
The Same 10 Questions We Always Ask
If you've been following this blog for awhile, you'll have noticed a lot of different actors' answers to the these 10 questions. Actors are always welcome to write their posts about whatever topic inspires them, and we like to include entries about all aspects of our productions, from design and tech to language, analysis and history. When they're asked to write for this blog, actors can also chose from a list of prompt questions about their character(s) development and actin


Character and Process Questions with Bruno Streck Rodrigues
Character Questions: 1. Pick three adjectives that describe your (major) character and explain why you chose them. Playing Hortensio has been a very fun journey so far. In the beginning of the production, I asked Kat how she imagined Hortensio, and what I got back was something amongst the lines: Hortensio was the expected suitor for Bianca to marry in the beginning, yet she showed no interest. Figure out what that means. After reading the text and studying Hortensio, I came


Character and Process Questions with Lauren Ashley
Character Questions: 4. What was the last role you played (for Pigeon Creek or any other company)? Describe some key differences between that character and your current character: Going from character to character is always a challenge. The last role I played was a middle aged woman, going from that to a young man was interesting. Being youthful and full of energy, even the way I walk and stand was different. I like to watch the mannerisms of different people while I'm at my


Character and Process Questions with Ashley Normand
Process Questions: 1. What made you want to be an actor? I actually didn't realize I wanted to be an actor until I was already doing it. When I was in middle school, my friends convinced me to audition with them for Seussical: The Musical. I wasn't too keen on it at first, but somehow I got cast (as Cindy Lou Who, I might add), and had an absolute blast! I essentially just got to spend my evenings playing around with a bunch of great, talented kids. That was ten years ago now


Director's Notes: The Taming of the Shrew
On my first attempt to sit down and write some “director’s notes” I wrote about 500 words about the process of directing, my education and inclination as a director, and whether or not Shakespeare needs a director at all (that may end being publish as a separate blog entry). I think the reason my “director’s notes” turned into Notes On Directing rather than Notes On the Play is because I conscientiously avoided imposing any sort of personal interpretation on this production.


The Strategic Madman
I’ve started and stopped writing this post four times now. Not because I don’t have anything to say, but because I have way too much to say. I love playing Petruchio. He has been a bucket list role of mine since college, and I never thought I would have the opportunity to play him. When I think of Petruchio, my mind inevitably goes to the first man I watched play him, Marc Singer of Beastmaster fame. Say what you want about the movie, Singer was a monster of a man, which info


Getting Tamed
Since I was 14 years old, I’ve dreamed of playing Katharina. It all started when I was in the chorus of a production of “Kiss Me Kate.” As I watched the leads rehearsing, I was far more interested in the scenes that were pulled directly from Shakespeare’s play than the upbeat and campy musical numbers that peppered the show. I went home after rehearsal and read the play. As an actor, I find Katharina appealing because of the strength of her language and the quickness of her t