Middle Tennessee State University - Staged Reading

Director’s Note

What do you see as your purpose in life? I wonder if that purpose has changed and evolved as you’ve experienced more and more life. I can certainly say that mine has. Theatre has always been a part of my life, but before I realized that it was what I wanted to do, I always imagined myself following my mom’s path into a career in the medical field. For most of my life I was certain that I would go to college and eventually go to medical school, but here I am now: a senior Theatre student at MTSU, preparing to move from the college life I have made for myself into the “real world.” In Paperback Writer, our protagonist, Desmond finds himself in a major moment of transition. Following the passing of his mother, he seeks to realize his passion of becoming a writer, but throughout this journey he finds something more. He finds love, and friendship.

I think that everyone can find something in Desmond that relates to their own lives. His story reflects the transformative power that comes from opening up your heart to change and the people that come into your life. To tell this story, our playwright, Jessica Pruitt, included portions of music by the Beatles that will be performed by our actors and our band members. The music included in this reading reflects the pure joy and power that you find in other people, because the Beatles were just that: impulsive, bold, and fun.