An Actor Prepares

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

And so begins the "behind the scenes" look at the rehearsal process...from an actor's point of view.

I've been cast in my first mainstage Theatre IV production! In Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter that runs January 25 - February 10. I'm thrilled. So I had this nifty idea.

Theatre IV's touring productions include a post-show Q&A. A lot of the questions that come from the students (and sometimes the parent and teachers as well) are about being an actor. One of my favorite questions...well...it was really a favorite answer...was on my very first tour with Theatre IV. This was when Theatre IV still had an arm (or a branch, if you must) in Cincinnati and I was touring in Paul Deiss' beautiful musical, The Song of Mulan. All five of us were brand new to touring and we were seeming to find our way quite nicely with some of the strange questions that would pop up from time to time. In one of the aforementioned question and answer sessions, a child asked, "How much do you get paid?" After what was probably a very brief pause that seemed much longer, I said "Qurell?" Our cast had no formal way of distributing the questions, but if one came up that was something that one actor generally answered or that one of us thought that individual would be particularly adept at answering, then we would "pass the ball" to them. I got a quick and outwardly congenial sideways glare from Qurell who prompty replied, "We do receive monetary compensation for our work. You there in the blue shirt." She moved so smoothly and swiftly on to the next child. In its telling, the story seems to be somewhat similar to a story that Jackie Jones (nee Goldberg) had told in her questionnaire blog. I'll have to revisit that.

But now I have ventured far from the path! It's so easy to do that when talking about experiences in the theatre!

My point (and I do have one. Ellen. Anybody?) is that this series of entries might be a bit of insight into an actor's process. A single actor- I should emphasize- as each has his or her own method or technique. I should also point out that, contrary to my "clever" title you will find no (at least concious) Stanislavski here. Perhaps very close to The Practical Handbook for the Actor, which is a fantastic (and on the top of my list) book about the craft of acting.

We had a readthrough with the cast, director, and designers earlier this month. The ideas that they are bringing to the table (literally) are awesome! My jaw was dropped more than once by these incredibly vivid and brilliant ideas!

For now, I sign off. Back to reading my script and working on my music. We have our first rehearsal the evening of January 2. Look for more to come!

All Quiet on the Eastern Front

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

OK, Ok, ok. I know it's really All Quiet on the Western Front, but considering that the Empire Theatre is opposite of the West End (although it's still really downtown and not East End...nevermind). Just go with me here.

So it's the day before a major holiday, so staff of Theatre IV/Barksdale Theatre are on vacation. A very wonderful gift to have a holiday break. I'm not incredibly enamored of holidays, so I thought I'd come into the marketing office and catch up on a few things that got neglected in the midst of many, many, many shows running at the same time: A Christmas Story at the Empire Theatre (closed yesterday), Moonlight and Magnolias in Barksdale Theatre's Signature Season (running through January 20), Swingtime Canteen at Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern (extended through March 2), Bifocals Theatre Project's It's a Wonderful Life on Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn's Lobby Stage and then touring around the Greater Richmond area (closed Friday), and more Theatre IV touring shows for young audiences than I even know of (the fall tours have wrapped up, but a whole new batch begins rehearsing for the spring tours very soon).

Seems that our office has gotten a bit cluttered with office supplies, brochures, a delightful bottle of craft glue that seems to have its remnants dried to the bottom, and oddly enough a set piece from what appears to be a Christmas show.

With all of the ads, playbills, voucher donations, TV commercials, and many, many other projects that come out this office (with my fabulously diligent coworker Catherine Dudley and the best boss I think I've ever had, Sara Marsden) sometimes those things get left on the table.

I guess Christmas isn't generally the time when traditionally one reflects on what one is thankful for (I guess I missed that with Thanksgiving). But as I sit here thinking about all of those things, I have to feel very grateful. I'm working in theatre with tremendously talented, generous, hardworking people that are doing great things every day- for the audiences and community in Richmond and far, far beyond.

So. Back to tidying. Thinking of all the wonderful things to come (and all the "hecticness", as well) with spring tours, Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter opening at the end of January, Doubt: A Parable opening at Willow Lawn in February, Two Short Plays in the Bifocals series in February, as well, beginning a whole new season of shows at Hanover Tavern in March, and oh, so many more events, shows, and projects that will be interspersed along the way.

It really does bring a smile to my face.

Three Hits (No Strike!) and We're In

Posted by Bruce Miller

Last Thurs, Nov 29, the strike ended and all of Broadway returned to work. The following evening, Fri, Nov 30, Theatre IV opened A Christmas Story at the historic Empire Theatre, the third mainstage opening in 15 days for the Barksdale/Theatre IV team. Today, Sun, Dec 2, the first Christmas Story review came out in the T-D, and, just as with the first two openings of our holiday trifecta, it looks like another winner coming out of the gates!

To paraphrase a song from Swingtime Canteen, “Praise the Lord and pass the approbation!”

Under the headline: “Caution: This Play Could Lead You to Fits of Laughter,” Susan Haubenstock writes, “Theatre IV’s holiday show A Christmas Story may be too funny for children. Well, too funny for them to fully appreciate. The adults who bring them to the Empire Theatre will be laughing out loud.”

Technical glitches aside (see my Opening Night coverage), Susie basically loved the whole thing: “Off Center and Always Hilarious!” “Clever Theatrical Devices!” “Incredibly Funny!” She loved our director and designers: “Director Chase Kniffen hits every laugh.” “The house set designed by Mercedes Schaum looks like it’s laughing.” “Matthew Landwehr’s lighting contributes mightily to the scene transitions.”

She especially loved our cast: “Eric Pastore has the charisma to keep our focus throughout the play’s 2 ½ hours.” “Michael Thibodeau and Eric Evans play his buddies with thorough 1938 credibility. Chandler Hurd is delightful as a coonskin-cap-wearing bully; and Lillie Izo and Lyla Rossi are wonderful as the neighborhood girls.”

“Above all, tiny R. Cooper Timberline is hilarious as Randy, whether whining, hiding, waiting for Santa, or needing to wee-wee.”

“Tony Foley plays the narrator (the adult Ralph) with heart, and Gordon Bass is perfect as the cursing, growling Old Man. Julie Fulcher’s long suffering Mother is great, and costume designer Sarah Grady even provides her with the requisite pink chenille bathrobe. And Jacqueline Jones puts in another of her high-octane performances as Ralphie’s teacher.”

If you and your kids would like a good laugh this Christmas, and who wouldn’t, please call for your Christmas Story tickets ASAP. If you’d like to revisit comic hijinks associated with the screen-writing of Gone with the Wind, please call for tickets to Moonlight and Magnolias at Barksdale Willow Lawn. And if you’d like to tap your feet and sing along to the boogie woogie hits of the 40s in a colorful recreation of a USO Christmas show, head on out to Hanover Tavern for Swingtime Canteen.

Better yet, go see all three! And remember, theatre tickets and gift certificates make GREAT Christmas and Hanukkah presents!!

See you at the theatre.

--Bruce Miller