Nathan Louis Jackson: A playwright observes the world and discovers how families collide and divide

One of the unfortunate duties of an artist is to be an observer. As a playwright, it is a necessity that I closely observe the world around me. I then form an opinion based on what I’ve observed and express that opinion by recreating the world on stage. This often requires me to separate myself from the world around me, so I can take an objective look at it. Just like a scientist, I must sometimes resist the urge to interact with the subject being studied.

The problem comes when an artist gets too comfortable with the passive act of watching the world around him. Becoming a life long bystander is a trick that any of us can fall into. I know this is difficult nowadays with television, cellphones, social media, and so many other things that encourage us to sit quietly and view the world. But there are moments when a person stops observing the forces that shape the world around then and takes a step to become one of those forces.

This line of thinking motivated me to write my newest play, “Sticky Traps,” which opens at The Kansas City Repertory Theater on May 1. In this story a church that preaches hate confronts a grieving mother, Linda. Her son Cameron has recently committed suicide and all she wants to do is lay him to rest. But Linda’s brother, Jay Pratt, threatens to ruin her son’s funeral by picketing it. Linda accepts that Jay has the right to say whatever he wants, but she knows it doesn’t make it the right thing to say. After years of “observing” her brother’s deplorable actions, she is moved to take a stand against them.

Here is a snippet of the play.

REV. PRATT

I was going to warn you about this.

LINDA

I didn’t need a warning. I needed you to keep your word.

REV. PRATT

It was out of my hands.

LINDA

You promised me, Jay. You promised not to bring that madness to my son’s funeral.

REV. PRATT

The congregation backed me into a corner. I did all I could, but I have to practice what I preach.

LINDA

You started that church. You run that church. We both know that if you didn’t want to be here, you wouldn’t have to.

REV. PRATT

I gotta be consistent.

LINDA

That’s what’s most important to you. Consistency.

REV. PRATT

You are the only one in the family that still talks to me. You know that. And here I am standing against you. It tears me up inside.

LINDA

Oh stop.

REV. PRATT

I love ya’ll.

LINDA

Stop it. Stop. Do you even see what you’re doing? It’s what you always do. You hurt people and then profess your love to them. It’s sick.

REV. PRATT

It’s the truth.

LINDA

No. It’s sick and it’s painful. Do you understand that, Jay? That I have a lion’s share of hurt just with Cameron’s death? To have you pile up more pain on top of that is too much. Call it off.

REV. PRATT

I can’t.

LINDA

I’m begging you.

REV. PRATT

You know I can’t.

LINDA

Jay, I’m begging you. Please.

REV. PRATT

It’s too late. We’ll be out there. And that’s all there is to it.

This story was originally published April 28, 2015 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Nathan Louis Jackson: A playwright observes the world and discovers how families collide and divide."