Well: Meta-Theatrical
“10 Minutes to Curtain” Bonus Feature Transcript

KATE LEVY, “Lisa Kron”: My understanding of it is something that’s “meta” is…it transcends its own form, in this case it’s self-consciously theatrical. It’s theatre that knows it’s theatre, that is theatre that knows it’s artificial and plays with that form. But if we talk about that, people won’t come to this because it sounds intellectual and difficult and the fact that the actress doesn’t even know what “meta” means—don’t worry about it! What I’ve just explained about the form breaking down and real life coming in on stage disrupting the play…that’s all you need to know. Truly. And then you can go look up “meta.” Go ahead, if you want to. Knock yourself out with that dictionary.

KENT THOMPSON, Artistic Director: So how did you market “meta-theatrical?” I mean—what does it mean in the marketing world?

MELISSA MARANO, Marketing Director: Confusing is what it means. People don’t get it. They don’t—

KENT THOMPSON: I mean is that, is that what it means in the—

DOUG LANGWORTHY, Dramaturg: Well I think if you just bring up an example like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with the Pyramus and Thisbe play within the larger play. That’s a play within a play—that’s meta-theatrical.

KENT THOMPSON: Yeah, but on the other hand, I never meta-theatrical I didn’t like!