Mashuq Mushtaq Deen (The Betterment Society, Resident Playwright at New Dramatists), is making his New York debut in the New York premiere of DRAW THE CIRCLE. The hilarious and moving story of his transition, DRAW THE CIRCLE is told entirely from the point of view of Deen’s family and friends, as portrayed by Deen, bringing to life the often-ignored struggle that a family goes through when their child transitions from one gender to another.

Mashuq Mushtaq Deen makes his New York debut at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater with Draw the Circle. This hilarious and moving story of his transition is told entirely from the point of view of Deen’s family and friends, as portrayed by Deen, bringing to life the often-ignored struggle that a family goes through when their child transitions from one gender to another. Draw the Circle is directed by Chay Yew and runs on a limited engagement until February 18. I asked Deen some questions about the development of autobiographical work and why the world needs art right now. Here are his responses. Can you tell us a little more about the origin of this work? When did you decide to write it? Was there one moment or several leading up to that decision? My friend and mentor, Laura Maria Censabella, said I had to write this play about my transition. This was back in 2007, there wasn’t much out there. My first reaction was, I don’t want to. Because I was scared. And if Laura taught me anything, it was to move towards what scares me. I tinkered with the idea for a few years, and began working on in earnest when I joined the 2009 Emerging Writers Group at the Public Theater. The play had …Read more