Welcome to Script Insights! Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a playwright? In this series, you get a rare and exciting opportunity to hear directly from the authors themselves. Each article offers personal insights from the playwright, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, character motivations, and thematic explorations that bring their scripts to life.
Below, you’ll find a downloadable blog post offering valuable insights directly from the author of Be Like Water. The downloaded PDF also includes supplemental classroom activities to help you connect the play’s themes and characters with your students.
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Speaking Up, Standing Strong: The Story Behind Be Like Water
By Lucy Wang
When I was growing up, I was – you guessed it – always cast as the Chinese Dancer in The Nutcracker. Year after year, same old stale routine and same old drab costume. I was up there all by myself, too, in the spotlight, so I felt incredibly vulnerable. I longed for a chance to play someone else, to learn a new dance, wear a different costume. I auditioned, I protested, I lost. I put those days behind me.
Until one day, I heard David Sedaris on NPR reading from his Santaland Diaries, sharing his adventures working as an elf at Macy’s department store. His stories were hilarious, and I thought, hey, I have some entertaining Nutcracker Diaries! And thus, the seed for Be Like Water germinated in my imagination.
When I revisited my past performances, what stood out was how difficult it was to speak up when you disagreed with someone you trust, respect, and perhaps even love. My heart pounded in my chest, my body trembled, I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth without tripping over my sentences. I felt I had zero chance of expressing myself the right way, so I often swallowed my words.
I saw firsthand what happened when words came out wrong and adults couldn’t resolve their differences. My parents fought all the time and threw things at each other—mugs, staplers, whatever was nearby. It was scary. I worried standing up for myself would bring ridicule, punishment and a hailstorm of sharp objects. And alone (my parents ended up divorced). I didn’t want to be like them.
I also couldn’t be the groveling obsequious Chinese dancer anymore. My body conspired against me. I was so torn. Like Hamlet, I recited that To Be or Not To Be soliloquy, and decided the lesser of two evils was to quit. It hurt because I loved being part of the show, I loved being in the theater. Sad, right?
So, while it’s true that Be Like Water originated from my personal experience, I wanted to delve deeper into the story and pose profound questions that resonate with our daily lives. When is it safe and appropriate to voice our opinions? How do we effectively express our disagreements? What strategies can we employ to resolve our differences peacefully and respectfully? What actions can we take to foster positive conflict resolution? Additionally, who and where can we find role models who exemplify these qualities?
Bruce Lee, a beloved international icon, was known for many things including his philosophy to remain open, flexible, and adaptable. This is why Alex seeks Lee’s guidance: Teach me how to stand up for myself and not feel bad about speaking up. Her plea strikes a resonant universal truth. Conflict is scary because it can trigger an avalanche of strong emotions. But, what if we could show that conflict can be resolved with trust, understanding, and the building of community?
What if Alex found a way to speak up and stay in The Nutcracker? What if Alex inspired her friends to speak up, too? What if speaking up makes us more open to change?