We are in an interesting cultural moment in the United States as I write this; scandals about the abuse of power through sexual manipulation and assault proliferate in social media. A man with multiple accusers sits in the White House, while a man who was banned from an Alabama shopping mall for predatory behavior has run for the United States Senate. #Metoo ripples through our awareness, even as older women and men face the reality that their careers, their ambitions, and their visibility have already been impacted by that power for decades.
Mine certainly has been.
Do we come forward now, decades later, after our bodies, our lives, our relationships have been marked and changed by incidents long ago? Will it have impact for the young women and men, girls and boys, who endure abuses now?
Paula Vogel’s seminal play, How I Learned to Drive, originally released in 1997, is experiencing a resurgence in relevance, underscored by the release of its first stand-alone edition by TCG Books. In this poignant author’s note accompanying the new publication, Vogel delves into the play’s enduring impact and its profound connection to ongoing societal dialogues about sexual abuse, power dynamics, and the #MeToo movement. How I Learned to Drive tells the unsettling story of a young woman grappling with the complexities of being sexually assaulted by her uncle. Vogel’s reflection arrives at a crucial juncture, as contemporary culture grapples with widespread revelations of abuse and misconduct.
Vogel contemplates whether revisiting past traumas publicly, decades later, can truly effect change for current and future generations facing similar ordeals. She poignantly acknowledges the personal and professional repercussions she and many others have faced due to systemic power imbalances.
“I don’t know if I will ever again write a play that connects with such a wide demographic of audience members,” Vogel reflects, acknowledging the unique resonance of How I Learned to Drive. She connects her work to other impactful artistic endeavors like Spotlight and The Keepers, which similarly confront issues of power abuse. The play’s intimate and challenging nature has evoked varied reactions, from audience members deeply moved to those who found it too difficult to witness. Vogel recounts anecdotes of personal connections forged through the play, including heartfelt encounters and thoughtful inquiries about its emotional safety.
Despite the deeply personal and American context of How I Learned to Drive, Vogel highlights its surprising global reach. While facing perceived limitations within the American theatre scene, she notes the play’s widespread international productions, from Iceland to China, Chile, and Australia. This global embrace underscores the universality of the play’s themes, suggesting that the emotional and thematic distance between cultures is less significant than the barriers sometimes encountered closer to home.
For Vogel, How I Learned to Drive has been a transformative personal journey. She describes the play as “rewriting me,” emphasizing the cathartic and empowering nature of artistic creation. This transformative power, she asserts, is a gift of theatre and writing – the ability to transmute personal pain and hidden truths into shared understanding and community.
Vogel expresses deep gratitude for her collaborators who were instrumental in bringing How I Learned to Drive to life. She acknowledges Doug Aibel of the Vineyard Theatre, director Mark Brokaw, and actors Mary Louise Parker and David Morse for their fearless and sensitive contributions. She also extends her thanks to the original Greek chorus and all the artists and audiences worldwide who have engaged with the play, fostering its continued relevance and impact.
In closing, Vogel’s reflections on How I Learned to Drive underscore the play’s enduring power to spark crucial conversations about abuse and power. Her words serve as a testament to the transformative potential of theatre and the vital importance of confronting difficult truths collectively to foster change for future generations.
