Motherhood added to multi-tasking writer’s to-do list

Kimberly Spice–

There seems to be no rest for 36-year-old, playwright Hanna Moscovitch, who works on a number of projects simultaneously in theatre, opera, film and television.

“It’s kind of a train wreck a lot of the time,” Moscovitch told The Bulletin. “I’m always working on a bunch of projects all of the time. I currently hold six or seven theatre commissions and I’m working on an opera and I work in television. I’m working on a couple of film projects. It’s always like that and you hope and pray that it doesn’t turn into too big a train wreck.”

The Adelaide and Portland St. resident has received a number of awards for all her efforts such as the Toronto Critic’s Choice Award for Best Canadian Play, the Trillium Book Award and the Summer Works Prize for Best Production.

Not writing with the intension of providing any specific message, Moscovitch focuses on the complex psychology of her characters arriving at broader, social, philosophical questions rather than explicit lessons and although her work has been labeled funny and dark by others she sees it differently.

“I tend to write stuff that is funny but dark,” commented Moscovitch. “It’s funny to say that even, because that’s more of what I’ve been told, then what I try to do. It’s more what I hear about my work than a conscious effort on my part. I guess there are lessons in what I’m writing but I never try explicitly for that.”

Being a playwright has its advantages but also comes with not being able to rely on a steady stream of income or work.

“It’s well worth it to be a playwright because you are doing meaningful work that you love,” reflects Moscovitch. “There are some downsides. The pay is sporadic and unpredictable. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad and I think for a lot of people that would be a disincentive. You sometimes get criticized publically, which is sometimes more difficult. It’s freelance so it’s hard to plan long term.”

Planning long term is going to become a large part of Moscovitch’s life very soon as she is 6 months pregnant and has arranged for a 4 month leave.

“It’s going to be like a bombs going to go off in my life,” Moscovitch projected. “There’s no way around it. I’m going to take some time off. I’m not a total crazy person. I know that at least. It’s my first baby and I managed to clear my schedule for 4 months, completely.”

More information about Moscovitch can be found at http://www.playwrightsguild.ca/playwright/hannah-moscovitch  and people can see her new play Infinity at the Tarragon Theatre opening April 1.
Visit www.tarragontheatre.com.