Playwright Lena Waithe on taking the leap to the stage: ‘This one is definitely Everest’

Key Concepts

• Trinity: Lena Waithe’s play exploring themes of fantasy, reality, and unspoken desires through a three-person cast.
• Existentialism: The play grapples with “what if” scenarios and fundamental questions about life choices, without offering definitive answers.
• The Shy: Waithe’s groundbreaking Showtime series, concluding after a historically long run, focusing on Black queer life in Chicago.
• Live Performance vs. Film/TV: The unique challenges and rewards of theatre, particularly the lack of editing and the direct connection with a live audience.
• Human Connection & Empathy: The overarching theme of Waithe’s work, emphasizing shared human experiences beyond identity categories.

Lena Waithe on "Trinity" and Reflecting on Her Career

This discussion with Emmy Award-winning writer and performer Lena Waithe centers on her theatrical debut, Trinity, the final season of her acclaimed series The Shy, and her broader artistic philosophy. Waithe articulates the significance of transitioning to the stage and the core themes driving her creative work.

The Allure of the Stage & "Trinity"

Waithe describes her decision to move into theatre as a desire to break free from the “boxes” of television and film. She emphasizes the boundless creative potential of the stage, noting “there’s no walls, there’s no ceiling really, you can do anything.” This freedom encourages a return to imaginative play, tapping into “your inner child.”

Trinity itself is presented as an exploration of the “what if” questions that haunt individuals – “What if I never cheated? What if I never got married?” – framing it as an “existential play” designed to provoke conversation rather than provide solutions. The play features a three-person cast, described as a “trinity,” requiring intense connection and reliance between the actors, as “everybody’s line depends on your next line.” Waithe highlights the unique thrill of a live audience, particularly in a society experiencing increasing isolation, and her desire to revitalize the tradition of storytelling through theatre. The play will run at Baltimore Center Stage from February 12th through March 8th.

The Unique Challenges of Live Theatre

Waithe acknowledges the inherent anxieties of performing live, stating she is “nervous” but “excited” about opening night. She contrasts theatre with film and television, emphasizing the lack of a “safety net” – “there’s no second take.” If an actor forgets a line, they must improvise and maintain the illusion of intentionality. This demands a high level of preparation and collaboration.

Reflecting on "The Shy" & its Legacy

The conversation shifts to The Shy, which is concluding after a remarkable run. Waithe expresses gratitude for the show’s longevity, noting that its five seasons are “unheard of” in contemporary television. She describes the final season as “the last dance,” aiming to “land the plane” gracefully and provide a sense of closure for both the characters and the audience. She characterizes the experience as “like an old family reunion every week.”

Core Themes & Artistic Vision

Waithe articulates a central tenet of her work: the fundamental similarities that unite humanity. Despite acknowledging the importance of individual identities (“I’m black, I’m female, I’m queer”), she stresses that “at the end of the day…we’re all human beings.” She hopes Trinity will foster empathy, encouraging audiences to “see themselves in these characters” and engage in “more self-reflective” thought. As Waithe states, “we are all more alike than we’d like to maybe believe.”

Logical Connections

The discussion flows logically from Waithe’s current project (Trinity) to her past successes (The Shy), revealing a consistent artistic throughline. The challenges of live theatre are presented as a natural progression in her career, driven by a desire for greater creative freedom and a more direct connection with audiences. Her reflections on The Shy demonstrate a sense of accomplishment and a commitment to representing marginalized voices. Ultimately, the conversation culminates in a statement of her overarching artistic goal: to promote empathy and understanding through storytelling.

This interview provides insight into Lena Waithe’s creative process, her artistic motivations, and her vision for the future of storytelling. Her transition to the stage represents a bold new chapter in her career, driven by a desire to explore the boundaries of performance and connect with audiences on a deeper level.