SummerWorks 2012: Q&A With Playwright David Lichty

I Believe In Atheists playwright David Lichty.

The thought has crossed everyone’s mind at some point: what happens when you die? Will you go to Heaven, Hell, be reincarnated in another life, or go nowhere at all? In I Believe in Atheists, writer/director David Lichty puts forth the idea that you can choose where you want to go, as long as you spend your whole life believing that this is where you will end up. The catch? You’re only told this after you die. Theatromania was fortunate enough to chat with Lichty about his unique new production, playing from August 10 at this year’s SummerWorks Performance Festival.

Theatromania: I Believe in Atheists focuses on a universal interest—life after death. What led you to write and direct a production centered around something that everyone thinks and talks about on a regular basis?

DL: Even though death is something discussed, it is often spoken about in hushed tones. Death itself is scary but what is scarier is the idea of not existing after you die. I think because of that, humans have found a way to psychologically ease the mind with the idea of “life after death.” Which leads me to wonder, how can you know what follows death and be sure? What if you’re wrong? Faith has always fascinated me because I think that on a psychological level one desperately wants to believe. I believe there is no life after death but I have no faith in that because I desperately want to be wrong. What I want to show with I Believe in Atheists is the emotional effect of someone like me being told they’re right.

Theatromania: What do you hope audiences take away from this show? How will the production change or impact their thinking?

DL: I want people to approach their beliefs honestly. Is one religious because one needs a reason not to fear death? Is one not religious because he doesn’t want to have eternal consequences for his actions? Would one still hold the same beliefs if he were told that, for sure, there was/wasn’t a life after death? The main character in the play explores these questions and hopefully, after watching, others will feel the need to explore them as well.

Theatromania: Every individual, religious or not, has their own theory about what happens after they die. Do you think this production will be appreciated by those who see it, regardless of their individual religious beliefs?

DL: No religion is wrong in this play, although no religion is completely right either. My aim is not to attack religion. I have been on the Internet; I have seen how nasty religious debates can be. If people don’t feel that their beliefs are being attacked then I think people will be able to view the play in a more objective manner.

Theatromania: How does I Believe in Atheists fit into this year’s SummerWorks lineup? Are there shows like it, or is it the only one of its kind in terms of subject matter?

DL: As far as I know, no other play this year is focusing on ideas about the afterlife. If there is, I think I Believe in Atheists will take a unique approach to examining the idea of life after death. Rather than focusing on “the what,” this play focuses more on “the why.” Instead of trying to answer, “What comes after death?” it leads us to take a closer look at why we believe what we do.

I Believe in Atheists runs from August 10 at Scotiabank Theatre at Pia Bouman. Visit SummerWorks.ca for more information and to buy tickets.

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