INTERVIEW: ‘Dear John’ is a ‘healing balm’ for immigrant families
Image courtesy of HERE Arts Center / Provided by Emily Owens PR with permission.
Rachel Lin’s new solo work, which she wrote and stars in, is called Dear John and centers on a journey to heal old wounds and the attempt to reach another person, time and time again. Lin calls the show a healing balm for immigrants and their families.
In the show, which continues through March 19 at the HERE Arts Center in New York City, the audience follows a recent college graduate trying to move out of her mother’s house, according to press notes. What derails her next step in life is a mysterious Facebook message from a man named John … her father.
Lin is based in the United Kingdom, where she’s an actor, writer and filmmaker, according to her official biography. As an actor, she has appeared in Women by Chiara Atik and Mary-Kate Olsen Is in Love / Ajax by A.R. Gurney, among others. She recently exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox and opened up about the personal tale in Dear John. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Are you generally a very open person who doesn’t mind sharing personal details, or are you outside your comfort zone with this play?
Definitely outside my comfort zone! I’m British and Chinese, two quite repressed cultures. Add that to my legal status growing up, there were few situations where I felt comfortable sharing personal information about myself. It’s been a huge learning curve in terms of my artistic development. That said, I’ve always admired artists who are able to be deeply personal with their audiences. It’s such an act of generosity.
When did you realize this family story could be adapted for the stage?
As I was traveling to London to meet my father for the first time (spoiler alert), I thought, this is a pretty unique experience and one that may be worth writing about. To me, the story feels like a snapshot of a very specific time (the early days of social media) and the way this new “connectedness” had some very real outcomes. I was excited to explore that.
What are your thoughts and emotions when performing such a personal work?
“Is the audience with me?” is usually what I’m thinking. The audience is my first priority. While the details of the story are personal, the experience we’re sharing together in the theater is collective. “How are they receiving this?” is always where my mind is, and if they’re having a good time, then, I’m having a great time. If not, well, you can find me at the bar after the show.
Do you hope the story proves universal and can connect with the lives of audience members?
Absolutely. Ultimately, this show is about parents and children, and our expectations of one another. Whether you grew up with a single parent, like me, both parents or parental figures, you will (hopefully) be able to relate. If not, then, good for you! You’ve probably saved a lot of money on therapy.
What are the ultimate takeaways from experiencing Dear John? What are some lessons to be learned?
The biggest takeaway, I hope, is that we’re all just doing the best we can. The other takeaway (really more a reminder) is that the immigrants that make up our city, the people you pass on the street every day who are doing what they can to get by, are not to be overlooked. They have rich personal histories worthy of being told.
Will your family see the piece?
Some of them. The ones that I’ll be speaking to at the next family gathering. Just kidding. My mom will definitely see the piece. As for my extended family, I hope so. Language is definitely a barrier for many of them, and the truth is, we don’t have the resources right now to make this piece accessible to audiences who might not speak English as a primary language. But maybe we will in the future.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Dear John, written by and starring Rachel Lin, continues through March 19 at the HERE Arts Center in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.
