Kristoffer Diaz and The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity

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Sometimes you meet people and their talent is so obvious, it’s undeniable. When Kristoffer Diaz came in to tape his Guest DJ Project set, it was instantly clear to me that he had things to say and the drive and personality to bring it to a large audience in whatever form he chooses.

And even though his Pulitzer prize-nominated play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity breaks some major rules of theater (that whole 4th wall thing) it is clear he loves theater as his medium of choice and is determined to inject some new life and energy into it.

Last night, I was privileged to be at the opening of the LA run of the play and it had the feel of a stadium rock show more than a stuffy seated affair. I’m far from a theater critic, but anyone who chooses hip hop as the opening music and can include so much thoughtful political/cultural commentary in such an entertaining experience gets my vote.

He is definitely an artist to keep your eye on and if you’re curious as to what music has inspired his work, check out his Guest DJ set here.

In this snippet, talking about the song “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, he tells us about his journey as a playwright and how he kept his romance alive:

Kristoffer Diaz on the KCRW Guest DJ Project by KCRW