Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Best of Design Matters featuring Susan Laurie Parks

Release Date: March 3, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Design Matters with Debbie Millman, host Debbie Millman engages in an in-depth conversation with the illustrious playwright Susan Laurie Parks. Celebrated for her groundbreaking works in contemporary American theater, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Top Dog Underdog and the critically acclaimed Sally and Tom, Parks delves into her creative journey, artistic philosophies, and the intricate process behind her award-winning plays. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key insights, personal anecdotes, and the profound themes that define Parks' work.

Early Life and Family Background

Military Upbringing and Instilling Resilience

Susan Laurie Parks opens the conversation by reflecting on her early childhood shaped by her father's military career. Born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, she spent significant time in Odessa, Texas, during her father's tours in Korea and Vietnam. Parks emphasizes the resilience and organizational principles ingrained in her family due to the demands of military life.

Susan Laurie Parks [05:39]:
"Army families or families with one or more parents in the service have organizational principles that other families might not understand."

She shares poignant memories of relocating to West Texas to ensure her mother's safety and stability while her father was away, highlighting the emotional strain and the silent fears her mother carried during those tumultuous times.

Influence of Family and Early Artistic Exposure

Musical Influences and Creative Environment

Parks describes a household rich in music, heavily influenced by her father's passion for opera and her mother's love for jazz. Her father often lip-synced to Puccini and Wagner, creating a unique and inspiring ambiance that fostered her early appreciation for the arts.

Susan Laurie Parks [07:29]:
"What I love about both experiences is that I love the work. I love the digging or. And the being dug and how you trade. Sometimes I'm holding the spade, sometimes the spirit is holding the spade."

Her mother's efforts to teach her and her siblings jazz dance added another layer to Parks' artistic development, although she humorously admits to never mastering the jitterbug.

Early Creative Endeavors and Education

Writing and Artistic Expression from a Young Age

From a young age, Parks exhibited a profound inclination towards writing and creative expression. She recounts creating a homemade newspaper titled The Daily Daily during her fourth grade in Burlington, Vermont, inspired by her enamorment with Virginia Woolf's Harriet the Spy.

Susan Laurie Parks [09:28]:
"I would sit up in our attic and look out the window. There'd be things going on. And I thought, let me write a newspaper called the Daily Daily."

Her early foray into writing was marked by a blend of observation and imagination, laying the foundation for her future career in playwriting.

Navigating Racial Identity and Cultural Challenges

Experiences Abroad and Racial Dynamics

Parks discusses her family's move to Germany in 1974, where she and her siblings often found themselves as the only black individuals in their schools. These experiences, both in Germany and later in places like Vermont, exposed her to the complexities of racial identity and the universal human condition.

Susan Laurie Parks [14:42]:
"I embraced the difficult things. I work to see the humanity in all of us because it's there."

She recounts instances of being stared at or approached by strangers fascinated by her presence, both abroad and in the United States, illustrating the pervasive impact of race on personal interactions.

Overcoming Educational Challenges

High School Struggles and Finding Her Path

Despite her passion for writing, Parks faced discouragement from a high school teacher who doubted her potential due to her poor spelling abilities. This setback did not deter her; instead, it steered her towards alternative forms of expression.

Susan Laurie Parks [15:36]:
"I was told that with my skill set, it might not turn out the way I had hoped."

She humorously reflects on her high school days of failing spelling tests by inventing creative spellings, ultimately finding her unique voice and honing her skills beyond conventional academic metrics.

Musical Pursuits and Artistic Diversification

Integration of Music and Writing

Parks elaborates on her lifelong connection to music, beginning with piano and violin lessons in childhood and expanding to guitar in high school. Influenced by shows like Pete Seeger's Hootenanny, she cultivated a love for songwriting that complements her playwriting.

Susan Laurie Parks [18:28]:
"I was always making up little songs to go along with whatever was on the radio."

This fusion of music and writing is evident in her band, Sula and the Joyful Noise, where she writes all the songs, blending neo-soul and rock with rich lyrical narratives.

The Art of Playwriting and Process

Crafting Sally and Tom and Top Dog Underdog

Parks delves deep into her creative process, particularly in crafting her plays. Discussing Top Dog Underdog, she shares how the play was written in an accelerated timeframe of three days, contrasting with the decade-long development of Sally and Tom.

Susan Laurie Parks [33:53]:
"Top Dog Underdog went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in drama... [it] was an amazing piece of work."

In discussing Sally and Tom, she explores the intricate dynamics between historical figures Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, emphasizing the play's exploration of love, power, and forgiveness.

Susan Laurie Parks [00:05]:
"I felt like Thomas Jefferson had invited me into his house and I listened to him and I listened to Sally. And then you realize. But it's not just history, it's us."

Exploring Themes of History and Humanity

Balancing Humor and Tragedy in Sally and Tom

Parks articulates the delicate balance her play maintains between humor and the grave realities of history. She emphasizes that Sally and Tom does not make light of slavery but rather presents a nuanced portrayal of its characters' complexities.

Susan Laurie Parks [45:18]:
"We are not laughing at enslaved people. We are also not laughing or making a buffoon out of Thomas Jefferson."

The play serves as a mirror to contemporary society, urging audiences to confront historical truths while recognizing their ongoing relevance.

Impact of Awards and Recognition

Navigating Success and Maintaining Artistic Integrity

Receiving prestigious awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the MacArthur Genius Grant has significantly impacted Parks' career. She discusses the dual nature of such recognition, acknowledging both the validation it brings and the pressure to meet elevated expectations.

Susan Laurie Parks [35:24]:
"The expectation from home. From me. Yourself? Yeah."

Despite the accolades, Parks maintains that her relationship with awards remains balanced, viewing them as rightful acknowledgments of her hard work rather than as determinants of her creative direction.

Personal Philosophy and Artistic Vision

Embracing Complexity and Forgiveness

Parks shares her philosophy on the interconnectedness of history and personal identity, influenced by thinkers like James Baldwin. She believes in the necessity of forgiveness and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives as essential to personal and societal growth.

Susan Laurie Parks [40:55]:
"I have a spiritual understanding that forgiveness is necessary for freedom to happen."

Her work reflects a commitment to exploring the multifaceted nature of human experiences, advocating for empathy and understanding through her storytelling.

Musical Endeavors and Future Projects

Sula and the Joyful Noise and Upcoming Novels

In addition to her playwriting, Parks discusses her involvement with the band Sula and the Joyful Noise, where she continues to write and perform music. She expresses excitement about releasing new music while also hinting at forthcoming novels with Random House, showcasing her versatile talents across different artistic mediums.

Susan Laurie Parks [51:03]:
"We have drums and bass and a vibraphone player... we're very proud of them."

Conclusion

Legacy and Continued Influence

As the conversation wraps up, Parks reflects on her enduring connection to her roots and the ongoing influence of her early experiences on her work. She underscores the importance of creating art that resonates with diverse audiences, fostering dialogue, and inspiring change.

Susan Laurie Parks [52:04]:
"Thank you for making so much work that matters."

Through her plays, music, and forthcoming novels, Susan Laurie Parks continues to leave an indelible mark on American theater and the broader creative landscape, embodying the essence of Design Matters by designing the arc of her life with intentionality and creativity.

Listen to the full episode of "Best of Design Matters: Susan Laurie Parks" on Design Matters Media to dive deeper into her artistic journey and the stories that shape her remarkable work.