The raw material for Rachel Bonds’s writing comes from many sources. For Curve of Departure, she crafted her characters and plot from personal relationships as well as stories that caught her interest, knitting together stories of ordinary people facing extraordinary decisions. She drew on a wealth of affection and observation she’d made of her father and grandfather for the character of Rudy, who grew up in the lower east side. But for the critical decisions that Rudy and Linda face (and are keeping from Felix, Rudy’s grandson and Linda’s son), and the secrets that Felix and his boyfriend Jackson are keeping from Linda and Rudy, she found her inspiration from non-fiction sources.
Fair warning that these articles contain spoilers, as well as insight into the craft, focus, and creative transformation Bonds brings to her play-making. You won’t want to read the titles of these articles unless you want some sense of what might be stirring under the strained and polite greetings of the family.
“Many of the saddest moments in my life have also been the most funny”
Rachel Bonds speaking with South Coast Rep’s Associate Artistic Director, John Glore, about Curve of Departure, her writing process, and collaborations with director Mike Donahue.
Rudy, Linda, and the Path Ahead
This is a New York Times article from 2015 about a Cornell psychology professor, her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and the web of people she brought together as she navigated the last five years of her life.
Extraordinary Choices and Accidental Parenting
While half-thinking about the play, Rachel heard this episode of the podcast The Longest Shortest Time. It gave shape to the circumstances and relationship stakes—for two of her characters.