How Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ investigation into family drama led to “Appropriate”

“What is American Drama? What is Drama? What is American about American drama?” asked playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins over a decade ago.

In his research, the playwright came across an explanation that resonated. “The American theatrical tradition, in the context of the worldwide (theatrical) tradition, is known for having really nailed the family drama – that our greatest contribution to the canon at large is a thorough analysis of the family and its relationship to the social,” Jacobs-Jenkins explained. “The argument had to do with the fact that there is this idea of ​​America – this nation of immigrants – (where) people come from and the only social unit they have is their family. And so everything is played out in this network of people.”