I expected this playwright (admired for Learning to Drive) and this writer-performer (admired for his character Jomama) to be astute about theater, and they are. They also have provocative ideas about gender. “I feel – I don’t know if you agree with this – that my gender changes every day,” says Paula, “and maybe changes several times a day.” I barely change my socks every day. We spoke at the Park Avenue Armory with music from Samora Pinderhughes.

• •  PERSON: mentors
  •  PLACE: Lucas Lab, Brown Univ.
  •  THING: gender
  •  RANDY’S PEOPLE: Queen’s Company