New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 2 | Page 18

Ekstrand — We always produce contemporary plays that strive to have relevance in the lives of our audience , and as our audience ’ s lives change , our choices will adapt . I ’ ll quote from our mission here : “ We seek to expose theatregoers to ideas and lives like and unlike their own , with the intention of awakening their imaginations and creating empathy for others .” That ’ s what we ’ ll continue to do . But I know we will have a heightened awareness of what messages we ’ re communicating to the world , and use our platform to encourage the health of our community .

Do you think playwrights might tackle issues of racism , xenophobia , hatred , or gay rights -- either involving politics or as its own topic ? Ekstrand — Since those issues are already being dealt with on stages all over the country , I believe the desire to illuminate those topics will only increase . I also believe that the vast major-