Meet Naya James Sonnad | Playwright, Screenwriter, Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Naya James Sonnad and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Naya, why did you pursue a creative career?
It took me a long time to understand the value of art and creativity.

We all have incredible capacity to create. Alas, we live in a world that values consumerism over these essential creative impulses—which limits so many people from making artistic contributions (and we’re all the worse off for it!).

I was certainly caught in the trap. I come from a family stacked with terminally educated professionals. I cared about helping people, so I was pre-med despite the haywire dramatist inside me screaming to be let out. I just couldn’t see how an artist could possibly contribute to society or make anyone’s life better.

Well, I was young and dumb. Nothing could be further from the truth! Art is storytelling…and stories hold unlimited power.

The stories we’re told can inspire hope, spark revolution, and catalyze historic leaps in progress. On the flip side: war, genocide and countless other atrocities have been ignited by a strong narrative.

Once I grasped this concept, it became my life’s work to be one of the storytellers on the right side of history. I believe strongly in the power of human potential to build a world where everyone is valued. To build this world, we have to imagine it! So I write plays and movies that center on hope, joy, resistance and grit in the face of ignorance and oppression.

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.
Much of my work rails against the notion of setting one apart from others; rather it focuses on how connected we truly are. I’m big on the shared experience—sitting in an audience as everyone laughs at the same joke feels almost magical. It may come as a surprise after my previous (acerbic, ahem) comments…but I actually write a lot of comedy!

Life can be dark, tragic…and utterly preposterous. So I’ve always found humor as one of the best ways to process themes that could otherwise be overwhelming. I write a lot of sci-fi, speculative work (think Black Mirror). But through the lens of action, comedy, cartoon, or even a little song and dance. I never want things to feel so depressing that they make us lose hope.

I have a bunch of stuff I’m excited about right now! My new play Tipping Point was nominated for this year’s Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and has had a couple fantastic staged readings, so we’re happily working on finding a good home for it.

And two feature film scripts, one a martial arts movie, very high-concept and high-octane. The other, a more grounded dramedy centered on a disenchanted stay-at-home-mom who escapes suburban sadness by entering the world of Rock & Roll. Awesomeness ensues!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d definitely take them to see A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson, playing now at the Ahmanson—I saw it twice on Broadway and it was mind-blowing. Also to check out the inimitable Starkid at El Portal. And of course we must see a Groundlings show.

By this time, my friend is like, “why am I in Southern California being forced to sit inside a dark theater the whole time?” To which I reply, “because you’re visiting a theater nerd.”

“Fine,” I relent. “I’ll take you to a research library.” They’re worried this is a lateral move, if not worse. Luckily it’s not just any library! It’s The Huntington, and after walking through its transcendent gardens and replenishing some Vitamin D, their faith is restored long enough to go into the coldest, darkest place of all—SPACE. The Griffith Planetarium!

This friend is being such a good sport that I reward them with the eye candy of Venice beach. We hit brunch at Crossroads Kitchen, then a bit of shopping at the mothership, Besties Vegan paradise.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I love that you ask this question! My partner JJ has given me unwavering love and support, which has sustained me and strengthened my work over the years. My sister’s been my #1 fan since I left the womb (and I hers!). My very supportive mom and my visionary production partner Lu Bellini are always first reads on new scripts. The wonderful director Yvonne Paretsky has been such a champion of my work. And full circle shoutout, the talented actress Sasha Gordon put me in touch with your mag.

I have a tremendous network of friends and colleagues who help me through development and workshopping. Theater and film are such collaborative art forms that having their input from the ground up is invaluable. Shoutout to Naked Angels, who consistently support writers and actors both in NYC and LA!

Website: https://www.nayajames.com

Instagram: @nayajames

Image Credits
Jules Slutsky