"Love Hurts": A Conversation with Steven McKinney (Stevie Mac) About His Latest Project

      You may know Steven McKinney better as Stevie Mac, the former lead singer of one of Beijing's most renowned bands. Yet, McKinney's abilities extend beyond music; he is also an experienced actor and a dedicated writer. Currently, he's embarking on an exciting new venture: playwriting. This April, McKinney will debut "Love Hurts", a series of six original one-act plays he penned, in which he’ll also perform in select shows.

      Produced by Cozmikk Entertainment in partnership with the acting group Lovers, Liars and Fools, "Love Hurts" delves into the complex emotions surrounding love through a blend of comedy, drama, suspense, and more. We spoke with McKinney about his new foray into stage writing, the inspiration behind the play, and what audiences can anticipate from an evening filled with both heartache and humor.

      What inspired these stories and this project? I essentially wanted to explore something new. Music had taken a back seat for a while, so I thought it was the right moment to shift my focus toward writing. While I’ve written film scripts in the past, I hadn’t truly challenged myself with stage plays, so I decided to give it a try.

      Writing has always been significant to me; it ranks right alongside singing and making music. I aim to write a bit each day to maintain my creativity. Over time, that effort resulted in six stage play scripts that received positive reviews from some insightful peers, which was incredibly encouraging.

      I'm genuinely thankful for the chance to see these works come to life and share them with an audience.

      Could you elaborate on the theme and the origin of the title "Love Hurts"? "Love Hurts" examines the various ways love can inflict pain. Love manifests in multiple forms; it can evolve through drama, suspense, comedy, and even horror. This collection traverses those emotional landscapes, depicting how love can elevate us and simultaneously break our hearts.

      The theme developed almost serendipitously. I wrote the plays without a clear idea of their connection but started to notice a recurring theme: love and heartbreak. Despite the plays being in different genres, that emotional core unifies them. Audiences can expect an emotional journey, and we genuinely believe there’s something unique in how these stories intertwine.

      While key themes include love, loss, and heartbreak, humor also plays a role. Was it important for you to balance the heavier themes with comedic moments? We’ll definitely tug at your heartstrings, and we might throw in a few surprises. The comedic pieces serve to refresh the audience and offer them a chance to enjoy a laugh. There are two comedic plays included, and I take great pride in both. We have some outstanding actors in these roles, and we are all eager to perform them.

      Out of the six plays, is there one that particularly resonates with you, or one you’re especially excited for audiences to experience? This is all new territory for me, and I’m thrilled about all six plays. My hope is that the audience becomes deeply engaged with the stories. I want them to feel something while watching. Ultimately, what more can a writer wish for than for their work to be appreciated and enjoyed?

      Can you discuss your collaboration with the acting troupe Lovers, Liars and Fools, and how their influence shaped the development of the plays in "Love Hurts"? I am an actor with the Lovers, Liars, and Fools (LLF) troupe, which was established by the remarkably talented actor and director Gregory Joseph Allen. Greg has shown immense trust in me, both as an actor and as a writer, and honestly, none of this would be happening without his encouragement and support.

      Greg's vision for LLF has always been about delivering quality performances. He encourages us to delve deeply into character development and to engage with the audience in an authentic, meaningful manner. This nurturing environment fosters growth for both performers and writers.

      Some of the plays were crafted specifically with LLF’s strengths in mind, particularly our knack for performing one-act plays. We excel on a small stage with minimal props, allowing the actors to convey the narrative and connect directly with the audience. Our ensemble includes fantastic actors, directors, and a skilled production crew. It’s truly an honor to have such talented individuals bringing these scripts to life.

      It’s been wonderful to have a platform like LLF to express my creativity. I hold the troupe in high regard, and witnessing these pieces develop within the "Love Hurts" showcase has been an incredible experience.

      Cozmikk Entertainment is presenting this production. Can you provide more details about their involvement? Cozmikk has been affiliated with LLF almost from the beginning. Greg is also one of Cozmikk's acting instructors, creating a natural synergy between the two organizations.

      For "Love Hurts", Cozmikk is overseeing the production and providing support on the production side, including rehearsal space, marketing, and a structured production

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"Love Hurts": An Interview with Steven McKinney (Stevie Mac) About His Latest Project

A presentation of six original one-act plays authored by McKinney will take place in Beijing this April.