 5 other Vancouver companies to create a modern morality play called Everyone for the summer of 2010. And I'm also working on my adaptation of Michael Turner's book and Bruce McDonald's film, Hard Core Logo, which November Theatre is co-producing with 3 other companies for the 2010/2011 season. Although both of these works are on my table at the same time, I'm very clear as to when it's a 'Hard Core' day and when it's an 'Everyone' day.

Do you have a special writing place?

I like to leave town. Leave distractions. Leave the Internet. I like cabins, so I've been borrowing and stealing cabins for the last year. I even spent a month in Puerto Rico, which really helped me get a few drafts in.

What do you struggle with when you write a play?

Clearing my desk of other obligations.

When do you consider a play done?

I would keep changing things up until closing night, if other people would let me.

What do you need to have with you when you write?

Instrumental music.

What was the first play you ever wrote?

Other's Day, a one-act play written at the Saskatchewan Drama Association's 24 hr playwriting competition sometime in the mid 90s. It was about me and my mother.

What is the most recent play you've written?

Hard Core Logo.

Who is your favourite playwright?

Edward Albee.

What one play do you think everyone should read or see?

Anthony Nielsen's Stitching.

What one piece of advice would you give to an aspiring playwright?

Produce your own work, but don't direct it.

For more on Michael's upcoming projects, check out the November Theatre website.