Playwright Interview
Get to know...
Lizz Mangan,
author of
PER MY LAST EMAIL
Name: Lizz Mangan
Pronouns: they/them
Lizz Mangan (They/Them/Theirs) is a playwright, dramaturg, and educator who focuses on queering theater in both subject and structure. Their work plays with non-linear storylines, queer time theory, weird internet subcultures, and how life is kind of funny in its craziness! Until, you know...it's not. Lizz is a proud alumna of the University of Connecticut where they received their BA in Theatre Studies with a focus in Playwriting and Dramaturgy and the National Theater Institute's Advanced Playwriting Program (Spring 2018).
Q&A With
Lizz Mangan
We asked Lizz a few questions about their show (PER MY LAST EMAIL), their work as a writer, and about their history. Check out the show + meet our amazing cast at our fourth annual First Flight Festival, opening Thursday June 25!
Can you share a quick teaser for your show? What's it about?
It’s 2020 and things are weird and Sarah isn’t doing well with being cooped up inside but Lisa is doing yoga and drinking celery juice and she’s fine so why isn’t Sarah fine why isn’t Lisa reading Sarah’s emails Sarah has something to tell Lisa…
Where are you from?
Originally from Connecticut!
When did you start writing?
This is a hard question just because tbh I can’t think of a time I WASN’T writing! I grew up loving stories, then found theatre, and after realizing I could combine the two, I never looked back! Also I have a very long history as a fanfiction writer, which really everything in my life goes back to. If you get a few drinks in me I am sure you can get me to expose my old handle…
Is there one thing or theme that keeps coming up in your work?
A lot of my inspiration comes from my experience with having unmonitored internet access as a child lol. I love exploring the weird, niche online communities that exist online, and how the internet helps and hinders connection.
What writing do you like to read or watch? Any particular influences on your work (or recommendations for other emerging artists)?
I love media that expands and transcends genres and mediums! Unconventional communities, premises that push the boundaries of comfort, and narratives dealing with obsession are my jam. I would say influences definitely include the works of Sarah Ruhl, Fake Friends and Mara Nelson-Greenberg to name a few!
What was the first play you ever saw, or best play that you’ve ever seen?
I don’t think I can remember the first ever play I saw…probably some local children's theatre show haha.
One of the best plays I’ve seen was Mara Nelson-Greenberg’s Do You Feel Anger? The absurdism of the script really helped me release my ideas of what a play can look/sound like!
Anything to promote? What are you working on now?
My play, Strike/Out, is published with the wonderful 1319 Press! Check it out at
https://kangaroo-heptagon-8j24.squarespace.com/strikeout