I am my own wife response

Chase Knueven
Charlotte Von Mahlsdorf was a German transvestite during both regimes of the Nazis
and the Communists. I feel if I had to be that open in a time like that, it would be scary,
which I am sure it was for her. But reading throughout the play you get a sense of such
bravery, to have survived through these terrible times being completely open to everyone
she met. It was really amazing to read. In the play, we see that Charlotte was a possible
informer for the Stasi (the communist secret police). Its never really cleared up in the
show; we get Charlottes side of the story as well as official Stasi reports, which
contradict themselves. Whether or not that she was an informer or not, I feel, isnt for me
to judge. When I read the play, I saw a woman who did what she thought she had to do.
And in such times, good people may do things they are not proud of. When I first started
to read the play, I thought it was interesting that she was a collector of odds and ends type
things, because she herself is a rarity in the world, and she let the public come to see her
antiques, she invited them into her home and her life. Reading all the staging and
character choices given by the playwright, it seemed important that the show be done by
one actor. If it werent important, the playwright wouldnt have written it in! To me I
think it is important that it is Charlotte telling her story, it isnt just words that are given
to certain characters at certain times. Each and every role is done by Charlotte herself
when you see the show, it gives her the power over everyone else, even the playwright
Doug Wright. In theatre and acting we talk about which character has the power, in this
play, except for one moment, Charlotte always has the power. The one scene where she
does not is when she is overrun by media outlets asking Charlotte about everything about

the Stasi and being an informant. But then you realize that all drama is conflict, and that
doesnt happen with one person with the power, and being that the only time that
Charlotte doesnt hold the power is when the media attacks her, the major conflict of the
play is precisely that, Charlotte versus the media, or more appropriately, how others see
her. I feel why this play won not only the Pulitzer, but also many other drama awards was
for several reasons. It dealt with a sensible topic of homosexuality and a transvestite
character, it also, like Doubt, made you leave thinking. If a play can leave you thinking
about the actual story and messages, then it has done its job, it sticks with you, and you
are a different person when you leave your seat after curtain call.

Pulitzer Prize Questions

1. Who makes the announcement of the prizes? Where are they announced?
a.

President of CU, Columbia University

2.Who currently serves on the Pulitzer Prize Advisory Board?

Danielle Allen, Randell Beck, Robert Blau, Lee C. Bollinger, Katherine
Boo, Steve Coll, Gail Collins, John Daniszewski, Joyce Dehli, Junot Daz, Steven
Engelberg, Paul Gigot, Steven Hahn, Quiara Hudes, Aminda Marques Gonzalez,
Eugene Robinson, Keven Ann Willey, Mike Pride
3.How many terms/years can Pulitzer Prize Advisory Board members serve?
Three year term
4. What are the dates of eligibility for being considered for the Pulitzer Prize for
Drama.
12/31/14
5. How many people serve on the jury for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
5 people
6. Who are the jury members for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama this current
year? If you can find, then see if you can find the jury for 2014.
Jill Dolan, David Auburn, Karen Dsouza, Dominic P. papatola, Alexis Soloski