A Conversation with Maria Margaret Wilson on the Occasion of her Show "Me, Myself, and Why (Am I Here?) " at the Broadwater Main Stage During the Hollywood Fringe Festival, by James Scarborough

“Me, Myself, and Why (Am I Here?)” examines self-confrontation and existential crisis.  Written, produced, and performed by Maria Margaret Wilson, the play unravels the layers  of personal identity and the cumulative impact of life’s experiences. With a background in  comedy and improvisation, Wilson infuses her narrative with a delicate balance of humor  and gravity. The play’s premise—a 38-year-old woman grappling with her inner “baggage”  as she approaches middle age—serves as a metaphor for the universal struggle of self awareness and acceptance. 

Wilson’s ability to blend comedy with serious themes allows the audience to experience the  complexities of existential dread with a sense of levity. Her collaboration with director  Caroline Sweet promises a dynamic and engaging theatrical experience. The play’s  structure, switching between monologues and interactions with facets of the protagonist’s  psyche, offers insight into the human condition. 

While potentially polarizing, the play’s adult themes and profanity underscore its  commitment to authenticity and raw expression. “Me, Myself, and Why (Am I Here?)”  challenges the audience to reflect on their own journeys and the personas they carry on the  voyage. It shows, yet again, how theater can provoke thought and evoke empathy. 

JS: What inspired you to write "Me, Myself, and Why (Am I Here?)? How much of the story is  drawn from your personal experiences? 

MMW:  This one woman show “Me, Myself & Why (Am I Here?)” was fully conceived from a real life  existential transformation that I actually had over the pandemic into present day. I went  into 2020 as one version of myself and through certain life events; a breakup, death of  friends, lack of progress in my career, an addiction to marijuana, came out of all of that as  another version of myself. The fascinating part of the transformation for me was that it is  still happening. I am in sort of a state of limbo from where I was into who I am becoming  and I thought it would help a lot of people to talk about the strange in between phase of  growth, acceptance, self-love and so on. 

JS: How did your background in comedy and your training at Second City Conservatory  influence the play’s development? 

MMW: Immensely! My background and training in sketch comedy and improv allows me to freely  make bold choices in my content and character development. For this show, the humor  helps heal the deep emotional wounds that the main character Maria, present day me, faced  and still faces.  

JS: The play addresses weighty issues. How (and why) do you balance intense themes of  existential crisis and self-confrontation with elements of humor? 

MMW: I am obsessed with weaving heavier emotional topics with the levity of humor, whether it’s  a film or live production. So much of life’s events dance that thin line between comedy and  tragedy and I love straddling that line and seeing what the outcome is. Mental health is a  huge topic of conversation these days and we’re just scratching the surface of what it looks  like to air out your “dirty laundry” so to speak. It felt like the appropriate time, both in my  personal life and at this point in society, to address these issues head on. Although these  topics are heavier, my hope is that the audience will have an entertaining and cathartic  experience all rolled into one. That they can identify some of their struggles in mine and  feel less alone in those struggles, while also giving them permission to laugh about it.  

JS: Can you elaborate on the baggage that your character confronts in the play? How do  these elements drive the narrative forward? 

MMW: I think to be alive, to exist, is to have baggage. We’re all carrying around our unique  emotional luggage full of different experiences that have shaped us into the human we are  in present time. I also believe that many of us are trying to hide that luggage and act like  everything is fine despite the inner demons we may battle, especially with our online aliases. So much of my real life transformation involved me finally lifting up the “rock of  baggage” and looking under it at all of the ugly, dark parts of myself that I had been running  from. Turns out, addressing the baggage is more healing than running from it. This show is  about looking at that baggage head on and addressing it in real time with no where for me  to run or hide from it any longer.  

JS: What was your collaborative process like with director Caroline Sweet? How did her  background in improv and sketch comedy enhance the production? 

MMW: Caroline Sweet is a comedic goddess and visionary. We met a decade ago performing at  Second City Hollywood in a sketch group and I’ve loved her comedic and theatrical abilities  ever since. She understands story structure very well and was able to help me weave these  themes intricately, while helping me create an arc for my character. She is also a woman  who is not afraid to address heavier issues through performance art. I knew the moment I  had the concept for the show, Caroline had to direct it and it’s the best decision I’ve made in  the process. Working with her has helped me take this concept to an elevated live  experience full of depth, humor and a variety of mediums to keep it unpredictable and fresh  throughout. 

