New Jersey Stage January 2015 | Page 94

making a living full-time wage. “When I received the Hodder Fellowship I quit my sensible day job in Los Angeles and came out to New Jersey for a wonderful year of writing,” said Lewis. “What I moved away from was my entire theatre community that I had been building over the years in Los Angeles. I was happily adopted by the Playwrighting Lab workshop that they have at Passage Theatre. It was only a few miles down the road and does all new work. I premiered New Jersey Stage True Story there. I loved working with the director on that show and I’m excited to be working with him again on The Gun Story. “For the challenge that it was to write it, I’m glad I wrote The Gun Story,” continued Lewis. “It was time for me to talk about it and time to finally take part in the conversation and to be brave enough to open the issue, so I’m trying to be.” --Gary Wien January 2015 pg 94