Meet Bethany Dickens Assaf | Playwright and Producing Director of Whiskey Theatre Factory

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bethany Dickens Assaf and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bethany, what do you want your legacy to be?
As a playwright and an independent theatre producer, I think often about whether or not my work will have any staying power – I believe that part of why all of us write is to put our voices out there, beyond ourselves! As I get older, however, I’m beginning to realize that the impacts I’m most proud of are not the occasional awards, paychecks, or productions. Those opportunities can even cause more stress than anything, and are very few and far between. I find myself much more inspired and excited when I’ve made a difference in someone’s life – a 50s+ female actor who gets to play the compelling leading part in a romance I’ve written, a new playwright I’ve mentored and who exceeds me artistically and professionally, a friend I’ve supported who gets a major break. My theatre collective is very focused on being a welcoming space for new and emerging artists to try things and I’d like for us to be remembered for that.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a playwright and a theatre producer, often producing my own work by myself or with my collective. I write about the intersection of nerd culture and gender, usually with a speculative (sci-fi, fantasy, horror) element. It has taken me years to be able to succinctly describe what it is I write, so I’m proud of the journey I’ve taken. I’ve been produced nationally (worldwide technically since I just had a few plays in London!) but I have found that I prefer to work with my close collaborators here in Central Florida. Getting to where I am has not been easy. Writing takes a great deal of focus, concentration, and a strong ability to take, process, and implement feedback. As a sensitive soul, feedback – even gently given – used to devastate me. Now I take it in stride! I want everyone to know that being teachable is essential to being an artist. You will never grow if you cannot take a note.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Orlando? I’m always down for a bit of the theme parks but we have a very underrated dining scene in the downtown area. We’d certainly see lots of plays – not at the major theatres, but at one of the over 40 small theatre companies that fill black boxes and found spaces in Orlando!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I met my best friend, Charis Watler, five years ago when she directed a short play of mine for a showcase. We worked together several times thereafter and I was so taken with her confidence, poise, and artistic ability. As a creative with strongly felt opinions about almost everything, I appreciated that she always directed my work with confidence in her own vision, while always being gracious and kind to me. She is now the Artistic Director of Whiskey Theatre Factory and I am Producing Director. We were warm colleagues before we started this journey and now I don’t know what I would do if she wasn’t in my life. As an emotional person, often buffeted by strong feelings, she receives me with grace and understanding every time I need to process. She makes me a better artist through fair and gracious criticism – her standards are high, and she makes me want to write better! Most importantly, as the negative voices in my head start to crowd in, she is always a firm voice of reason. Regardless of what happened with theatre and playwriting, I know she will be my friend for the rest of my life.

Website: http://www.bethanydickens.com

Other: Sorry I’m not a very online gal! 🙂

Image Credits
Photos by Bethany Dickens Assaf and David Dickens