David James Brock is a Canadian writer of opera, theatre, poetry, and film. Author of poetry collections Everyone is CO2 and Ten-Headed Alien. Co-creator of Breath Cycle, an opera for cystic fibrosis.
A Million Billion Pieces officially opens on November 28th (with previews on November 25, 26, 27) at Young People’s Theatre. I was happy to answer some questions that Jennifer Parr of WholeNote Magazine had recently. From the article The Parts that Musical Passion Plays.
When I asked Brock if his writing process changed for this project since he was writing for a teenage audience, he said, “not much. The characters are teenagers, but they’ve lived their whole lives being told they wouldn’t survive to adulthood, so they’ve had to fit as much as possible in on a countdown. These characters are hyper aware of the finite amount of time in a life. I think we all have a sense we’re not using the time we have correctly – I certainly do.
A Million Billion Pieces runs at Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre from November 25 - December 13. For rehearsal photos, show information, and ticket information, check out their website.
As usual, I'm not updating this blog enough, but I'd be remiss not to give some props over the next few week to people that have made my life fun and productive lately. The first is Dawn Kresan at Pelee Island Book House, who has started an incredible Writer's Retreat on Pelee Island (a place I'd never been to, and now, a place I'm eager to return).
Writers Dawn Kresan & Alisa York listen to a reading from Diana Leszczynski at magic hour on Pelee Island
I spent a week at this retreat in early May working on a number of projects (though I workshopped a section from my novel about the 1912 Detroit Tigers). I met some wonderful writers, learned a few things about bird identification, went to a birding banquet (a surreal, almost David Lynchian experience that I expect Grant Munroe will encapsulate with eloquence), drank some wine, and wrote a hell of a lot.
Margaret Atwood leads a chicken symphony...I think.
And please if you get the chance, attend the Pelee Island Book House. This place has the potential to be an iconic spot for writers, and Dawn has created something special here.
Cajoled by the Kansas City Royals first World Series appearance since 1985, I take a personal history time travel to baseball’s role in my first attempts at playwriting. Then the closer comes in: a few photos of baseball nostalgia related to the 1985 Major League baseball season.
