New Jersey Stage 2016: Issue 12 | Page 107

around the same time that a highly anti-climate change administration is about to take office. “We open a week after the inauguration, so I suppose there could be no E.P.A. by the time we open!” said George. “Just a closed sign on the door of the E.P.A. - not that the E.P.A. was doing all that much to prevent climate change, this is just an acceleration in a way in that direction.” The playwright, who lives in Brooklyn, said her love of gardening was her lead in towards writing this story. Even though she only has about ten feet of bad dirt to work in, she is very interested in gardening which led to the formation of Diane’s character. George says gardeners sort of play the role of the proverbial ‘canaries in a coal mine’ when it comes to climate change by noticing the way certain zones are shifting and growth cycles are changing. “It’s a small or intimate/personal relationship to the big shift,” she explains. “That’s how I get into it.” NJ STAGE 2016 - ISSUE 12 INDEX THE CAST Nikiya Mathis Danielle Skraastad NEXT ARTICLE 107