20 Jul F30 Countdown – Rendah Heywood

With seventeen days left on our countdown, let’s introduce another one of our talented finalists, Rendah Heywood!

Rendah is an actor from London, currently residing in NYC. She has appeared in numerous productions at The National Theatre London, working with directors including Marianne Elliott, Howard Davies and Nick Hytner.

In the US she has performed in Refugia at The Guthrie Theater, King Lear at BAM, This Time at The Sheen Center and in Cuddles for Brits Off Broadway at 59E59. She has participated in workshops/rehearsed readings at Noor Theatre, The Lark Theater and EST.

In TV, Rendah has appeared in Doctors, EastEnders, and Holby City for the BBC.

When did you start writing plays? If you had a moment where you realized you wanted to write, what was it?

Last year. After years and years of contemplating, procrastinating and time-wasting.

How did you come to write your OOB play? Was there a particular inspiration behind its creation? How has it developed?

I was temping at an investment company on Park Avenue between gigs. On the day after the election, I found myself in an elevator with 5 celebratory males and I felt an overwhelming urge to write down their comments. 

What are 5 words that describe who you are as a playwright?

Green, dissentious, unnerved, curious, terrified.

What/who are some of the major influences on your writing?

Privilege in all it’s forms. Identity. Authority. Mae West. Charlie Brooker

What’s one fact someone would never guess about you?

The first record I bought was The Best of Doris Day. 

What are some of your favorite plays?

Educating Rita, Fences, Her Naked Skin, Oslo, Home, Fleabag, Hedda Gabler, West Side Story, An Inspector Calls.

Any new projects you’re working on or shameless plugs?

I wish I had something to write here. I’ll work on that.

Her play The Grievance Club will be performed on August 9th at 8:30pm. It centers around a woman who interviews for an elite and mysterious members’ club.