Theatah

Into the Woods

Careful the things you say, children will listen.

I had a fabulous time performing Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods with Saint Mark's Drama Ministry last fall. I've been fortunate to be cast in the last four productions and each time, no matter the size of the role, I learn that I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit. There was a time when I thought leaving my passion for performing at the backstage door but through Saint Mark, I've been able to grow as an artist and find a spiritual balance as well. Broadway may be a thousand miles away but the footlights burn just as bright here in Atlanta!

The following shots are from our production of Into the Woods. You'll also find shots from To Kill A Mockingbird and Anything Goes. Many, many thanks to Rick Gore, who donates his time and effort to capturing each show for posterity and providing us without head shots free of charge.

To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird, directed by Mike Beecham, was an exercise in breaking down my emotional barriers as an actress. As Helen Robinson, I had about 8 speaking lines. It wasn't I said that had to translate with authenticity but what I did instead. Mike's directorial style involves many stops and starts during the rehearsal process and when my most important scene (when Helen needs to confirm the rumor that Tom has been killed) began, often he would stop to guide our young actors. I was already very afraid of showing the kind of emotion needed with authenticity and the pauses made it difficult for me to get to the place I'd created to make my performance effective. Now mind you, I am no fabulous thespian and I still don't know if I see what Mike sees, but I really wanted to work honestly. In real life, I rarely cry in front of others and that reserved behavior has always made me step away from projects that require deeper emotion for fear of feeling like a fool. Each performance took a lot out of me emotionally but I am glad I tore down that brick wall. I still don't cry in front of people but that is probably a session for my therapist... that is, if I had one. Enjoy...

Anything Goes

In olden days a glimps of stocking was looked on as something shocking but now god knows... ANYTHING GOES!

Diane Hasse and I worked at the same real estate brokerage in 2007. One day we began chatting about music and theater and although until that point we'd mostly shared pleasantries and nods hello, I found we shared similar interests. Diane went on to mention that her church was staging a production of Anything Goes and had even begun tap classes for those who might consider auditioning but whose tap skills weren't the best. She asked me to keep auditioning in mind. Since I hadn't performed in 10 years, the thought kind of came and went. This was February and auditions weren't until the following August. August arrives and Diane surely does send me a trusty reminder. On Audition day, traffic was so horrendous. I toyed with the idea of just detouring home but I made it with minutes to spare. Luckily, the audition process at Saint Mark is very simple. You aren't expected to prepare a monologue and 32 bars of music. You cold read and sing from the libretto and do a little movement. That helped ease me tremendously. That and the fact that I heart Cole Porter. So, I danced, sang and read and went home. I figured it would be nice to get a dancing part and maybe loose some weight... if I even got a part. Three weeks later, I see Diane at work and with a mischievous smile, she asks if I've seen my email. I said, "Not yet today". "Well you might want to take a look since you are my Reno Sweeney", she said. Needless to say, I was floored. I didn't belong to the church and I hadn't done anything in so long, surely I has hearing her wrong. Long story short, I returned to theater and performing with a great group of people. Today, I call Saint Mark United Methodist Church my home now, for theater and worship. I am very glad I didn't take that detour home!