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Q: The
artistic director is the company's visionary. What is your vision for
Journeymen Theater?
A: This
is a hard question to answer briefly. I not only have visions of creating
art that touches people's lives, challenges them, and causes people to
question their suppositions, but also create a place that enables artists to
feel valued and cared for. I have visions of a theater that is filled with
not only professionals but young people eager to learn from each other. I
have visions of creating art that can reach those people that don't have
access to the performing arts – such as the homeless or the imprisoned. I
have visions of creating a theater that nurtures emerging playwrights and
new works. And I have far-reaching visions of a retreat center for artists
of all art forms to be able to get re-charged and inspired by nature and/or
other artists pursuing their passion. The visions are large and far-reaching
and they are what fuel me.
Q: How did you get the
job?
A:
Since I am the founder of the
theater company and have been a professional actress and held almost every
other position in lots of different theaters for the past 20 years, I feel
that this is the best position for me with Journeymen Theater.
Q: What other hats
do you wear at the theater?
A:
So far, I have been a producer (all five shows), director (2 shows) and an
actress (2 shows) as well as working box office and taking out the trash.
Q: What is your day job?
A: I recently moved from
being a legal secretary at Baker Botts L.L.P. and am now an Executive
Assistant to the President and the General Counsel at the corporate
headquarters of Sunrise Senior Living. By the way - both companies have been
very supportive of the theater company!
Q:
There is no specific training that I know of to be head of a theater
company. What from your background helps you the most?
A: I
have been actively involved in many different roles in theater for the past
20 years. I have my MFA in acting and have worked as a stage manager,
director, actress, technical director (touring company), development
director as well as a props mistress. I have been able to work with
everything from new, emerging companies to the Kennedy Center and all points
in between. All of that experience, I believe has enabled me to be best
equipped to start and keep a new theater company going and on track.
Q:
How do you choose your season?
A: I
choose my season by reading lots of plays and by consulting with the company
members and artistic associates.
Q: Tell us about your
current show - how did it come to you? What has the experience been like?
A: An
Experiment With An Air Pump was given to me to read by a friend about a year
and a half ago. I knew that the minute I read it I wanted to produce it. It
has been an amazing experience to be involved as the producer for the show –
entrusting it into the hands of a wonderful director and friend, Gregg
Henry, as well as incredible talented actors, designers and crew, and watch
Gregg bring all of the elements together better than I ever could have
imagined. I am tremendously proud of this production and am humbled that it
is happening within my theater so early in our history.
Q: How do you find
actors?
A: We
hold auditions just like every other theater in town. We also attend the
League auditions to see new talent to add to our headshot books.
Q: Is there any one
production of which you are the fondest?
A: We
have only produced 5 shows and each one holds fond memories for different
reasons! I would say that out of those productions, Everyman probably is
the most special because it was the first for Journeymen Theater. It was a
time of wonderful naïve enthusiasm and passion from everyone involved and we
took lots of risks because we felt that we had nothing to lose and
everything to gain. I still try to approach every production with that
attitude but the "business" of the theater can sometimes cause me to lose
sight of all that passion which drove me to begin this crazy adventure in
the first place.
Q: If you had unlimited
resources, what play would you produce?
A: The
play that I would most like to produce if I had unlimited resources would be
A Man For All Seasons! I love this play and hope one day in the not too
distant future to be able to produce it.
Q: Now for the
illuminative, deeply personal question. If you were a mode of
transportation, what would you be?
A: Hee
hee! I would definitely be airplane – 777 to be exact. So I could go
anywhere in the world and take lots of people with me to destinations exotic
and wonderful and challenging and breath-taking!
Potomac Stages reviews of shows
of the Journeymen Theatre Ensemble as of 1-26-06:
Private Eyes
The
Colorado Catechism
The
Boys Next Door
An Experiment with an Air Pump
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