JS: Given the play’s adult themes and profanity, how do you ensure that the content  resonates with the audience while it maintains a level of relatability? 

MMW: Women curse. Women have messy lives. Women have sexual desires. I think we are living in  a time when women are finally beginning to be viewed as multi-faceted creatures, not just  the ones who need to nurture and take care of everything and others. To put our fears,  desires and complexity on display front and center for once. I wanted to use this show as an  opportunity to express and explore the female psyche from the female perspective. The  rawness of being forced to face your inner demons and grow and mature will definitely  generate some expletives. I believe people will appreciate the raw honesty of the emotions  and feelings of the character as she faces some pretty crazy stuff. 

JS: Considering its unique audience and environment, how does performing in the  Hollywood Fringe Festival influence your approach to the play? 

MMW: The Hollywood Fringe Festival audiences are amazing! I did the Hollywood Fringe back in  2018 and they are such theatre lovers. I have used this unique theatrical experience to play  more with breaking the fourth wall and having interactive elements. I’m really excited for  the audience participation aspect of the show.  

JS: How did you transition from performing in comedies to writing and starring in a stage  production? What challenges and rewards have you encountered? 

MMW: I actually have a BA in Theatre from Rowan University and have been doing theatre since  age ten. This show is a combination of all of my theatrical and comedic training and  experience all rolled into one big live experience. The challenge for me was how to take  these lofty abstract ideas and turn them into concrete visuals and characters. The reward is  that all of my years of experience being on stage allows me to comfortably play and be  present and push boundaries. I am truly grateful for all of my teachers, professors and  colleagues over the years, who I have learned so much from. I take those experiences and  lessons with me into every artistic endeavor. 

JS: How do you hope audiences will respond to the questions raised in the play? What  conversations do you hope to spark? 

MMW: I hope people will focus on self love more and take the time to go on that journey no matter  how much time or space it requires. Society likes to give us little markers or pressures  about who we should be and when. I hope this show gives people permission, not from me  but themselves, to pursue the life they want, the way they want and to hell with what  anyone else thinks about it! Live your truth, baby!

JS: How has your journey from New Jersey to Chicago, and eventually to Los Angeles,  shaped your identity as a performer and writer? 

MMW: I have had one hell of a ride as a performer and actor. I always thought I would only be on  stage or film, but this journey led me to creating, writing, producing and directing my own  stories and that has been so rewarding. I encourage all performance artists to explore their  own voice and make their own work. Best decision I ever made was taking my artistic path  into my own hands and I have collaborated with so many brilliant, talented people over  many years. It is an honor and privilege to make art and we need to fund and support that  as a society because art is vital to the human spirit. 

TAKEAWAYS

Maria Margaret Wilson's one-woman show, "Me, Myself, and Why (Am I Here?)", is deeply rooted in her own existential transformation during the pandemic. Her experiences with personal challenges such as a breakup, the death of friends, career stagnation, and overcoming marijuana addiction have shaped the narrative. This ongoing transformation forms the core of the play, addressing themes of growth, acceptance, and self-love.

Wilson's background in sketch comedy and improv, particularly her training at Second City Conservatory, heavily influences the development of the play. She uses humor to navigate and heal deep emotional wounds, balancing intense themes of existential crisis and self-confrontation with levity. This blend of comedy and tragedy aims to provide a cathartic experience for the audience, helping them relate to and find humor in their own struggles.

Wilson emphasizes the importance of presenting raw, honest portrayals of female experiences, including profanity, messy lives, and sexual desires. She aims to challenge traditional perceptions of women by showcasing their complexities and vulnerabilities. Through her play, she seeks to spark conversations about self-love and authenticity, encouraging audiences to pursue their own truths and live their lives unapologetically.

Performances are Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (preview), Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, June 22 at 9:00 p.m. The Theatre is located at Broadwater Main Stage, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038. Tickets are $15. For more information, click here.