This was my first time getting to work with an intimacy choreographer, and it was truly refreshing and freeing. Knowing and respecting people's boundaries should be job one in theatre, and there are so many places that just don't care about such things. Wayward Artist also is committed to diversity, which I am fully in support of. Our cast and crew looked like our country. It was diverse and inclusive. I love that there is finally a shift in theatre towards being more inclusive, and to stop thinking that white is the default casting. Maybe as a cis-white man this could cause me to miss out on roles, but I'm ok with that. There are no shortage of parts in the world that I can play, and I want every actor to feel that same way. What every actor needs is opportunity. Opportunities to get those 10 thousand hours to become masters of their craft. This has been denied for too long.
I also love the teaching element that is naturally baked into this company. It's a group of educators and they have a partnership with Chapman. We had a talkback Saturday night with Chapman students and they were so smart and insightful. It was a good time.
When I first learned that we were going to have a minor in the cast, I was a little nervous. Not only is the subject matter of the play very adult, but the only times I've every worked with children were when I was one, and when I was in grad school and there was somebody literally titled a "child wrangler." But we had our first read through and I learned that this 15 year old was not only up to the task, but was maybe the best actor in the company. Remember the name Jacqueline Jade. I know that this business is crazy and it's hard to "make it," but she really is a gifted actor. Plus she's professional, intelligent, mature, and a joy to work with. I'm a fan. And everybody who came to see this show left with that same sense of wonder at how somebody so young could be so good. There's talent and there is craft. I have some of the first and a lot of the second. Jackie has all of the first and a good amount of the second and she's only going to keep on gaining craft. Watch out! She's an actor beast!
I loved working with Jovi, and Wyn. I didn't get to work with Ronnit, but I loved watching his growth during the run. And, of course, Craig was the driving force of the production. He's the same kind of director as I am (although far more talented on that front). He not only encourages collaboration, but actually seeks out the opinions of those with whom he works. (I ended a sentence earlier with a preposition, I couldn't do it again). There's no ego in the best theatre. The best theatre is a collaboration and it doesn't matter where the idea came from (dammit, grammar), the idea that helps the play be the best it can wins!
I'm still amazed at the production values that this little theatre was able to achieve. Gifted designers and technicians, many of whom are students. crushed it! Intimate theatre with this level of technical expertise is basically a unicorn. I'm so happy I found this, and I will be back! You have been warned. I will be back!
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