Last night we opened Elysium Interrupted for a VERY short run of just 2 days. I am so delighted by how this show has turned out, and I'll have pictures online very soon. I wanted to share my Director's Note from the program:
Recently, I heard writer Pat Wynn Brown on WOSU. During an interview with Ann Fisher, Brown asked her audience not to be the star in the film of their lives, but to be the writer of that film. Immediately I thought of this play—because this is exactly what each of the characters here are on about. The problem, though, facing both of our heroes—Hermia and Anton—is one of visibility. Anton wonders how one can successfully write the story of their life if nobody will read it. Hermia is constantly fighting against her understanding that, even if she writes her own life, circumstances will always relegate her to the sidelines. Last summer, I walked through a parking lot with my amazing friend Jill Summerville. As I helped guide her wheelchair, a man with 2 lovely dogs approached us. The man looked directly over Jill’s head, and asked ME if she might like to pet the dogs—then crouched to her and, speaking like one would to a child, told her that the “doggies were friendly.” For the first (and sadly not the last) time, I saw first-hand how Jill’s physical circumstances will always color how others see her. The luckiest of us will get to know Jill, to understand how brilliant and profound and delightful she is. Too few will even venture to try.
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Rehearsals are going very well still...we're balancing hectic schedules, Thesis defenses (BREAK A LEG, Allison!), and--apparently--the plague (my whole family is sick, although since I am too busy to be sick, I am not--despite the cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, and sinus pressure).
I am struck, today, by the ability negotiate a terribly short rehearsal process when one has very talented and very experienced actors. It seems as though, even though we are wildly short on time and availability, we'll certainly make it. There is no way this would be true without the cast I have on this project. It also makes me ashamed that I have not named them here on this blog--so here you go: Hermia: Jill Summerville Danielle (Dan): Allison Brogan Anton: Mark Hale Jr. It is a tremendous honor that Jill entrusted this piece to me for its world premier. I hope that you will come and check it out, if you are able. Here's the info so you can come and see us: Elysium Interrupted by Jill Summerville directed by C. Austin Hill May 14 - May 15 Tix HERE (they will be available very soon) |
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March 2013
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