Page 16 - Time Magazine, Sep. 17, 2018

Young Jean Lee that you’re told when you’re mean to you? I know it’s write about identities outside
First Asian-American woman young have this impact something that I’m supposed of my own because I’m
to write a play produced on on you. But when I moved to be really excited about, collaborating with the actors
Broadway to New York and got into and I am very grateful. But who are from that identity
this world of experimental 2018 seems too late to have group to make a show for
You’ve said you couldn’t theater, there was a real ef- the first Asian-American them.
picture yourself working fort toward inclusion. When female [playwright] on
in theater, even though I showed up on the scene Broadway, and it’s always Do you have advice for
you loved seeing shows as an Asian-American fe- made me a little bit sad to aspiring playwrights?
as a child. Why not? When male, people really wanted think about. Practice kindness toward
I tried to join my school’s to support me. If I had come yourself as a writer, because
drama club, the drama here and said I want to be Your work tackles struggles the biggest obstacles I see
teacher said, “Well, we’re on Broadway right away, faced by people of all get in writers’ ways are these
doing Oklahoma!, and there I would have had a much identities. How do you write critical monsters in their
are no Asians in Oklahoma!” rockier path. about things you haven’t heads that tell them what
That’s probably a big part experienced? I’m not really they’re writing isn’t good
of the reason why I didn’t Your play Straight White a normal playwright who just enough. Absolutely do not
start theater practice until Men opened on Broadway writes a play by herself at her beat yourself up. You can be JUNE CANEDO FOR TIME
I was 28, 29 years old—it’s in July, making you a desk and then gives it to a mean later on when you’re
amazing how these things “first.” What does that director and a producer. I can polishing.—LUCY FELDMAN
52 TIME September 17, 2018