JASP 2026: Interview with Katy Landres, Adaptations Panelist
- Delicia Johnson
- 5 hours ago
- 7 min read
In anticipation of JASP 2026, we’re interviewing our esteemed staff and speakers. This year’s four-day symposium, JASP 2026: Pride, Prejudice, and the Pursuit of Happiness will take place June 11-14, 2026, in historic Greensburg, PA, the new JASP location for the foreseeable future. We will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by exploring topics that connect Austen's Pride and Prejudice to the revolutionary context in which it was written. Activities include workshops, small-group discussions, and lectures from renowned Austen scholars. And of course, our Regency Ball is an event not to be missed!
Our next interviewee is Katy Landres, who will be one of the adaptations panelists at JASP 2026. Katy teaches English at Forsyth Technical Community College and proudly advises the Creative Writing and PRIDE Clubs. As a devoted fan of film and 18th‑century literature, she integrates both into her composition classes to spark curiosity and push students to think in fresh, unexpected ways. Her classroom is a space where narrative stories, on the page and on the screen, become tools for imagination, critical thinking, and self‑expression. This will be Katy's third year attending JASP, having attended JASP in both 2023 and 2025. Her presentation is titled 'Fire Island (2022): Queer Possibilities in Pride and Prejudice'.
What will your presentation be about?
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice has long drawn readers from all walks of life inviting them to join in the critique of close-knit friendships, societal expectations, and the resistance to economic marriage. This presentation examines how Fire Island (2022) reimagines Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice through a queer modern lens. By condensing Austen’s plot into a week‑long vacation among a chosen family, the film showcases themes already present in the novel like chosen kinship, homosocial bonds, pride as self‑protection, while prejudice as judgment of non‑normative desire. By closely examining parallels in character arcs, narrative structure, and key scenes, my talk argues that Fire Island not only honors Austen’s original critique of social performance and marriage expectations but also expands it, demonstrating the novel’s enduring adaptability and the value of queer connection over conventional norms.
What inspired this topic?
A few years ago, after watching the season finale of SNL, my partner pointed out that Bowen Yang, one of the prominent SNL actors at the time, was going to be in a Pride and Prejudice adaptation. Of course, being a film nerd, I was curious. I did some quick searches and found the Hulu trailer and press interviews of Yang and Joel Kim Booster talking about "Fire Island". Booster, being a Janeite themselves, felt this would really connect with the already large LGBTQ+ community that loves her work. After watching the film during Pride Month 2022, I was captivated by how relatable the story was and how, even today, Jane Austen could be seen through different lenses. Same story, but with rainbows and unconventional social norms.
Film stills from Fire Island (2022); dir. Andrew Ahn
It wasn't really until I was attending JASP 2023 and Heather King and I got talking about how great Fire Island was and to see a queer take on an Austen classic. We chatted and bounced a few talking points around. Then, I became the PRIDE advisor at my community college. I shared my love for the adaptation with my PRIDE students who then went and read Pride and Prejudice.
It wasn't really until I reconnected with Heather at JASP 2025 that things really started to come together. We were talking more about my involvement as a PRIDE advisor, more about Fire Island, and of course, the queen herself (Jane Austen). She mentioned maybe I should talk about it as someone from the LGBTQ+ community. Upon returning home, I rewatched the film as it was now tradition during Pride Month to watch Fire Island. My partner and I started chatting about how many queers deal with issues that women in Austen's time experienced. This really got the gears going. I went back to my copy of Pride and Prejudice and began my descent into unraveling and piecing together what Booster and Austen were trying to tell me. For a while I went back and forth between possible topics and how I could really present Austen and her connection to the LGBTQ+ community with Fire Island as the connecter. That's when everything seemed to click: the use of the themes (socio-economic status, formed kinship, self‑protection, judgment of non‑normative desire. etc.) and the character arcs being mirrored almost one-to-one. I probably rewatched the film over 50 times before it all made sense. I just had to share my understanding and appreciation for the queer interpretation that Booster was bringing to the world with my fellow Janeites.
What do you enjoy most about Pride and Prejudice?
