“I hope this will inspire working artists to demand better from the companies they’re giving their best ideas and work to, and help people who have been in situations or relationships with a clear power imbalance to feel seen.”
Responder: Becca Twiggs, Writer, producer
Name of Company: Twiggstory Inc
Name of Show: Hannah & Greta, or The Cost of Livin’ The Dream
- Why should people see your show?
I hope that Hannah & Greta, or The Cost of Livin’ The Dream will resonate with the millennial and gen-z crowd and the struggle to pursue an artistic career while living in late-stage capitalism and fighting against people and a system that does not see us as fully human, just products that can be consumed and taken advantage of. I specifically wrote it based on my own experiences working in entertainment as a young woman who has been lured in then taken advantage of by men in high-up positions, and it’s, unfortunately, something that a lot of women and femme-presenting people can relate to.
- What about festivals intrigues you? Any why the Atlanta Fringe?
I’ve always loved the festival scene, and the opportunity to see a variety of cool, weird, and inspiring shows that I might not have otherwise been produced! And anything that promotes the work of local Atlanta artists is something I want to support.
- What inspired you to create this?
This show started as an assignment for a writing class in college. The prompt was to modernize a fairytale, and a story that called to me was Hansel and Gretel. I was curious to see how a story about two children being drawn in by an evil witch with promises of sweets and shelter could be translated to the 21st century. It soon became clear that the obvious move was to make the main characters recent college grads drawn in by an exploitative workplace with promises of a livable wage, stability, and the chance to use their degrees. As a millennial/gen-z cusper, I’ve had my fair share of exploitative bosses and toxic work environments, and I wanted to make a show that really explored the balance of how to do what you love and get some sense of stability without sacrificing your voice.
- This year ain’t normal and there’s no sense pretending it is. How has Covid affected what you’re doing for this festival?
A lot of the show was actually written with covid restrictions in mind. The month after I graduated in May 2020 (a fantastic time to graduate with an arts degree in hopes of working in theatre!), I rewrote the script to have only three characters, all of whom would either exist at opposite ends of the stage or only in voice-over. That specific version of Hannah & Greta never got to see the light of day, seeing that the covid/digital play festivals I submitted to ended up either getting canceled or shut down. The 2022 version of the script still keeps some of the same elements to heighten the sense of fear and isolation, but as covid restrictions are becoming more relaxed, I wanted to add some points of physical connection between the characters.
- What have you learned from working on your show so far?
Still in the process of learning this, but scheduling rehearsals while working with the needs of four different very talented working Atlanta artists.
- There’s a mysterious stranger in the back row of your show, wearing a big ol’ N95 mask and a baseball cap and there’s something weirdly familiar about them, and then they come up afterwards to tell you they loved your show. In your WILDEST DREAMS, who is this mysterious stranger? (Bonus points if your mysterious stranger is an Atlanta celeb.)
Honestly, Topher Payne. He’s a playwright here in town, and every show I’ve seen that he’s written is just great. I met him exactly one time after I saw him in The Santaland Diaries at Horizon Theatre and promptly embarrassed myself. So the idea that he would give his stamp of approval to something I’ve written? I’m sweating just thinking about it.
[Above – Topher is definitely giving you approval, and it feels amazing, and then he does one of his big laughs and gahhhhh, you’re right Becca, we’re sweating.]
- Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: are you inviting your family to this show are “Hey, maybe sit this one out you guys…”
This is definitely one of the more tame things I’ve written in the last few years, I would just need to remind my mom that everything in the show is fictional so she doesn’t freak out!
- We’ve asked this question every year for the past ten years or so but it hits different this year: Will your show change the world?
I sure hope so! I hope this will inspire working artists to demand better from the companies they’re giving their best ideas and work to, and help people who have been in situations or relationships with a clear power imbalance to feel seen.
- Zoom meetings: dress up head to toe or Donald Duck it?
We are full-on Donald Duckin’ it all day every day, baby!
- We’re making an excellent Fringey Feelings playlist. Describe your show in two or three songs we can add to keep the jams flowing.
As it would so happen, I have actually made a Spotify playlist that I think captures the vibes of Hannah & Greta. The three favorites from that playlist:
– 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton
– Welcome to The Internet by Bo Burnham
– All Too Well (Ten Minute Version)(Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift
Sounds incredible, right? Gonna need to nab those tickets, right? Click here to reserve your seats today!
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