10 Questions
Take Ten: Helen Pafumi
In this week’s Take Ten, playwright Helen Pafumi shares the early inspiration of Hawaiian Hulu and the joy of watching a cast at work. A provocative look at interfaith relationships, her play Redder Blood, playing at The Hub Theatre through July 31, features weeklly post-show discussions with religious leaders.
1) What was the first show you ever saw, and what impact did it have?
Growing up in rural Hawaii, Hula competitions were the first shows I ever saw, and they were incredible. The power and grace of that storytelling has always stayed with me. I think that kind of connection to the story is something for which I have continued to strive.
2) What was your first involvement in a theatrical production?
The 3rd grade Valentine's play. I was the villain and I loved it.
3) What’s your favorite play or musical, and why do you like it so much?
This changes all the time and it has to do with the poetry of the words and how well they explain life. These days, lines float through my mind from Adam Bock’s Typographer’s Dream, Philip Dawkin’s Failure: A Love Story. And I constantly think about Charles Mee’s Big Love, especially the end.
4) What’s the worst day job you ever took?
I worked three jobs when I was in college and one of them was retail at a small town department store. It doesn’t sound awful, but I am not good at waiting around. It was always slow and time crawled. I despised that job.
5) What is your most embarrassing moment in the theatre?
I’m sure I’ve had them, probably a lot of them, but I can’t think of any. Maybe because I recall those moments as funny, or mistakes I learned from, or mistakes that ended up being wonderful.
6) What are you enjoying most about working on Redder Blood?
It’s a gift to see what this cast has discovered. Watching them breathe life into these roles has been such a joy. I have loved watching the family dynamic grow, and the budding romance become so nuanced, and when God speaks in this show, it feels like hope. Megan, Vanessa, Michael, Jonathan, Carlos, Dawn and Jenna are fantastic – come see them!
7) What is the strangest thing you ever had to research for a play?
Things people make into balls. The search results are impressive.
8) What is your dream role/job?
As much as I love producing and writing for the stage, I would love to also move over to writing for film and TV.
9) If you could travel back in time, what famous production or performance would you choose to see?
I would have loved to see Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle on Broadway. But I would probably trade that up to see The Beatles in person.
10) What advice would you give to an 8 year-old smitten by theatre / for a graduating MFA student?
The 8 year old - Have fun seeing and doing theatre, and make sure to share and have good manners. The MFA student - do this craft with generosity and kindness. And have good manners.
Helen Murray Pafumi is a director and playwright, as well as the Artistic Director and co-founder of The Hub Theatre in Virginia. Since the Hub's inception Helen has produced and directed multiple World, U.S. and Area Premiers, an annual free staged reading series, new play festivals, and commissioned original work from area artists. She has directed both locally and across the country. Her original plays have been produced by The Hub, Theater Alliance, ArtsWest, Malibu Playhouse, JCCNV and been seen at the Kennedy Center's Page-to-Stage Festival. In addition to her writing and role at The Hub, Helen has worked as an actor in many DC area theatres, including Folger Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Theater J, Forum Theatre, Theater Alliance, Rorschach Theatre, Keegan Theatre, Didactic Theatre, The Inkwell, the Source Festival, and the Beckett Centenary Festival. She has appeared in numerous independent films and area commercials. Helen holds a BA in Theatre from Virginia Tech. She has been nominated for a Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding New Play for her co-adaptation of Wonderful Life. Helen's play Abominable was nominated for the Steinberg New Play Award and her newest play Redder Blood won the 2016 Jewish Playwriting Contest from JPP. She is the recipient of the Puffin Foundation Award and the Washington Canadian Partnership Award.
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