Meet Mark Weatherley - 2018 ETC Labbie

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Eggs on toast and tea

Is that a usual choice?

There's nothing much usual in my life, including breakfast.

When did you know that writing was a path for you? 

When I realized I was compelled to do it, whether anyone was listening or not.

What are the first stages in writing a character? Do you take inspiration from life? Do you hear them in your head? 

For me, mapping out the inner landscape of the character - their wants, needs, aspirations. I like to go from the inside out. I do take inspiration from life, but since I look at life a little sideways anyway things often come out a little warped. I hear my characters in my head because I force them all to act out their lines for me in the vast rehearsal hall that is my brain. Then the writer in me curses them for not saying it right.

You have a wonderful sense of humour and that comes through in your writing.  Who or what inspires this? 

Thank you! I suppose the smart answer is that I don't take anything too seriously. The honest answer is that all my life, I never really cared if people thought I was smart, talented, attractive, charming or whatever - I just wanted to make them laugh.

What was the most challenging part of the ETC Musical Theatre Lab?

Probably the pressure to create immediately with people you'd never met before. But that was also what made it so bracingly exciting.

What was the most rewarding part of the ETC Musical Theatre Lab?

See above. And also the opportunity to work with such inspiring and inspired fellow creators - and I'm not trying to kiss any ass here, it's true.

If your life was a musical, what would the title be? 

Jack Ass.