From Mathematics to Playwriting

As a mathematics major, Laylage Courie's college classes were characterized by theories and logic. In her senior year, Courie '94 took a class that she says changed her life. "I started writing at Agnes Scott and studied playwriting with Associate Professor Dudley Sanders. I also studied at the Academy Theatre with Pamela Turner, an adjunct instructor," Courie explains.

Those courses were the catalysts that led Courie to write fear, a triptych featuring three separate plays: ghosts, blood and snakes. The plays premiered in Atlanta this past spring. "Each play is like a panel in a triptych: depicting two anonymous players struggling with death, change, their own terrifying need, each other," Courie says.

In addition to composing the triptych, the Agnes Scott alumna acted in the play which was reviewed by both the Atlanta Journal/Constitution and Creative Loafing. "Acting feels very natural to me; it's my focus right now."

Sabina Angel, who directed fear says, "Laylage envisioned herself in that triptych. Her writing has a natural rhythm that parallels mathematical equations." Angel works closely with Courie at MultiShadesAtlanta, which produces and presents theatre, video and written work, primarily by women of diverse backgrounds. Courie is a founding member of the company.

Courie feels her writing and performance endeavors are a "summation of all the courses I studied at Agnes Scott." Her math background translates easily into writing. "Math taught me a disciplined thought process. It helps me with structure and enables me to take a logical approach when writing."

--Nancy Moreland, from Main Events, December, 1996