Denise B. Flemming Interview

WINTERKILL is an engrossing one-woman mystery written and performed by Denise B. Flemming.  It tells the tale of the dubious past of a successful professor.

 Denise B. Flemming is a Chicago native.  She began her artistic career at Hull House Theater. After completing her B.A she attended the University of Iowa where she studied stage lighting. Her passion was play writing and acting but she wanted to be VERY aware of the technical aspects around her. After completing her studies, she attended the University of Southern California for an MFA in acting.  She is a member of the League of Professional Theater of Women, N.A.C.A  and P.O.W.E.R.

Every artist has a mission for their artistic endeavors.  Ms. Flemming’s mission is reflective.  “My mission as an artist is to reflect humanity. I am a mirror. I want to show you where we are, so that the audience can arrive at their own truth.”

It was Ms. Flemming’s interest in crime and criminal justice that sparked the writing of this play.  “The inspiration of WINTERKILL came from my interest in the MANSON murders, The Belly of the Beast, and several newspaper articles.”

Ms. Flemming tackles difficult and uncomfortable topics in her writing.  Addressing these issues through art can sometimes be thought provoking and can lead to enacting positive change.  “I write about topics that BOTHER me. And my other scripts such as ECLIPSE is about discrimination and racism, and HEADLINE focuses on senior abuse and loneliness.”

Ms. Flemming relates to and internalizes the characters that she creates.  “I learn about myself by creating and writing my characters. I feel their pain, their addictions, how society views them. Also, I alone have to feed, protect and provide for myself as these characters.”

Ms. Flemming would like to raise awareness of the topic that is presented in WINTERKILL.  “My hope for WINTERKILL is that audiences realize this topic remains in our newspapers, television and society. It cannot be overlooked or forgotten. It continues to happen. Therefore, it BOTHERS me.  I must continuously remind/reflect this topic.”