There are somethings I can say that I love about Pride and Prejudice, but I think what I love most of all it shows how complicated and difficult it can be to share one's feelings. As someone who has always been shy, I could relate to Jane, but also Elizabeth who is a fire-cracker willing to not to put up with anything but trusting her own heart (or maybe not). Plus, I come back to this story and its many film adaptation like a warm blanket. Its comfort and solace, especially when the world seems so bleak.
When it comes to characters, I have two favorites: Elizabeth and Mr. Bennett. As someone who is a bit of a daddy's girl, I love how Mr. Bennet many times in the text reminds me of my own father who loves working and tending to things without being bothered and is willing speak his mind, most of the time. Also, when I started loving Jane Austen, sometimes when my mother put the 2005 adaptation on, my dad would sit and watch it me. He would remark how he really like and agreed with Mr. Bennet. And of course, our leading lady, Elizabeth (Lizzy). Lizzy is a character who no matter what adaptation I read, or watch, is the strongest and most relatable woman I have ever connected with in literature. She doesn't put up with anything, she speaks her mind, and yes, at times, she feels the loneliness of age and the reality of her situation. But she doesn't back down. I am very much Team Lizzy!
Film stills from Pride and Prejudice (2005); dir. Joe Wright
Now, I will say that one of my favorite scenes from the book is when Lizzy rejects Mr. Collins proposal and Mr. Bennet stand up for her. This scene to me shows that even though he wants what's best for his daughters and to see them happily married, that he does have his limits. Lizzy is definitely his favorite daughter aside from Jane, but that is because he sees so much of himself in her. Seeing her unhappy would be his undoing and we cannot see Mr. Bennet unhappy.
Film stills from Pride and Prejudice (2005); dir. Joe Wright
Why do you think Pride and Prejudice continues to resonate with audiences? How do adaptations contribute to the novel's longevity in the public consciousness?
P&P continues and will continue to resonate with audience because of what it speaks to. Many of the world's issues that we face today are things that Austen was speaking to centuries ago. It's hard to believe that we have to think about marriage, prospects, and finding our voice in today's day and age. She is timeless and will continue to be a constant reminder of what we can do when we push the boundaries of normal conventions to have a voice.
I believe this translated into many of the adaptations of her works: whether it is novels, films, tv series, or podcast/web-series, Austen is available and accessible to all audiences. Film adaptation, to me, makes it more tangible to audiences who may not understand the text. As someone who struggled to read in my youth, watching the films and mini-series adaptations helped me dive deeper and analyze the characters on a non-judgmental level while also comparing them to the original text. Seeing certain scenes and the reactions of the characters live made them real to me!
What do you hope attendees gain from your presentation?
I want people to see that even though we are seeing more and more adaptations of Austen, that even the queer community is in on showing Jane some love. It is because of her we are able to see ourselves on the pages of her novels, and even in today's world. Her legacy has resonated beyond the boundaries of race, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation. Jane is about love and even us queers need some love. I hope people see that this adaptation is worth a watch.
Which JASP activity are you most looking forward to and why?
I am looking forward to the plenary and close reading discussion as we explore and further understand the text and how it relates to the 250th anniversary of our country. Also, I cannot wait to attend the JASP Regency Ball and Tea Demonstration with my fellow Janeites as these experiences are bring us closer to Jane and together and a community. But I think I am most excited is explore Fort Ligonier as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country. I grew up going to museums and historical forts with my father and have always wanted to see more of our great nation's history and origin story.
Why should people support JASP?
JASP is an amazing opportunity to examine and understand the works of Jane Austen not just as a scholar, but as an admirer of her work. This is not just a program, it is an extraordinary community full of scholars, educators, and admirers of Jane Austen who want to celebrate her life and legacy. As an educator, who has attended this program twice, I cannot say enough wonderful things about this experience and that more people should support the great work and communal knowledge of this organization.
Since 2013, our annual, award-winning symposium has attracted lovers of Jane Austen from all walks of life. Attendees spend four days in person with fellow scholars and fans to explore one topic or novel in greater depth for an unforgettable experience. Your donations help keep pricing as low as possible.
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